Meet Jesus: My running list of things that would somewhat traumatize my Baptist relatives

Of course as soon as a write that I will be posting less, I come up with two posts in one day. Isn’t that just how it goes.

Anyway, I just got a huge kick out of what is probably a great book. It is called Meet Jesus: The Life and Lessons of a Beloved Teacher and it is on the front page of the UUA bookstore website. It is so something I would get for my kids (if I had them) but I just envisioned my Baptist relatives and how dreadfully horrible this book would seem to them - you might as well give your kid a book called “How to Be Evil.” This goes in the same category with the tradition at my home UU church where everyone is invited to dress in costume the Sunday closest to Halloween and sing a song called “The Witch Song” with the following chorus:

Who were the witches, where did they come from?
Maybe your great great grandmother was one.
Witches were wise, wise women they say,
And there’s a little witch in every woman today.
There’s a little witch in every woman today.

Perhaps you have to come from a Southern Baptist charismatic background to appreciate the absolute horror that these two very nice UU innovations would invoke. Why makes me laugh, I don’t know. It just does. It would so not be funny if these ideas were even ever mentioned anywhere near my extended family. Or my hometown. So not funny.

Bibliography on Sexual Purity

I like to compile good bibliographies. I’ve posted one on democracy and one on queer theology. Clearly they are not in finished form. Now I add Sexual Purity (in a conservative Christian context).  Not everything in the bibliography is directly related to the sexual purity movement - some of it is tangentially related. And it is not annotated (yet).

“Pure Freedom Girls Retreat.” Pure Freedom, Inc. (State College, PA). http://purefreedom.org/retreatGirls.htm (accessed Jan 12, 2007).

“Purity Ball Planner (Educational Aids).” Abstinence Clearinghouse (Sioux Falls, SD). www.abstinence.net/store/00632.html?id=y2Gr9ceX (accessed Nov 5, 2006).

“How to Start Over if You’ve Lost Your Virginity.” Love Matters Website (Redondo Beach, CA) www.lovematters.com/startover.htm (accessed Jan 29, 2007).

“History and Rollout/Bus. Plan.” The Silver Ring Thing (Moon Twp., PA). www.silverringthing.com/about.html (accessed March 21, 2007).

“In Praise of Chastity, Purity Balls.” The Economist, November 18, 2006. (accessed March 1, 2007).

Abstinence Outlet, Wilding Industries, Inc. “Abstinence Rose Pin.” www.abstinenceoutlet.com/abropin.html (accessed February 27, 2007). (This rose pin, which you can pin on your clothes to remind you of the sentiment, reads: You are like a beautiful rose. Each time you engage in premarital sex, a precious petal is stripped away. Don’t leave your future husband holding a bare stem. Abstain.)

Arterburn, Stephen and Fred Stoeker. Every Man’s Battle: Winning the War on Sexual Temptation One Victory at a Time (The Every Man Series). Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook Press, 2000.

Arterburn, Stephen, Fred Stoeker, Brenda Stoeker, with Mike Yorkey. Every Heart Restored: A Wife’s Guide to Healing in the Wake of a Husband’s Sexual Sin. Colorado Springs, CO: 2004.

Baldacci, Leslie. “No Sex, Thanks.” The Chicago Sun-Times, Jan 17, 2007, www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/213453,CST-FTR-celibacy17.article (accessed Jan 15, 2007).

Baumgardner, Jennifer. Would You Pledge Your Virginity to Your Father? Glamour, February 2007. www.glamour.com/news/articles/2007/01/purityballs07feb (accessed March 12, 2007).

Berkon, James. Made New. El Cajon, CA: Catholic Answers, forthcoming in April 2007.

———. “Made New.” www.secondaryvirginity.com (accessed Jan 21, 2007).

Bersamin, Melina and Samantha Walker. “Promising to Wait: Virginity Pledges and Adolescent Sexual Behavior.” Journal of Adolescent Health 36(5). May 2005: 428-436, http://resources.prev.org/documents/ViginityPledgeResearchReport.pdf.

Bishop, Jennie. Princess & the Kiss: A Story of God’s Gift of Purity. Anderson, IN: Warner Press, 2000.

Bishop, Jennie and Susan Henson. Life Lessons from the Princess and the Kiss. Niles, MI: Revive Our Hearts, 2004.

Briggs, David. “True to their Word; NE Ohio Youths Pledge Abstinence in National Faith-Based Movement.” Cleveland Plain Dealer, Feb 27, 2005.

Cee Cee Michaela Ministries. “The Purity Pajama Party.” GodzGirl Network (Atlanta, GA). www.ceeceemichaela.com/articles_view.asp?articleid=29002&columnid=3529 (March 10, 2007).

———. “The Purity Ring Party.” GodzGirl Network (Atlanta, GA). www.ceeceemichaela.com/articles_view.asp?articleid=29003&columnid=3529 (accessed March 10, 2008).

———. “Purity Princess Survivor Kit.” GodzGirl Network (Atlanta, GA). www.ceeceemichaela.com/store_items_view.asp?itemid=18272 (accessed Nov 5, 2006).

Clapp, Steve. The Gift of Sexuality: Empowerment for Religious Teens. Fort Wayne, IN: LifeQuest, 2006.

Cliffhanger Productions, Inc. “Online Video for CareNet Father-Daughter Purity Ball” (Port St. Lucie, Florida). http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9019249422941584807&q=abstinance (Accessed March 1, 2007).

Conaway, Dale. Sex is a Spiritual Act. Decatur, GA: Purity Press Publishers, 2004.

———. Sex: The Spiritual Laws. Decatur, GA: Purity Press Publishers, 2004.

Daniels, Robert. The War Within: Gaining Victory in the Battle for Sexual Purity. Revised & Expanded ed. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2005.

Denizet-Lewis, Benoit. “Friends, Friends with Benefits, and the Benefits of the Local Mall.” The New York Times, May 30, 2004, www.nytimes.com/2004/05/30/magazine/30NONDATING.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5007&en=b8ab7c02ae2d206b&ex=1401249600 (accessed Feb 1, 2007).

Diamond, Sara. Roads to Dominion: Right-Wing Movements and Political Power in the United States. New York, NY: The Guilford Press, 1995.

Douglas, Mary. Purity and Danger: An Analysis of Concepts of Pollution and Taboo. New York, NY: Penguin, 1966.

Elliot, Elisabeth. Passion and Purity: Learning to Bring Your Love Life Under Christ’s Control. 2nd ed. Wheaton, IL: Revell, 2002.

Ellis, Bob. “Integrity Ball Encourages Young Men to Raise the Standard.” The Dakota Voice: A Christian Perspective, January 15, 2007, www.dakotavoice.com/200701/20070115_1.html (accessed February 24, 2007).

Erzen, Tanya. Straight to Jesus: Sexual and Christian Conversions in the Ex-Gay Movement. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2006.

Gresh, Dannah. And the Bride Wore White: Seven Secrets to Sexual Purity. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2004.

———. Seven Secrets to Sexual Purity Leaders Guide (Pure Freedom). Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2003.

Gresh, Dannah and Bob. Who Moved the Goalpost?: 7 Winning Strategies in the Sexual Integrity Gameplan. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2001.

Griffith, Marie R. God’s Daughters: Evangelical Women and the Power of Submission. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1997.

———. “Marie Griffith’s Current Major Research Project.” Princeton University (Princeton, NJ). www.princeton.edu/~griffith/projects.html (accessed Feb 14, 2007).

Hacker, Hans. The Culture of Conservative Christian Litigation. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2005.

Harris, Joshua. I Kissed Dating Goodbye. Updated ed. Sisters, OR: Multnomah, 2003.

———. Not Even a Hint: Guarding Your Heart Against Lust. Sisters, OR: Multnomah, 2003.

———. Boy Meets Girl: Say Hello to Courtship. Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 2000.

Harris, Shannon, Joshua Harris, and Brian Smith. Sex is Not the Problem (Lust is): Sexual Purity in a Lust Saturated World [Not Even a Hint Study Guide for Women]. Sisters, OR: Multnomah, 2005.

Johnson, Greg and Susie Shellenberger. What Hollywood Won’t Tell You about Sex, Love, and Dating. Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 1994.

Keller, Wendy. The Cult of the Born-again Virgin: The New Sexual Revolution. Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications, 1999.

Koehlinger, Jeff. Protecting His Workmanship: Teaching Your Child God’s Design for Sexual Purity. Midland, MI: Search for the Truth Ministries, 2004.

Lerner, Sharon. “An Orgy of Abstinence: Federal Funding Pushes No-Sex Education into the Mainstream.” The Village Voice, Aug 1-7, 2001, www.villagevoice.com/news/0131, lerner,26857,1.html (accessed Nov 9, 2006).

Levine, Judith. Harmful to Minors: The Perils of Protecting Children from Sex. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press, 2002.

Mally, Sarah. Before You Meet Prince Charming: A Guide to Radiant Purity. Cedar Rapids, IA: Tomorrow’s Forefathers, Inc, 2006.

Napier, Kristine. The Power of Abstinence. New York, NY: Avon Books, 1996.

Noonan, Robert. The Three Weavers Plus Companion Guide: A Father’s Guide to Guarding His Daughter’s Purity. Humphrey, NE: Pumpkin Seed Press, 2004.

Orenstein, Peggy. “What’s Wrong with Cinderella?” The New York Times Magazine, December 24, 2006, www.nytimes.com/2006/12/24/magazine/24princess.t.html?ex=1324616400&en=8e5a1ac1332a802c&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss (accessed March 2, 2007). (This relates to the purity movement in that the movement uses princess language, fairy-tale imagery, and what I call the princess-ization of girls as a key promotion strategy.)

Phillips, Richard and Sharon. Holding Hands, Holding Hearts: Recovering a Biblical View of Christian Dating. Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R Publishing, 2006.

Reagan, Teresa. “Teens Rally to be Forum for Virginity Commitment.” The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Jan 6, 2000.

Rosenbloom, Stephanie. “A Ring that Says No, Not Yet.” The New York Times, Dec 8, 2005, www.nytimes.com/2005/12/08/fashion/thursdaystyles/08purity.html?ex=1291698000&en=955ec5aa5e5b3577&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss (accessed September 29, 2006).

Sampson, Ovetta. “Broadmoor Formal Aims to Reinforce Importance of Father-Daughter Bond.” The Gazette, 2001. http://generationsoflight.myicontrol.com/html/News.html (accessed March 16, 2007).

Sandler, Lauren. Righteous: Dispatches from the Evangelical Youth Movement. New York, NY: Viking Adult, 2006.

Shibley, Mark. Resurgent Evangelicalism in the United States: Mapping Cultural Change since 1970. Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina Press, 1996.

Speck, Greg. Sex: It’s Worth Waiting for. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1989.

Stenzel, Pam with Crystal Kirgiss. Sex has a Price Tag: Discussions about Sexuality, Spirituality, and Self-Respect. Grand Rapids, MI: Youth Specialties, 2003.

Stone, Gigi. “Teen Girls ‘Date’ Dad, Pledge Purity: Purity Balls Include Big Night Out with White Cake and Vows, But No Groom.” ABC News, March 12, 2007, http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=2928607&page=1 (accessed March 29, 2007).

The Gravity Teen Website. “Virgin…Who Me? What is Secondary Virginity?” Vitae Caring Foundation (Jefferson City, MO). www.gravityteen.com/abstinence/virgin.cfm (accessed March 1, 2007).

True Love Waits. “TLW Overview.” LifeWay Christian Resources (Nashville, TN). www.lifeway.com/tlw/downloads/pdf_tlw_overview.pdf (accessed Dec 1, 2006).

———. “True Love Waits Commitment.” LifeWay Christian Resources (Nashville, TN). www.lifeway.com/tlw/ (accessed Dec 1, 2006).

Wilson, Lisa and Randy. “2006 Purity Ball Details.” Generations of Light (Colorado Springs, CO). http://generationsoflight.myicontrol.com/generationsoflight/index.cfm?ID=860F50F9-8F9F-438F-A992245B972F6D0A (accessed Nov 2, 2006).

———. “The Pledge: May I have this Dance.” Generations of Light (Colorado Springs, CO). www.generationsoflight.org/index.cfm?id=67C8F9DB-D1C8-4C6B-8562E3094336BBD0 (accessed Nov 2, 2006).

———. “Item Detail, Father Daughter Purity Ball Packet.” Generations of Light (Colorado Springs, CO). http://generationsoflight.myicontrol.com/products/FDPB02.html (accessed Nov 5, 2006).

Winner, Lauren. Real Sex: The Naked Truth about Chastity. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2005.

Yorkey, Mike. Every Young Man’s Battle Guide: Weapons for the War Against Sexual Temptation. Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook Press, 2003.

Zablit, Jocelyne. “No Sex Please, We’re Daddy’s Little Girls.” Yahoo! News (Via Agence France-Presse), March 22, 2007, http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070322/lf_afp/afplifestyleussex chastity_070322082138 (accessed March 29, 2007).

Missionaries of Cambridge, MA

Somehow, in studying at my favorite coffee shop a few days ago, I managed to sit right next to some of the few evangelical missionaries in Cambridge, MA. As some of you will remember, I also managed to be approached by one of the few anti-choice street proselytizers in Harvard Square and had the pleasure to reflect on that experience here. Perhaps folks can just sense that my mega-church-Baptist-Catholic heritage will, at least, prevent me from being rude and even, perhaps, help me understand a little of where they are coming from. Or maybe I am just a statistical anomaly. Anyway, the missionaries sitting next to me reminded me a lot of my Campus Crusade days - friendly, hip-seeming people in love with Jesus. Which, of course, I think is lovely and have no problem with. In fact, I sort of miss that closeness with the savior of the world that one feels like one has as a Christian in love with Jesus. However, what I was a little irked by was all the talk of taking the message of Jesus to other countries. I am not even that terribly opposed to sharing about the work Jesus has done in your own life with other people, especially if you are very culturally sensitive as they appeared to at least be trying to be (I was not purposefully listening - they were just right next to me and I could not avoid it). I mean, I like to share about Unitarian Universalism and how much I enjoy my faith and how much I get from it, and the work of hope and justice that it has the potential to do. But my thing with spending one’s life sharing Jesus in other countries is all the time and energy this takes without lots of practical results. I guess to me, the idea would not to be to share Jesus for Jesus’s sake (just like I don’t share Unitarian Universalism for its own sake) but rather to share the LOVE of Jesus through one’s work and let God take care of the rest. Kind of Jesus as the path and not the destination. (I DO however, understand that this is exactly the opposite of how they feel. Jesus is FOR SURE the path AND the destination. I’m just saying what I would prefer.) This is why I am pretty impressed with what I know about Habitat for Humanity (I’m sure they aren’t perfect, but try to focus on my general point here). Habitat builds houses and says we are showing God’s love through our work. Houses - something people really need. So if you are DYING to share Jesus with the people of the world, why not do that WHILE you are doing something helpful. Rather than spending all your free time plotting and planning about how to share Jesus - why not do that through your works and, as they say, give the rest up to God? I think a house or clean water or unconditional, sustained, support and love over years speaks way more than going through the rehearsed-yet-spontaneous-sounding ways of sharing your testimony and bringing people to Jesus. The missionaries sitting next to me seemed relatively progressive (as missionaries go) and truly excited about sharing their excitement about Jesus and wanting not to be all “we know best” and “give up all of your culture and adopt our culture along with our god” old-style Christian missionary. But rather than having strategy meetings at a cafe and lots of small group meetings on planning and months of praying (I heard them discuss this all) why not DO God’s work of love and justice and trust that those acts, and inquiries about your acts of love, will be the path to sharing the message of hope of your faith rather than thinking that God or Jesus needs you to run around laying out all the details to people who are not in need of more creeds, but are in fact, in need of deeds, particularly from privileged Americans whose privilege rests in large part on the structures set up by the U.S. military and economic hegemony. Just my thoughts. Now back to work. p.s. Afterthought here: I really don’t like the idea of going to other countries to bring people to Jesus at all. I don’t like the idea of Christians thinking that they have something better than what people already have. I guess my point is that if you have a strong passion to be in another country or culture to do works of love, and the people in that community happen to ask you about your faith, you share with them from an honest place, and those people happen to convert to Christianity, I see no harm in that. But when the idea is to go there so that people will accept Jesus and you do good things in order to show people “See, how cool Jesus and Christianity is?” I do not think this to be okay. My main point is that I am much more supportive of people who feel no need to convert others to their faith, but instead feel a strong need to love and do works of justice as a result of the faith that they hold. I’m going to stop now. I could go on but I won’t. Hope this is clear enough.

Killing the Buddha Does It Again: Jam for the Lamb, Rock for the Flock

As I may have mentioned before, and certainly for those who know me, I am not a laugher. I am not against it of course, it just takes a lot to make me really laugh. Like spontaneously. But the article God and Guitars at Killing the Buddha just cracked me up. The author is writing about a Christian rock concert he was at as a 15 year old…

Beside us, a middle-aged man wearing a moustache, a leather jacket, and a green mohawk shouted, “Rock for the Flock!” He raised his fist. “Jam for the Lamb!

Whoever picks the Christian articles for ktb HAS to have been involved in evangelical Christianity at one point or another. They just hit it right on the nose so often (one of my other favorite articles ever is Jesus and I Broke Up). So, now go read God and Guitars at Killing the Buddha.