Straight White American Jesus It's in the Code Ep 131: “Breeding Christians”
Jan 29, 2025
The podcast dives into the pressures surrounding procreation in conservative Protestant communities. It questions the cultural and theological mandates pushing couples to have children. The discussion highlights how family structures have shifted over time, especially regarding the stigma against remaining child-free. It also tackles the crisis of church growth, revealing the tension between spiritual and biological expansion as membership declines. The evolving ideologies around family and gender roles are explored, offering insight into these complex dynamics.
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Breeding Christians
- Conservative high-control Protestants in America emphasize the need for Christians to have children.
- This relates to their views on sex, gender, and family, tying into public policy and political statements.
The Nuclear Family Ideal
- Within this religious subculture, it's assumed that marriage will result in children due to the belief that procreation is the primary purpose of sex.
- The nuclear family (mom, dad, and kids) is seen as God's ordained model for society, a historically contingent concept.
Negative View of Child-Free Choices
- Dan Miller shares his personal experience within this subculture, noting that opting out of having children was viewed negatively.
- Those who chose not to have kids were labeled selfish or worldly, implying they prioritized worldly desires over God's will.
