Making Chastity Sexy
Making Chastity Sexy: The Rhetoric of Evangelical Abstinence Campaigns | |
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Author | Christine Gardner |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Subject | Evangelical sexual abstinence teachings |
Publisher | University of California Press |
Awards | Stephen E. Lucas Debut Publication Award |
ISBN | 0520267273 |
Making Chastity Sexy: The Rhetoric of Evangelical Abstinence Campaigns is a 2011 book by Christine Gardner,[1] a professor at Wheaton College.[2] In it, Gardner states that sexual abstinence teachings by Evangelicals are currently "using sex to sell abstinence" by promising more satisfying sexual activity within marriage for those who abstain from premarital sex; she argues that this rhetoric reinforces selfish desires for gratification, sets people up for divorce and dissatisfaction with marriage, and simply adapts "secular forms for religious ends".[3]
The book investigates three Evangelical organizations that advocate sexual abstinence:[4] Silver Ring Thing, True Love Waits, and Pure Freedom.[5] In addition to these United States-based sexual abstinence organizations, the book studies one Africa-based sexual abstinence organization.[6] The image on the book cover depicts a female human abdomen exposed by a crop top and low-rise jeans; a navel piercing is encircled by a tattoo of the words "True Love Waits" in cursive.[7] In preparation for writing the book, Gardner spent five years doing research at chastity events in various locations in both the United States and Sub-Saharan Africa.[8]
Frank Schaeffer called the book "important and perceptive in a profound way".[9] In 2012, Making Chastity Sexy won the Stephen E. Lucas Debut Publication Award for a scholarly monograph or book in the field of communication studies.[10]
References
- ↑ Christine J. Gardner (2011). Making Chastity Sexy: The Rhetoric of Evangelical Abstinence Campaigns. University of California Press. ISBN 0520267273.
- ↑ Amy Frykholm (May 21, 2012). "Can Sex Sell Abstinence?". Religion & Politics. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
- ↑ Sarah Pulliam Bailey (November 18, 2011). "The Rhetoric of Chastity: Making Abstinence Sexy". Christianity Today. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
- ↑ Tanda Gmiter (November 12, 2011). "Christianity Today interview: Evangelicals play up 'sexy abstinence' in purity campaigns". The Grand Rapids Press. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
- ↑ Hennie Weiss (March 27, 2012). "Review - Making Chastity Sexy". Metapsychology Online Reviews 16 (13). Retrieved March 21, 2013.
- ↑ "Making Chastity Sexy: The Rhetoric of Evangelical Abstinence Campaigns". Sociology of Religion 73 (1): 100. Spring 2012. doi:10.1093/socrel/srs020.
- ↑ Melissa L. Carrion (Fall 2012). "Making Chastity Sexy: The Rhetoric of Evangelical Abstinence Campaigns (review)". Rhetoric & Public Affairs 15 (3): 558.
- ↑ Amy DeRogatis (December 2012). Church History 81 (4): 1044. doi:10.1017/S0009640712002454.
- ↑ Frank Schaeffer (August 3, 2012). ""Abstinence Only" Exposed as Subversive of Actual Evangelical Values". The Huffington Post. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
- ↑ "Stephen E. Lucas Debut Publication Award". National Communication Association. Retrieved March 21, 2013.