A God We Could Believe In

What did Church teach us about sex?

7 snips
Sep 15, 2025
The hosts delve into the impact of church teachings on sex, exploring memories of purity culture and the shame that often accompanied it. They discuss the gendered expectations surrounding male and female sexuality, highlighting the lack of consent discussions. Each host shares their unique experiences, from navigating bisexuality to facing sexual violence, and the struggle for bodily autonomy. The conversation evolves, advocating for open dialogue, improved support systems, and a shift from rigid moral rules to a more nuanced understanding of sexuality.
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INSIGHT

Gendered Messaging About Desire

  • Church often acknowledged male desire but denied or ignored female sexual desire and agency.
  • That created asymmetry where boys knew desire existed while girls lacked language or normalisation.
ADVICE

Teach What Good Sex Looks Like

  • Create honest conversations that normalise sexual feelings instead of shaming them.
  • Tell young people what healthy sexual behaviour looks like rather than only forbidding acts.
ANECDOTE

Lack Of Consent Language

  • Charlotte and Simon remember church talks focused on 'how far is too far' without consent language.
  • Teenagers received rules but not the words or tools to negotiate boundaries with partners.
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