Making Chastity Sexy:
The Rhetoric of Evangelical Abstinence Campaigns
AuthorChristine Gardner
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
SubjectEvangelical sexual abstinence teachings
PublisherUniversity of California Press
AwardsStephen E. Lucas Debut Publication Award
ISBN978-0-520-26727-5

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

  1. ↑ Christine J. Gardner (2011). Making Chastity Sexy: The Rhetoric of Evangelical Abstinence Campaigns. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0520267275.
  2. ↑ Amy Frykholm (May 21, 2012). "Can Sex Sell Abstinence?". Religion & Politics. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  3. ↑ Sarah Pulliam Bailey (November 18, 2011). "The Rhetoric of Chastity: Making Abstinence Sexy". Christianity Today. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  4. ↑ Tanda Gmiter (November 12, 2011). "Christianity Today interview: Evangelicals play up 'sexy abstinence' in purity campaigns". The Grand Rapids Press. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  5. ↑ Hennie Weiss (March 27, 2012). "Review - Making Chastity Sexy". Metapsychology Online Reviews. 16 (13). Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  6. ↑ Burke, K. C. (Spring 2012). "Making Chastity Sexy: The Rhetoric of Evangelical Abstinence Campaigns". Sociology of Religion. 73 (1): 100. doi:10.1093/socrel/srs020.
  7. ↑ Melissa L. Carrion (Fall 2012). "Making Chastity Sexy: The Rhetoric of Evangelical Abstinence Campaigns (review)". Rhetoric & Public Affairs. 15 (3): 558.
  8. ↑ Amy DeRogatis (December 2012). "Making Chastity Sexy: The Rhetoric of Evangelical Abstinence Campaigns". Church History. 81 (4): 1044. doi:10.1017/S0009640712002454. S2CID 162372201.
  9. ↑ Frank Schaeffer (August 3, 2012). ""Abstinence Only" Exposed as Subversive of Actual Evangelical Values". The Huffington Post. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Stephen E. Lucas Debut Publication Award". National Communication Association. Retrieved March 21, 2013.


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