purity culture
In ‘Exvangelicals,’ Sarah McCammon looks at the fragility and power of religion
By Bob Smietana — March 20, 2024
(RNS) — While covering Donald Trump, NPR correspondent Sarah McCammon discovered a community of people who, like herself, no longer felt at home in the evangelical world they'd been raised in.
Talking back to Scripture: New book confronts sexual exploitation in the Bible
By Kathryn Post — October 26, 2023
(RNS) — In 'The Hero and the Whore,' Camille Hernandez throws out tired, cliché and white-centric takes on Scripture.
In new Bob Jones University podcast, former students and faculty blast ‘insular’ culture
By Kathryn Post — September 12, 2023
(RNS) — 'Surviving Bob Jones University: A Christian Cult' aims to show how alleged patterns of conformity, isolation, information control and surveillance impacted members of the Bob Jones ecosystem.
How Shannon Harris kissed biblical womanhood goodbye
By Kathryn Post — August 23, 2023
(RNS) — In her forthcoming memoir, Shannon Harris documents her journey from marrying purity culture celebrity Josh Harris to finding herself outside of her marriage and the church.
Is Youth Group Good for Teen Girls? + Sheila Wray Gregoire
By Roxanne Stone — May 4, 2023
Turns out youth group teachings affect teen girls well into adulthood — for better and worse.
How Southern California helped birth white Christian nationalism
By Yonat Shimron — January 24, 2023
(RNS) — Part memoir, part history of Southern California’s formative role in the rise of the religious right, Bradley Onishi's new book traces his growing estrangement from the faith he once zealously championed.
In his debut country album, Rhett McLaughlin breaks up — with God
By Riley Farrell — August 11, 2022
(RNS) — The ‘Good Mythical Morning’ comedian goes on a spiritual deconstruction journey in his album, ‘James and the Shame.’
As states ban abortion, a new spotlight on an old battle over sex education
By Riley Farrell — July 14, 2022
(RNS) — Half of the states set to ban abortion have no mandate that schools teach sex education. Only four require curricula to address contraception.
We Ditched Purity Culture. But What’s Next? +Christine Emba
By Jonathan Woodward — March 30, 2022
Modern ideas of liberated sex often seem just as damaging as restrictive purity codes.
Peach PRC’s ‘God Is a Freak’ becomes exvangelical TikTok anthem
By Kathryn Post — February 4, 2022
(RNS) — 'Exvangelicals' embraced the song as a rallying cry against purity culture and LGBTQ exclusion.
How the church’s focus on Mary’s virginity became a curse for women
By Serene Jones — December 22, 2021
(RNS) — The shaming of women that rose from the Christmas story goes against Jesus’ teachings.
It’s back: Purity Culture 2.0, Gen Z style
By Devi Abraham — December 2, 2021
(RNS) — Purity culture lives on, and a new generation of influencers on social media is pushing it mainstream.
Summer Travel Series: Melbourne with Devi Abraham
By Jonathan Woodward — August 25, 2021
This week we're off to Melbourne with Devi Abraham, who gives us the lowdown on the Land Down Under.
Christian musician Matthew West deletes ‘Modest Is Hottest’ YouTube video after pushback
By Bob Smietana — June 25, 2021
(RNS) — West said he was poking fun of over-protective dads. Critics say 'Modest Is Hottest' blames women for men's sexual misconduct and is a sign of harmful purity culture.
Atlanta suspect blamed women for ‘tempting’ him. Purity culture does the same.
By Katelyn Beaty — March 18, 2021
(RNS) — Christian communities must reexamine attitudes that blame women for men’s sexual problems.
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