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Evangelicals' Sex Talk Has Hidden Agenda

Despite racy rants, they push abstinence, anti-gay views: author

By Drew Nelles,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 8, 2008 7:50 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Sex is no longer taboo for the religious right—but the evangelical sexual revolution is no liberation movement, historian Dagmar Herzog argues in her new book, Sex in Crisis. Instead, Herzog asserts that “evangelicals, over the last couple of decades, have beaten liberals at their own game by adapting liberal rhetoric for conservative ends," writes Louis Bayard in Salon. He thinks, however, that Herzog has overstated the case a bit.

Conservative Christians now talk about women’s rights and sexual pleasure, and some even endorse somewhat kinky acts within marriage. But they do so while arguing for abstinence-only sex ed and condemning homosexuality. Bayard wonders whether evangelicals have really “changed our national conversation about sex,” considering America’s high teen pregnancy rates—and whether Herzog glosses over legitimate concerns about adolescent sexual activity.

A U.S. map shows state by state breakdown of federal dollars for abstinence education.
A U.S. map shows state by state breakdown of federal dollars for abstinence education.   (AP Photo)
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush watch students from the Anti-AIDS Club at the Lycee De Kigali, in Kigali, Rwanda, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, as they perform a play promoting abstinence.
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush watch students from the "Anti-AIDS Club" at the Lycee De Kigali, in Kigali, Rwanda, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, as they perform a play promoting abstinence.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Evangelicals aren't shy about talking about sex these days.
Evangelicals aren't shy about talking about sex these days.   (Shutter Stock)
CONCORD, N.C.-- President George W. Bush makes a point Wednesday, April 11, 2001, while visiting Concord Middle School to praise North Carolina's education improvements.
CONCORD, N.C.-- President George W. Bush makes a point Wednesday, April 11, 2001, while visiting Concord Middle School to praise North Carolina's education improvements.   (KRT Photos)
CONCORD, N.C.-- President George W. Bush is the center of an enthusiastic crowd Wednesday, April 11, 2001, while visiting Concord Middle School to praise North Carolina's education improvements.
CONCORD, N.C.-- President George W. Bush is the center of an enthusiastic crowd Wednesday, April 11, 2001, while visiting Concord Middle School to praise North Carolina's education improvements.   (KRT Photos)
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religious right • sex education • homosexuality • book reviews • evangelicals

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