S9 Ep937: The Great Sex Rescue: Sheila Wray Gregiore and Rebecca Lindenbach
Jan 13, 2022
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Sheila Wray Gregoire and Rebecca Lindenbach discuss their book on the damage caused by purity culture and stereotypes about sexuality. They address controversial teachings in a Christian marriage book, reframing lust, the psychological and physical aspects of pain during sex, problematic advice in Christian books, understanding women's libido, the connection between household chores and women's sexuality, misconceptions about sex drives, and harmful messages in Christian relationships.
Harmful messages in popular Christian marriage books negatively impact women's sexual satisfaction and marital relationships.
The study 'The Great Sex Rescue' reveals the correlation between evangelical teachings and sexual pain disorders, decreased satisfaction, and marital dissatisfaction among women.
The podcast challenges harmful stereotypes about women's sexual desires and emphasizes the importance of mutual intimacy, pleasure, and open communication in sexual relationships.
Deep dives
Harmful Messages in Christian Marriage Books
The podcast episode explores the harmful messages found in popular Christian marriage books. The guests, Sheila Ray Griguar and her daughter, Rebecca Lindbach, discuss their research on evangelical teachings and the impact on sex and marriage for women. They expose the harmful idea that sex is primarily for men and the damage it causes to women's sexual satisfaction and marital relationships. They also highlight the dangerous teaching that all men struggle with lust and how it negatively affects women's trust and libido. The episode emphasizes the need to challenge and redefine these damaging messages to create healthier attitudes towards sex and marriage.
The Great Sex Rescue Study
Sheila and Rebecca discuss their groundbreaking study, 'The Great Sex Rescue,' which involved surveying 20,000 Christian women on their experiences with sex, marital satisfaction, and beliefs about sexuality. The study aimed to examine the impact of evangelical teachings on women's sexual and marital well-being. Key findings revealed the correlation between harmful teachings and increased sexual pain disorders, decreased sexual satisfaction, and heightened marital dissatisfaction. The guests stress the importance of understanding women's sexual experiences, debunking harmful myths, and promoting a more holistic and intimate view of sex within Christian marriages.
Understanding Female Sexuality and Libido
The podcast delves into the complex topic of female sexuality and libido. The guests challenge stereotypes and myths about women's sexual desires and highlight the importance of considering individual experiences and differences. They address the orgasm gap between men and women, revealing that evangelical teachings can contribute to lower orgasm rates and sexual dysfunction among women. The discussion also touches on the influence of stress, mental load, and cultural expectations on women's libido. The episode promotes a more nuanced understanding of female sexuality, encouraging mutual intimacy, pleasure, and open communication in sexual relationships.
The damaging messages about women's sexuality
The podcast episode explores the harmful messages that women have been fed about sex and their sexuality. It highlights how these messages contribute to women feeling obligated to have sex for the sake of their husbands and how this can impact their own enjoyment and desire for sex. The podcast also discusses the role of sexual abuse and trauma in shaping women's attitudes towards sex, and how the church often fails to address the deep-seated issues caused by abuse.
The need for a healthier approach to sex in marriage
The podcast emphasizes the importance of a more holistic and relational approach to sex in marriage. It challenges the traditional views that prioritize male sexual desires and perpetuate harmful stereotypes about women's sexuality. The episode underscores the need for consent, emotional closeness, and mutual understanding in sexual relationships. It calls for a shift in focus from frequency to quality, and from obligation to genuine pleasure and intimacy for both partners.
Sheila has written seven books including award-winning book The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex and the forthcoming The Great Sex Rescue, which she coauthored with her daughter, Rebecca Lindenbach. Both Sheila and Rebecca speak and write about a Christian view of sex, often correcting problems created by a purity culture approach to sex.
Theology in the Raw Conference - Exiles in Babylon
At the Theology in the Raw conference, we will be challenged to think like exiles about race, sexuality, gender, critical race theory, hell, transgender identities, climate change, creation care, American politics, and what it means to love your democratic or republican neighbor as yourself. Different views will be presented. No question is off limits. No political party will be praised. Everyone will be challenged to think. And Jesus will be upheld as supreme.