Sexual moral reasoning in American evangelicalism

Jeremy N Thomas, Purdue University

Abstract

This dissertation investigates how the social and cultural forces of modernization have been affecting the ways that American evangelicals have been engaging in moral reasoning about sexuality. Through three separate but interrelated studies, I specifically examine how evangelicals have been thinking about and responding to the often-controversial topics of homosexuality and pornography. Based on my findings, I argue that despite popular beliefs to the contrary, there is clear evidence of the liberalization of evangelicals' sexual moral reasoning. While evangelicals once based their sexual moral reasoning almost exclusively on more conservative and traditional forms of moral authority such as religious scriptures, teachings, and traditions, as time has gone on, evangelicals have increasingly based their sexual moral reasoning on more liberal and progressive forms of moral authority, especially including science and medicine, but also including philosophical considerations of natural order and natural law, as well as humanistic conceptions of individual rights and of psychological health. I argue that this liberalization of evangelicals' sexual moral reasoning is leading to changes both with regard to evangelicals' assessments of personal sexual morality as well as with regard to evangelicals' positions and attitudes on various public policy debates related to sexuality.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Olson, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Religion|Sociology

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