Dr. Kate chats with Julia and Jeremiah from Sexvangelicals about healing from purity culture. They discuss impact on pleasure, grief from leaving, and redefining sex's role. Check out their podcast for insights on sexuality, deconstruction, and healing from past beliefs.
Healing from purity culture involves acknowledging grief and loss in leaving high-control environments.
Questioning and deconstructing religious beliefs can lead to reevaluating relationships and power dynamics for healthier partnerships.
Deep dives
Challenges of Growing Up in High-Control Religious Environments
Growing up in high-control religious environments can lead to traumatic experiences and impact one's development, especially regarding sexuality. Julia Postma and Jeremiah Gibson, licensed psychotherapists and sex therapists, shared how their backgrounds in such environments influenced their relationships and sexuality. They highlighted the need for discussions on the relational impact of religious systems and the journey towards healthier sexuality and partnerships.
Navigating Deconstruction of Religious Beliefs
Julia and Jeremiah discussed the process of questioning and deconstructing the high-control religious environments they grew up in. They shared insights on how their education in systems therapy helped them challenge their worldviews and understand power dynamics. Personal experiences led them to reevaluate their relationships and identities, demonstrating the ongoing journey of unlearning and relearning.
Grief and Loss in the Deconstruction Process
The podcast addressed the significant role of grief and loss in the deconstruction of religious beliefs. Julia and Jeremiah highlighted the emotional turmoil and complexities individuals face when transitioning away from religious systems. They emphasized the importance of recognizing and processing grief, even when it manifests unexpectedly, showcasing the messy and non-linear nature of healing from religious trauma.
Move Towards Egalitarianism and Redefining Relationships
Julia and Jeremiah discussed the importance of redefining relationships in the deconstruction process, particularly around gender roles and power dynamics. Sharing personal and client experiences, they highlighted the challenges and rewards of moving towards egalitarianism in partnerships. They emphasized the need to navigate power dynamics and negotiate shared decision-making for a more balanced and fulfilling relationship dynamic.
How does one unlearn the rigid beliefs of purity culture?
This week, Dr. Kate is joined by Julia and Jeremiah of Sexvangelicals, a a podcast, educational platform, and community building project offering the sex education the church didn't want you to have.
The three of them unpack:
• The impact that these environments can have on one's relationship to pleasure and sex
• The sense of grief and loss that can come hand in hand with the freedom of exiting high control environments
• Redefining the role of importance that sex plays in your life
and so much more!
Be sure to check out Sexvangelicals podcast to gain insight on giving yourself permission to be a sexual person, navigating the deconstructing process, and healing from the ways that Christian communities may have gotten it wrong.