Religious Fundamentalism and Sexuality Project: The Questions!

Last updated on: July 3, 2014 at 11:28 am By Sierra Phoenix

Religious Fundamentalism and Sexuality Project If you are interested in participating in a blog series on religious fundamentalism and sexuality, read on! Below are the questions and the guidelines for the project. Borrowing the format of Libby Anne’s Raised Quiverfull project, I’ll be posting each question and its set of answers multiple times a week, starting June 25. If you feel that you’ll need more time than this to answer the questions, please let me know early. This project is... Read more

Modesty and False Empowerment

Last updated on: July 3, 2014 at 11:28 am By Sierra Phoenix

Wearing the hijab or dressing modestly (no low necklines and leaving miniskirts to models) can, for some women, act as a way of empowering them, and I’ve seen its benefits first hand. When I wear a top that goes up to my neckline, as I do when I’m around Usama’s family (or to be honest most of the time – I wear hoodies a lot!), I feel like I’m actually being listened to and enjoy engaging in debates about religion and... Read more

Modesty, Body Policing and Rape Culture: Connecting the Dots

Last updated on: July 3, 2014 at 11:28 am By Sierra Phoenix

Definition: The “modesty doctrine” is the belief that women need to cover their bodies to prevent men from being attracted to them, because sexual attraction is lust that leads to sin and death for both. The modesty doctrine is not the same as wearing conservative clothing. You can do the latter without believing the former. The modesty doctrine is found in fundamentalist Christianity, Judaism and Islam, with milder echoes in mainstream Western culture. In my previous posts on the modesty doctrine, I’ve... Read more

Permission to Live: A Church Where We Are More Than Just Queer

Last updated on: July 3, 2014 at 11:28 am By Sierra Phoenix

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Melissa at Permission to Live has just written a beautiful post about her family’s first experience in an accepting church: A Church Where We Are More Than Just Queer A man plays the piano softly, a candle is lit, a list of prayer requests are read out loud by a young woman who has grown up in this church. I wonder what it would feel like to grow up in a church where you are an equal, allowed to participate and contribute... Read more

Christian Fundamentalist Homophobia, Part One: Generalized Anxiety and Images of Depravity

Last updated on: July 3, 2014 at 11:28 am By Sierra Phoenix

Trigger warning: The following post contains frank descriptions of the hate speech against LGBTQ people that my church used to inculcate fear and contempt in its youth. It’s probably not something you want to read if you’re already having a bad day. I have decided to write about homophobia for two reasons: first, to demonstrate the falsity of fundamentalist rhetoric about “hating the sin and loving the sinner,” and, second, to shed light on the tools fundamentalists use to instill... Read more

5 Phrases Christians Should Say More Often

Last updated on: July 3, 2014 at 11:28 am By Sierra Phoenix

Reluctant Xtian has written a follow-up to his previous post, which I linked here. 5 Phrases I Think Christians Should Say More Often An excerpt: 5) “Let’s read a book together; your choice.” This might seem like a dumb request, or some awkward way to try to curry favor with someone, but I’m absolutely serious. So many times I find people of faith utterly petrified by engaging in serious conversation over a text that might challenge their faith because they... Read more

5 Phrases Christians Shouldn’t Say

Last updated on: July 3, 2014 at 11:28 am By Sierra Phoenix

I just ran across the wonderful article below and heartily recommend it: Reluctant Xtian: 5 Phrases I think Christians Shouldn’t Say An excerpt: Consider these phrases that I’ve actually heard: “It’s not Christian to fire that person.” (Implication: A Christian can’t do some things because they’re seen as “mean”) “It’s not Christian to think those sexual thoughts.” (Implication: A Christian isn’t sexual, or if they are, they don’t think about it because God hates sex and real Christians can control... Read more

Memorial Monday’s Massive Modesty Media Mention

Last updated on: July 3, 2014 at 11:28 am By Sierra Phoenix

I know, I know, I got carried away by the alliteration automobile. Here’s a definition of the modesty doctrine and a bunch of other people talking about it: The Modesty Doctrine: A Definition The “modesty doctrine” is the belief that women need to cover their bodies to prevent men from being attracted to them, because sexual attraction is lust that leads to sin and death for both. The modesty doctrine is not the same as wearing conservative clothing. You can do... Read more

Christian Fundamentalist Homophobia: It Really Is About Fear (Introducing a New Series)

Last updated on: July 3, 2014 at 11:28 am By Sierra Phoenix

Libby Anne: Raised Quiverfull Project

Last updated on: July 3, 2014 at 11:28 am By Sierra Phoenix

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If you haven’t checked out Libby Anne’s “Raised Quiverfull” project yet, you’re missing out! Raised Quiverfull: Adult Children Respond The project is ongoing. The Introduction, along with the sections on Living the Life, A Gendered Childhood, and Homeschooling are complete. Keep checking in for the sections on Purity, Questioning, Relating to Family, Coping and Helping Others. Below is Libby Anne’s description of the project: Nine young adults who were raised in families involved in the Christian Patriarchy and Quiverfull movements... Read more