Well, it’s the same thing that some fundamentalist fathers are doing to their daughters.

It seems like child abuse to me- just let the kid be a kid, not some freaky, ostracized symbol of his father’s moral righteousness.

Hmmm…think I will pass on the video. Wouldn’t want to break my string of never having seen any of this show.
While I respect their conscious decision, it does seem creepy to me, as I was very interested in girls, long before the short and curlies showed up.

is much better. i can’t stand this show but laughed my ass off at this dude. he wrote a great song and though he’s not a very good singer, he gave a convincing performance. notice how he ignores simon, who seems to be more offended than paula, who actually seems flattered/amused.

there is a new movement in the christian community – it encourages kids not to go steady – date – ect – because this is practicing DIVORCE – they stay pure until marriage – the way it used to be – back when there was very little divorce – seems like a good idea – there are plenty of things for kids to do today besides have sex….

donna,
i’m not sure if i agree with the whole “practicing divorce” sentiment. it seems a bit like amature phsychobabble. i’m sure preston will be chiming in soon to educate you on reasons for increases in divorce stats other than kids soiling their purity.
i also agree that kids can do lots of stuff besides screw. if families want to encourage this thinking, who am i to tell people how to raise their kids?

I don’t think any of you guys have the right to say the things you do about Bruce. You don’t even know him.
I say you get some more facts before you go making accusations about someone. And the first fact you should know is that he is NOT gay! Far from it!
You have absolutely no clue what the purpose of the whole purity thing is about because the world has twisted the purpose of sex.
They see it as something pleasurable and so it must be “good”.
Now they say it’s okay and that you should do it.
The purpose of sex was to be saved for marriage but the world has turned it into what they wanted out of it and now kids are being raised thinking that it is for whenever and wherever.
Bruce is very brave to do what he did and I congradulate him for stepping out. There are people out there that are striving for the same goul but won’t admit it because they are scared that the world will make fun of them like they are making fun of Bruce.

Yeah, I know this family and they are a great family. Bruce is SO not gay! That is an abomination to God and that is who he holds himself accountable, so try talking about something you know about…not much to say now huh!

That is an abomination to God and that is who he holds himself accountable,

When the heat is on, find another scapegoat! Very Christian of you JM!

Calm down kids. I was pretty clear that I don’t have any problem with teens abstaining from sex and waiting for marriage.

Nothing wrong or creepy about that at all.

What I did find incredibly creepy is his dad wearing the little heart locket that matches Bruce’s key.

Perhaps you kids don’t understand why now…but when you get older, you’ll get it.

I don’t think “you” get it Robbie.
The heart and the key are merely symbolic.
It is there to remind Bruce of his promise to save himself for marriage.
I’d like to hear your explanation of what you “think” it is.
I have been Bruce’s friend since as long as I can remember and I am 17. He is not in the least bit weird and he is a very great guy and I plan to back him all the way.

Wow you guys, that is quite shocking, i never realized that having an awesome retationship with your dad is creepy!! When did that happen?!
This guy, to me, really could be an american idol, not just for his voice but for being such an awesome romodel! I have the same standards as him! I don’t get how you guys can just slam this guy down for having better morals than you! imagine how happy his future wife will be knowing that he has saved everything he has just for her, she was the only one that is love and kisses and sex was for!
Not to go sharing it all with other girls that he is just practically practicing a relationship with!!!!!! oh, and i TOTALLY agree with “Just me”, i don’t think you can say it any more clear!!!!! God is who we are supposed to be accountable to, and not the messed up world and their demented view of things!!
I really do hope that sometime you guys all figure that out once you’ve kissed every girl you’ve met and it is no longer anything special to share with your wive(s)!!!
This guys younger sister is my Best Friend and therefore i know Bruce VERY well, I’ll bet if you knew this guys just a little bit you wouldn’t have said anything that you guys have all blamed him of! I mean… BEING GAY??????? wow you guys….. WOW!

Are they not teaching Reading Comprehension to you kids in school anymore?

Have you all forgotten to take your Ritalin today?

Again — in big bold letters and itty-bitty words: I DON”T think there is ANYTHING wrong with Bruce or his pledge of abstinence.

I DO think there is something VERY CREEPY about his FATHER.

I was touched that Bruce was willing to stand up for what he believed was right on public television. It’s a shame that people are putting him down for that. I’m one of the only people that I know that has made that same pledge and it was nice to know that there are some good guys out there that are waiting to save something special for their wives. My dad gave me a ring to show that commitment, so I don’t see the problem with his dad taking part of that.

Wow, well Tabitha, now you know someone else! I have that same promise with my dad. In fact, we got it from the dicksons, talking with Bruces dad and everything, that’s where we got the whole purity necklace from, Bruce and his dad have the EXACT same one as my dad and i except i where the heart and my dad holds the key!!! My older sister has the exact same thing !
That’s really cool! The Dicksons used to live about 5 minutes away from us about 1 year ago! then they moved to texas!

Hey.
I think it is soooo Great that there are guy’s out there that want to keep themselves pure untill marriage. Me being a 20yr girl that desires to remain sexually pure untill i marry, it nice to know that all the boys aren’t inpure. Bruce, Thank you for giving me hope that someday i may find a man that shares my desires.

If anyone who knows Bruce reads this could you please tell him my thanks. Tell him thank you for being a good Christian example unto the rest of us and thank you for allowing God to use him to touch me. Also i was wondering which Church he attends?
For Bruce’s Dad.
It makes me want to cry to know that you taught your son to remain pure. So many parents teach there childern “Make sure you use protection.” This make me mad. Even some Christian parents fail to tell their childern that it’s o.k to wait and that God wants us to wait. So thank you so much for instilling purity in him.
Bruce may God bless you and your family. Keep on waiting I know the Lord will Bless you.
Your sister in Christ, Lynsee

Wow Lynsee, I happen to know Bruce Really Well, i will copy and paste your message and email it to him and his dad!!!!
That is really cool, i agree with you 110%!!!!!!!!
I hope everyone reads your blog!
your sister in christ, Emily

You are all so encouraging! I am so grateful to now know some others making those same decisions and that Bruce gave us the chance to share that too! God has been giving me a lot of joy lately, and this is definitely adding to it!

yep, me 2!!!!!!!!

now preston, this is “impotent” conservativism. can you and i find a common ground here? the whole “soiling” oneself with premarital physical affection, “abomination to god”, and “practicing divorce” bits are not only narrow-minded and superficial but annoying too.

robbie please tell these very passionate, strict interpreters that questioning the kids sexuality was just a bit of non christian humor. if i have to read about one more abstinence promise, i think i’m gonna take an urbangrounds vacation.

I just want to say how encouraging it was to see Bruce make such a stand on national television. I am 23 years old and engaged to a wonderful man and we did not kiss until the day of our engagement. I can say without a doubt that it was worth the wait, and have no doubt that waiting to have sex until marriage will also be worth it. I admire Bruce for his example and believe he sets a standard of purity even more valuable than a standard of musical excellence. And though many of you think this is just about doing the “moral” or “Christian” thing (and imply that Bruce’s dad has somehow enslaved his son to some unrealistic code of moral conduct), Bruce’s decision reflects a maturity that recognizes the rewards, benefits, and freedom that accompany absolute faithfulness to one person. As for his dad, I think that to assume that there is any sort of homosexual relationship between them is ridiculous. All I see here is a loving father and a son who is priviged to have a close friendship with his dad…a dad who has clearly let him be his own person while still instilling in him wisdom and healthy boundaries. It saddens me to see that our culture is unable to understand these things…I hope many will see past what they do not understand and recognize that Bruce’s very counter-cultural choices (and family relationships) demonstrate a commitment to his Creator and his future wife that are to be admired and encouraged. Bruce, I believe God has a very special girl out there for you, and I’m certain she will love you because of this commitment most of all…and she’ll like your voice too:) I also want to encourage anyone out there who is striving to maintain a similar commitment—not in judgment on others—I believe that this is God’s intended plan for relationships and that in keeping such a commitment there are rich blessings.

Ha- You’re right, Adam…

I think it’s pretty sad that all of these kids keep referring to young Mister Dickson as “pure”. Avoiding human contact does not lead to purity! For a virgin to be “purer” than others requires sex to be “dirty”. I’m sorry, but I don’t see that as God’s plan.

While I don’t necessarily share the same view with these young people, as I was to impatient, and waited as long as I could, which was just after my fifteenth birthday, I certainly admire and respect their commitment to what they believe.
I wish all of them a good life, with an abundance of happiness and good health.

Ok Adam and Preston, what is “Purity”?
Please explain, you make yourself sound like you know and have mastered that! Please inform me!
My look on Purity is “freedom from guilt or evil; innocence.”
And don’t get me wrong, i am not saying that just staying away from girlboy relationships will keep you away from guilt or evil! But it will definetly keep you away from a lot of it! I am so glad that i have made that commitment in my life!
Why to we need to swich from girl to girl or boy to boy if we know that God has already saved that perfect match, 1 perfect match!
Why go giving our love away if it was meant for 1 person, and knowing that God’s choice if the BEST, I don’t get why we still try to do it on our own!
I’m confused!

I think Bruce is a wonderful role model for any boy out there. I was so offended when they made fun of him. I guess you can’t understand this value unless you look at the christian perspective, which Simon was obviously not doing. I really respect Bruce. Think of how special his wife will feel…. isn’t that what everyone woman wants, is to feel special? Take a hint guys, please, for your sake and your wife’s. He could’ve gone really far with his talent, he has a good voice and obviously the looks to take him far in hollywood. As for him ‘flaunting his abstinance’, I think the network just kept replaying it to make it seem as he was saying it multiple times just because its so rare these days, but in all reality, he probably only said it twice. I hope he ends up getting signed with someone but will not be corrupted by hollywood.

The Key

The Key of David
The Sacred Virgin
Protected BY the Father
Until the Day of Union
of the Bridegroom and the Bride
The Revelations
To Utter IT’S Truth is Sacred
To Those WHO understand hold the Key
To blasphemy it IS Death

YOU hold your OWN key
666 is 999 upside down
333 is half of 666 & to the Third of 999
3 IS the Number of the SAVED
Which half do YOU stand with?

To those WHO understand, understand
To those who do NOT
do not

Bruce,
I am 35 years old and married with children.

I want you to know that you are NOT alone. Not just on the virginity thing, but, as a person. It is unbelievable to me truely HOW many people will merely follow as opposed to lead! Perhaps that is why there are only 144,000 people that believe in this right this second.

YOU are a VERY good looking kid and deserve the best. I can REST assure you that there IS ONE person for you. YOU will be the lucky one when you meet that person AND you are not married already, divorced with kids or already given yourself away to someone that doesn’t DESERVE you. You are fabulous. Keep on BLOCKING out those people that are butchering you, they are only doing it to themselves in the end. You are the only who lives with yourself everyday, LONG after this day is over. Be Happy and Smile, GOOD things are coming your way, I promise.

Your Friend,
Jodi

Well, Emily, I don’t believe that there is only one person that can make another person happy. It is a romantic notion yet I think it could be the cause of more dissatisfaction than the serial dating you want to avoid. I think King David probably agreed with me.

But the bigger point would be that I don’t agree with you that abstaining from, as you say, girlboy relationships keeps you away from ‘a lot’ of guilt and evil. You would have to explain what you mean by this.

Don’t get me wrong- I think it’s probably a good idea for teenagers to abstain from sex. Even grown men and women make stupid decision in this area. Yet I question the underlying notions that seem to lead you to this decision.

Well Preston, I am sure you are right, many more than just one person can make you happy, i mean, the guy i sit next to everyday makes me happy but does that mean that he is my perfect match?
I wouldn’t want to waste my time on just any person that makes me ‘happy’, i would want to find the person that when i am with them i just can’t explain it, and that they have the same feeling about me!
And as far as King David goes, just because he his known for having a heart after God’s own does NOT make him perfect, he still had the same temptations as any other human being, and, unfortunately gave into that just like the whole world seems to be doing today!
Oh, and when i say girlboy relationships, i don’t mean just being really close friends with a girl or boy, but when you get into an intimate relationship, and they are not the one you will be spending the rest of your life with, then you are being tempted to do things with them that were meant for that one person you WILL be spending the rest of your life with!

This began as a rant from a conservative biker in Austin. His point of view is twisted and liberal. Is that redundant? What makes him a conservative biker? Does he pedal with one foot? Does he rarely ride? Does he ride veeeeeeeeery slowly? Otherwise any “it takes a village” menace would write the same diatribe he did. Isn’t the number one cause of kids growing up with poor earning potential, addictions, crime records and low self esteem the fact that they have no father figure?!!!! If a guy were to buy a car, should he consult his dad? If a guy were to set a course for a career, should he plan that out with his dad? If a guy were interested in a girl, should he ask his buddy for pointers!?!? The heart and key are symbols of commitment. Very likely the dad holds the heart to help keep Bruce accountable. I see it as something tangible that is a reminder of an honest and open relationship between a father and son regarding one of the most important decisions a young man could make. Creepy is where a mind begins to twist something wholesome into something evil. You need to consider changing your blog to rants and contortions of an at home Austin planned parenthood fan.

He said he likes musicals….of course he doesn’t have a problem not kissing girls. He’ll probably never if he has his way. Easy to keep a promise when there’s zero risk of breaking it, huh?

I wonder if his father made him pledge not to kiss boys. Would probably be more of a challenge for lil Bruce, especially considering he’ll have to go to Canada to get married.

If it’s a pledge not to kiss boys, do they both wear keys? Did anyone get the whole phallic imagery of the key and the vagina shaped heart? Maybe they should make bracelets, then they can wear their genitals on their sleeves…har har…sorry, I know it’s a pathetic joke, but, I couldn’t resist that.

Jacob,
You are being so nasty. Even if that was the case and he was gay, would still be so horribly judgemental?

In my experience, the men that are SO homophobic are usually hiding that buried desire to BE with a man themselves. If that is the case, don’t worry…you are normal. Ever heard of the Kinsey Scale? If not check it out, then you won’t feel so angry and hateful!

Good Luck, You need it!

Wow Jacob, that was just wrong! I am FLABBERGASTED!!!!
I wish there were some way to like report that but robbi seems to be the one incharge and doesn’t seem to mind it so, what’s the use!
And uh, i agree with jodi btw!

Wow! Great family. Father, Son, Mother, siblings. So NOT creepy. I’m honored to call them friends. Who’s being judgmental now?

Most of you that make fun of another’s commitment to abstinence must have some real problems with commitments yourselves. It’s a sad case in today’s American society that all young kids feel pressure to have to have sex to be accepted by friends or cliques. It was kind of like that 25 years ago when I was in high school. If you were not “hooked up” with someone, some thought you were gay. It has been a sick twisted world since Roe V Wade passed 35 years ago. Abortion, teen sex, teen pregnancy, pornograpy, and contraception use, all of these are 100 times more accessible than 50 years ago, and the world has been in a downward spiral morally ever since.

Kids are too concerned with pleasuring themselves sexually and otherwise, moreso, than just being kids and spending time with friends, playing games, and getting a good education. I see the difference in how kids believe they are bosses of themselves, disrespect authority, and this is evident in the decrease in families going to Church or Synagogue regularly, and the big deal every week is where’s the party and who can I have sex with.

That is shameful, and when the youth of today grow up, in 25 years, if they grow a conscience, they will see what I mean.

emily- i would agree with you that “purity” is synonymous with “innocence.”
please remind me where i put forth the notion that i’m some sort of efficianado regarding how to be pure.

“Why to we need to swich from girl to girl or boy to boy if we know that God has already saved that perfect match, 1 perfect match!”
i assume you were asking why do …; i think you answered the question within itself. if we know god intended a “perfect match” we probably wouldn’t need to “switch”. however, some favor admitting their own human limitations over your blind faith. presupposing that you know things, doesn’t mean you do but i’m all ears as to how you know what “god’s choice” is.
one place we do agree is that you are “confused”.

charles-
“His point of view is twisted and liberal. ” no, these two things are not synonymous and suggesting otherwise implies a narrow-mindedness on your part. please point out where robbie was either.

“Isn’t the number one cause of kids growing up with poor earning potential, addictions, crime records and low self esteem the fact that they have no father figure?”
correlation is not causation.

” If a guy were to buy a car, should he consult his dad?”
what if his mom was danica patrick?
“If a guy were to set a course for a career, should he plan that out with his dad?”
what if his mom were suzie orman?
“If a guy were interested in a girl, should he ask his buddy for pointers!?!? ”
why not ask mom?
i’m not sure what sort of idea this line of questioning was intended to convey, but i’m still trying to figure how it’s relevant to the thread.

creepy is continuously advertising something that, if sincere, is not essential to mention, like abstinence or charity. these should be private notions and when they aren’t, it’s reasonable to ask questions regarding sincerity.

jodi-get real; it’s a joke!
emily- we don’t censor things that make us uneasy on this board; stick around, you may learn something.

sue-i agree with almost everything you said except “Most of you that make fun of another’s commitment to abstinence must have some real problems with commitments yourselves.” maybe you could elaborate on your logic here because while i respect a commitment to abstinence, i wouldn’t say it’s off limits to humor. aren’t you being a little sensative?
not “all” young kids, many young kids…
it’s also arguable that it was a sick twisted world pre-roe v. wade, and that the downward spiral was begun independant of that decision. on the flip side, some are rather enthusiastic about the state of the world as it occurs post and pre roe v. wade. please support your vague implications with facts.

Well Adam, I am not going to argue with you, i don’t really know how to make my thought much more clear, The only reason i was leaving blogs was to stick up for Bruce! People were making so much fun of him and just slamming him, that was just wrong, everyone was talking as if they knew him really well, i just feel everyone was WAY to judgmental.
Imagine being Bruce and seeing everyone drawing conclusions of him when they don’t even know him, all they know is what they saw on TV, and we all know that tv twists stories into what they think will be the most interesting!
I just talked to bruce on the phone 2 days ago and was talking about this with him and he is hurt. But of course he wouldn’t say anything because he is just too nice! That’s the kind of Gentleman he is!
I wish sometime you guys would actually notice that and see what an awesome guy he is!
God DOES have one special person for everyone, and i believe that God will bring that person into our lives when it is time and not arouse feelings that shouldn’t be aroused yet!
You don’t really need to know when and who.. etc. That is up to God, the only thing we need to worry about is focusing on what God has for us right now and not in the future, we just need faith!
You may take this as a bunch of junk, but you also may see it as what it really is, the truth! I really hope you see it as the truth.

emily- i don’t think the people calling him gay, or implying that he was, believed that they knew bruce well. they were making a joke.

as for tv distorting reality, i agree. doesn’t that mean someone in modern america might consider twice before going on primetime tv and opening up about their sex life, or lack there of. i admire bruce’s decision and he is to be commended for his integrity if it is genuine, as you suggest. on the other hand, if he’s so sensative that some some gay jokes bother him, he probably should avoid television. did you ever consider that maybe he isn’t “saying anything” because he knows he walked right into it and was begging to be ridiculed.

No, I don’t agree, of course, i am sure he knew what he was getting into, but i don’t believe he should have not said what he believed just because he might get a few rude remarks from some immature people, he felt he still needed to be a good influence whether the world wanted it or not!
I don’t want you to get me wrong, just reading words, you can take it a lot differently then i am meaning this to come across! I don’t mean to be rude or anything, just try to picture me saying all this as nicely as possible.
I don’t want to seem like some christian who thinks they have all the answers and know that you guys are all wrong, cuz i know i don’t , i am just saying what i believe!

OH YEAH, it’s creepy, all right. And not normal.

I’ll bet this is a way for him to avoid the issue of sexuality completely–I’d bet money that he’s gay and won’t/can’t face it and that key is his temporary solution.

Oh, and the heart and key thing? Eeeewwww. Especially the girl that wrote that she wears the heart and her father wears the key. OMG.

I don’t think it’s his public pledge of absitence that is bothering people. There was that girl (16 I beleive?) that was the captain of her dance team that preaches abstience and while Simon said she was annoying, I don’t think it was because of her speech but her over confidence in her skills (according to him). I wasn’t creeped out at her at all but the heart locket was unsettling to me. I understand when people wear purity rings/bracelets/necklaces whatever. But to give the other half to someone seems wrong. Purity should be between you and God (as it is something He requires), I don’t care if you want to make sure everyone knows you are staying pure (that can be a good testimony) but it seemed like there was too much focus on the promise being between him and his dad. I also, think it would cause more pain if he did end up breaking his promise. There would be enough guilt if he messed up as there is, but to have to ask for the locket part back from his dad would probably cause even more heartbreak. It’s not simple enough to say well he def won’t have sex then. I don’t know him at all but I think people in general do sometimes mess up, and putting this extra we1ight of having to confront his dad on top of God and his future wife just seems wrong. I don’t have a view point that everyone will have sex before they get married but I have personally seen how so many people are taught that they are the worse of the worse if they have premarital sex. And a lot of these people end up having serious issues. I know, because when I was a teenager I witnessed several of my female friends (I am female too) convinced that they were sl*ts because they kissed a guy, and were convinced God wouldn’t forgive them. And they hadn’t even made such a public statement or given a parent a part of a purity locket. I can’t imagine the guilt they would of had if they did. Like I said, I’m not adovcating pre marital sex, but as someone that has seen what pressure like this can do, I think this could very well backfire. Also, several old married couples I know who stayed pure before they were married were ones that didn’t seem this pressured by their parents. They didn’t have the added weight that they would fail if they did have sex. They wouldn’t be forced to get part of their locket back. It would be them asking for forgiveness and repenting not having to confess to their dad as well. Also, when I say I think he is being pressued by his dad, I don’t mean that his dad is forcing him to make this decision (as I don’t know either of them), and I’m sure he wants to stay pure. I mean, that I feel his dad keeping part of the locket is pressure because he would most likely have to report back to his dad if he did have sex (or kiss a girl?) before he got married and I don’t see how that is something that is always healthy. Because that would be like “dad, I messed up and sinned” and then his dad probably be sad. I mean, sure he would forgive him but I think the locket would still make things a lot harder.

I think it’s a great thing he’s doing, he’s not strange…
I’m 15 years old and I’m planning to do the same as him, I’m going to wait until my marriage as him to show my ife how much I love her.

I agree, Bruce is actually where i live right now, I am Best friends with is younger sister and they just came back to this town from texas to visit and i am still shocked at how much more of a gentlmen he is then all these are guys on this sight that are disgusted! You guys grose me out, you don’t know him, you’ve never even seen him in person and already you think he’s grose!
I have the heart and my dad holds the key, and i feel it keeps me accountable! I love it!!!!!!!
I was just at a confrence last night, this women was talking on sex and she said, “Men, you would always like to have a girl that has saved everything she has for you, You always was A NEW peice of furniture, then why are you in the antiqueing business!” hopefully you all are mature enough to understand that because the messaging you have been leaving don’t make you sound very mature!

wowow I want a guy like Bruce.
Someone knows his messenger?????

please, someone??????

I hope he is cristian, if he is not, then don’t send me anything.

Leslie, he has sooooo many people trying to contact him right now, he has 1100 friends of myspace, he will view you as just another!!!!!
He doesn’t want me giving his info out to ANYONE, even when they are claiming to be christian!….. Sorry

I wish I knew a man like him and I wish I would have saved myself for marriage. I think he is sweet and has the right idea. Today everyone thinks that you have to have sex to be cool. Well I know a lot of my friends, along with myself, who jumped into the sex side of a relationship with no idea of saving ourselves for the right man. My relationships haven’t lasted and I have been married.

I appreciate his testimony to the fact that he is saving himself for the right girl and it doesn’t bug me that his father has the other half of the necklace. It’s all a symbol anyway.

Anyway, I hope he finds the right girl and that she and him live happily together forever.

wow, a young man finally stands up and is true to himself. A kid actually makes a great decision in life and look at everyone. It is rare where you see kids his age actually realizing that the majority is wrong. Separating yourself from the heard using your individuality aka your intelligence as an individual is simply incredible. Everyone assumes he is Christian or that God has to do with it, perhaps it does which is a good thing as well believing in God is a strong relationship however, perhaps he made the decision for himself rather than assuming that everyone else has the answer.

It’s insane that because he hasn’t been with a woman or has a kissed one, people assume he’s gay. Wow, what is running through your minds to say such a thing. It’s called respect for yourself and those around you. The relationship he has with his father as well as the communication is what a real family is, if we had more families like this one on this planet, we’d have less kids in trouble, and a world that actually gets more work done.

Bruce Dickson, is who you want your kids to be. If my sister had been like Bruce, wow. The pressure for kids these days. It’s incredible he’s made it 17 years, it says a lot about who he is and who his father is. Strong is all I have to say. Bruce…keep singing I loved your performance, bring your voice, i’ll make the music. I think so many would be surprised to see how many records you’d really sell because of your truth as a person.

Adam and Anonymous. Let me hit some specifics and some generalities. Adam, please keep your “narrow minded” labels for your sycophant crowd and just discuss the issues.

First, American idol asks every contestant, that gets a yellow ticket at any stage, what is unique and different about them. American idol is putting on a show. They want to sell butter and cars and beer and condoms. They want people tuning in. They decide what is edited and aired, not Bruce Dickson. Society/media bias does play a roll to a degree. People who have no self control, have no center in their life, have no clear goal or vision will buy anything. So you can’t have dads helping children with self control. Friends with benefits is only a side benefit (for guys especially) of the lack of self control. We are training our young people that self control is bad, that it hinders free expression.

A number of planned parenthood spokespeople have voiced over the years that sexuality between children should be guiltless and an enjoyable experience. Even infants should experience orgasm or whatever level of sexual pleasure possible is lamented by some adherents to planned parenthood. This sentiment is dark and sick. However, sex is absolutely incredible and it is meant to be. But when you cheapen it like you’re sharing a coke or bag of fries, then you have incredible problems. I don’t care if you have no guilt or everyone forgives. If everyone has to have paternity tests and their family tree looks more like vine laden crab grass then where is the stability to raise children. You don’t need men society says. All you need is two loving people to raise children. Evidence points to the contrary. And, unfortunately, some statistic showed years ago that the average dad spent less than 30 seconds in meaningful conversation with their children. So, in reality, the desire to conform to peers, schools, media and an overburdened mom are raising children. Adam, I believe you clearly don’t grasp the reality that women are trying to pick up the slack for a society that accepts selfish, self focused shallow men. Can a son ask his mom for advice? Clearly yes. You can have boys clubs of America or Big Brothers, but somehow it is offensive if a dad has an honest, genuine relationship with his children. It’s ok to invest in the village concept but the traditional nuclear family is verboten. IT IS NARROW MINDED. Ring a bell?

Anonymous, it appears likely that Bruce and his dad have a father and son relationship that go back since infancy. I’m not being facetious. No 19 year old guy, who also clearly shows confidence, would wear a rope chain with a key and perform for american idol because he was being pushed along by a gay, weird, creepy or controlling father. This kid is not beaten down! Watch his youtube ai try out again. He doesn’t present like an introvert. There appears to be a genuineness about their relationship that the dad is likely just as much friend as he is mentor. Is this the relationship which puts pressure or guilt on Bruce? If his dad started the “hey I want to be involved with your life” thing when he was 17 then kids do resent it and it would backfire. But, I’ve read some of the interview stuff on the web about this kid and he owns this stuff. Why do you want to read or project negative which there is no hint of?

Adam, in the case of absent fathers correlation is causation. Study the issue! Oh and Robbie is twisted because he refers to himself as a “conservative” which still incorporates the concept of traditional family values. Traditional family values holds that the father has a certain role even an authority/leadership/mentoring role in the family. It would follow that a proper father would teach the young men in his charge that young ladies and women are to be respected. You would hold open a door, assist with a chair, repair a flat tire or defend with your life if necessary. Therefore, Robbie should not be weirded out because a father is mentoring his son and holding him accountable to an honest pledge. Isn’t it funny that many among us want our sons to conquer others daughters, but at the same time we want a certain level of purity for our own daughters. I believe it is because we as men do not want to be held to any standard either. We tend to have superficial and self serving motives. Adam, live and let live.

hi bruce,
i was so excited to hear your saving even your first kiss for your wife, i’ve met girls who will save their first kisses, but never a guy before and i think that’s totaly amazing. what you did on idol to stand up for your beliefs was wonderful, i love the whole key thing that’s amazing too, esp. with your dad. that’s the most manly thing i have seen in a while! i wish there were more guys who think like you do.

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My name is Tracy, im a 19 year girl. i was a viewer that night Bruce auditioned. Please if you have any contacts with Bruce i’d love to know. I too have strong belief on pre marital sex and other issues surrounding that. I also havent had my first kiss either and share the same beliefs Bruce and his family do. Some how i believe the key his father wears around his neck should be around mine!

Hey, if anyone knows how to contact Bruce i would really apprecitate it. I’m a senior in high school, and probably the only girl who hasn’t kissed a guy or even had sex. I was feeling pretty discouraged that i might be some kind of freak until heard what Bruce had to say. So if he has an e-mail or something that would be awesome.

Sorry Girls but if you had the same beliefs that bruce does you woudn’t be going after him like that! “Some how i believe the key his father wears around his neck should be around mine!” What is THAT?
sorry, i can’t give out ANY information

You know what, I respect this guy and just because he’s christian and hasn’t kissed a girl doesn’t mean he’s gay. I myself am gonna wait till marriage but I will date to find the right woman.

Bruce is one of my best friends and i think what you said was stupid, just because he is standing up for what he believes in and what is right, does not make him gay. Maybe you just arent man enough to make a decision or stand like him..

I have meet Bruce and let me tell you, he is NOT GAY, he is NOT creepy and he is NOT fake. I haven’t met his father so I can’t say anything about him. Bruce gave me a CD of the song he wrote called ONE KEY which is about this decision to stay pure until marriage. It’s a beautiful song, you can go to http://www.myspace.com/brucefdickson to hear it. My daughters (ages 6, 4 and 2) adore Bruce and he is just wonderful with them. ‘ One Key’ is the only song we listen to in the car on request from my girls.

I hope that you all can see past the “creepiness” of his father wearing the necklace and realize that American Idol spun it that way for ratings. Go to http://www.myfoxaustin.com and search Bruce Dickson to see the interviews he did with the news station. In one interview he talks about how the American Idol people told them to put the hearts together and when I saw that show, they made it seem like they were a gay couple! Then after the commercial, they said it was father and son. That is why America sees it as “odd,” it’s the TV producers fault… trying to get ratings and obviously did.

What Bruce is doing is amazing. Maybe you haven’t seen him… some of his photos just do him no justice, the boy is very nice looking. He could probably have any girl he wants, even before he went on TV. He’s a strong Christian young man and that should be something we can all be proud of.. NOT ALL YOUTH TODAY ARE SEX CRAZED IDIOTS!

So instead of putting Bruce or his father down for these beliefs, why don’t you Google a blog about teenage pregnancy and b**ch about that? And just what is wrong with teaching your son to be respectful to women, not to be a “horn-dog” chasing skirt everyday? At least he is responsible, driven and respectful! How many young men do you know like that today? I know one… BRUCE DICKSON!

I Like these people, man they tell the truth! I really hope this actually gets to someone reading this! any man would be lucky to be doing half of what bruce is braze enough to do. He is one of my family’s best friends, you all need to just deal with the fact that he is an amazing role model and that he IS doing to right thing, no matter how messed up all your minds may be!