Rating: 
Summary: watch out
Review: I very much recommend "Boundaries in Dating" by Cloud and Townsend if you are considering getting "I kissed dating goodbye." Cloud and Townsend take a responsible approach to dating, show how to avoid the pitfalls, and express valid concerns about the 'kissed dating goodbye' book. I have heard of Christian groups teaching that to have 'God's best' you need to stop dating, which is simply crazy making for most people. Be warned! This book may make you crazy.
Rating: 
Summary: the dating debate
Review: IKDG points out dating faults and how to avoid making dating mistakes. The author does believe in dating, he just doesn't call it that. He calls it courting. In today's world courting and dating have the same meaning. It seems as if Harris believes that courting is more holy than dating. Courting is just another word for dating. The thing is how are you going to go about it? There is a right and wrong way to date/court. The wrong way is to play with people's feelings. This books concepts work best for teens but not for those that are older. The not dating concept worked better when I was a teenager. I'm in my 20s now and a lot has changed. Harris' book on courting isn't that helpful either. Since I view courting and dating as the same. There are better books on relationships and my favorites are "Boundaries in Dating by Henry Cloud & John Townsend", "When God Writes Your Love Story by Eric and Leslie Ludy" and "Am I the One? by James R. Lucas"
Rating: 
Summary: Ignorant fools who gave this book a one.
Review: People who criticized Harris' book as being absurd toward dating has either fallen into the secular world of dating influenced by the media or just been totally ignorant to listen. Many of these critics talk of listening to his ideas, but basically what they're doing is being closeminded. They look towards the book to justify their own sinful actions. And when the book actually do call them out, they become defensive and attack Harris' views. Also, Harris NEVER implies that dating is a sin or wrong, in fact he says its a gift from God. You ignorant fools..arghh. He just says people get into the dating game for the wrong reasons. Selfish reasons. Of course mainstream dating has succeded before, but this book is to offer people during dating something better. Some life lessons that they can apply, so they won't have to regret some of the things that might committ during a relationship. ... And some of you men (boys)talk of being righteous and pure minded around all your "girl" friends, please..you must have some ugly "girl" friends..well to be politically corret let's use unattractive. Let's admit guys, all of us are lustful creatures. FACT: EVERY MAN IS LUSTFUL. if you can't admit that, you're either in denial or something is very very wrong with you, some kind of hormonal imbalance. Anybody who would like to debate with me on his book are more than welcome to e-mail me. I'm right here.
Rating:
Summary: An awesome new perspective on dating
Review: My friend gave this book to me and at first glance, I thought it must be ridiculous. I mean, "I Kissed Dating Goodbye?!" Get real, pal! However, as I got into reading it, I realized how I was so guilty of all the things he talked about. I was always in love with one guy after another, with no sense of direction or purpose. Now, after reading and carefully examining myself, I realize I could develop deeper friendships with guys if I see them as brothers in Christ, not potential boyfriends. And I also dislike the idea of numerous short-term relationships before marriage, so Josh's idea about waiting for God's perfect timing sounds like something we all need to know about. I know often times I want to rush ahead, but now I can trust in HIM for when He feels that I am ready. After all, God has in store someone perfect for us and He will show us when the time is right. Most of all, I realized that love is more than just a nice, warm, fuzzy feeling. Of course, there needs to be that fuzzy feeling to be in love but love is so much more than that! It's about trust, service, and obedience. We choose to love someone for their goodness, and not for just ourselves. So many times I've heard love being compared to a mental disorder but that is not love at all. And I am so glad that this book allowed me to see what I want and where I am going. I strongly recommend this book for anyone who wants to stand apart from the world's dating game and be in a totally committed powerful Godly relationship.
Rating: 
Summary: Hmm...
Review: I'm not going to deny that this book makes you think. Harris asks teenagers to take a serious look at their values and beliefs about dating, and asks them to make sure that they feel Christ would agree with their theories.
However, I think the book takes a condescending and unrealistic stance on the issue of dating. Harris seems to imply that most teenagers are incapable of having chaste dating relationships, and that having a quote-unquote "typical" dating relationship is sinful.
As a teenage girl and devout Catholic, I have a set of values that reflect my personal beliefs and needs. I am not against dating in its "mainstream" form, because many of my friends (I don't comment on my own relationships, though I assure you they have all reflected my values) have been involved in completely chaste dating relationships, without all of this "courtship" nonsense.
The idea of courtship makes very little sense to me. It appears to be a way to "duck out of" having to develop mature, appropriate relationships; in short, it is a way to avoid having to set boundaries and learn to communicate with your "significant other." While it probably does require more persistence than a "typical" dating relationship, I don't feel that makes it any more meaningful or "correct" in God's Eyes.
Teenagers must make their own decision about their relationships. I do feel, however, that books like this one actually backfire: they promote the idea that teens/young people are NOT able to control their own actions, and are not able to handle themselves in "the real world."
Rating:
Summary: [junk]
Review: First off, I am extremely glad that this book has not taken off in my church... What I have been so irked about is Joshua's conceptions about hanging out with members of the opposite gender. He basically says that it is evil, and that you should limit how often you hang out with them. In that case, I'd be forced to avoid going home on weekends, as my brother's 8 male friends come and visit on Saturdays, and many times I'm the only woman in the house... But my point is, I'd be single until the day I die, not to mention very lonely, because I don't know of very many people who perscribe to this idea, and not many people are willing to put up with someone who cries foul when they are stuck in a situation with members of the opposite sex, be it a college class project, church praise band, concert, or going home for a weekend to a house full of teenage guys. I also have a tendency to befriend guys more than girls. So, no, I don't recommend this book at all. I don't agree with Mr. Harris on his views.
Rating:
Summary: Overly simplistic, immature & somewhat childish.
Review: Ever since this book came out, dating in the Christian world has become a four letter word. Now there has been a backlash of sorts with people coming to the realization that dating is not intrinsically evil in and of itself. It depends on the individual. If you're a jerk, you'd probably be a jerk at dating. To then blame dating as the culprit is faulty logic, shifting blame & refusing individual responsibility.
This whole concept of 'courting' vs. 'dating' is really quite silly. If you're a jerk, guess what, you'd probably be a jerk at 'courting' too. A rose is still a rose. I have a feeling this book is more of a manual for people who want to save their [selves], not lose face & are so afraid of dating in the first place. The fear is not a Godly fear but rather a fleshly fear of sticking one's neck out, pursuing a relationship & running the risk of being vulnerable and getting hurt. In addition, this whole group dating concept is within the perspective of a young, extrovert that has a huge amount of time in his hands. Ask anyone who's shy or an introvert and you will realize the best way to know that kind of person is one on one. You will never draw them out in a group setting as they will find that overwhelming.
This book is from a very narrow perspective i.e the perspective of an American male in his 20's who's an extrovert with a huge amount of time in his hands to 'group date' and engage in 'group activity'. Not everyone falls into this narrow categorization. The bible says that the way two people fall in love is a *mystery*. Trying to develop a simlplistic formula to get rid of some of this mystery is really a waste of time.
Rating: 
Summary: Dating vs. Courtship
Review: Joshua Harris makes two points in his book that are echoed by a range of social analysts and amply supported by the available evidence: (1) that "dating" as currently practiced in American society is poorly adapted as a courtship ritual to the objective of finding a spouse; and (2) that the pursuit of physical and emotional intimacy without commitment--indeed, without the ability to make a commitment--carries with it a high risk of emotional injury and leads to the development of psychological habits inimical to the success of a lifetime marriage. His primary recommendation--that we should replace "dating" with purposeful courtship, conducted under the supervision of our families and in the context of a religious community--undoubtedly offers the best opportunity to restore stability and happiness to romantic relationships. Joshua Harris is not a historian, nor is he a social scientist. His is a self-help book written primarily for people like himself: young, attractive, and in possession of boundless sovereignty over their romantic futures. He does not know what it is like to be over 30, still unattached, and facing increasingly bleak alternatives. Many of his recommendations--for instance, that we eschew romantic attachments altogether in favor of a life devoted to God--could have benefitted by a greater understanding of the realities of the human condition: that our sexuality is compelling; and that time is NOT on our side. I need only offer the enduring popularity of Jane Austen novels as evidence for the degree to which our efforts to find a wife or a husband are all-consuming and have been so for the duration of the civilized world. Nonetheless, those who can internalize the priorities he recommends can do worse than follow his guidance. Indeed, given the state of our society, most will do a LOT worse.
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME!
Review: This book is a must -read for anyone serious about serving God. It really helped get my focus back to where it was supposed to be. Josh backs everything up with scripture, which is how a Christian book is supposed to be written. Josh encourages pure realtionships with the opposite sex and waiting until one is mature and old enough to get married before entering into serious relationships. I know you're thinking, "I don't want to wait that long to start dating!", but he emphasizes the importance of God's timing in our lives and letting HIM lead us. I know some people who don't want to get married until they are 30+ and they don't want to wait that long to start dating. Josh shows how the Bible commands the Christian to put our love life in Christ's hands and not to try to plan our futures based on what WE want to do.
Josh goes into the hazards of premature emotional realtionships and the heartache that follows. Contrary to some of the criticism I have read, he does NOT discourage interaction with the opposite sex. He simply offers the Biblical way to view the opposite sex; he encourages Christians to treat each other as bros and sis in Christ.
As with any book there may be a few things that one does not totally agree with, but for the most part, "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" is right on the money. The world's (and church's) current standard for dating is completely unscriptural and a Christian should strive to be Christ-like in everything he/she does. God has a perfect plan for each area of our lives- INCLUDING dating.
Rating:
Summary: okay
Review: Dating and courting isn't it all one in the same? Seriously. Its the same thing just different words are used, JH acts like courting is more righteous than dating. There are good and bad ways to go about it. First of all I don't think that dating is a sin, in fact I think Harris has confused a lot of young people thinking that its dirty and bad. It isn't. I think Harris is focusing on the dirty side of dating and is overreacting. There are some good points that make sense and I'd reccomend it to preteens and teens but that's about it, its pretty limited for adults to read. I think that there are better books out there for teens to read on dating. I liked "Quest for Love by Elisabeth Elliot and When God Writes Your Love Story by Eric and Leslie Ludy." They seem more reasonable. I also liked "I gave dating a chance by Jeremy Clark."
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