Disclaimer: I only choose to review books that I have found value in either personally or professionally. All opinions regarding this book are solely my own and were not solicited by the author or publisher.

Deconstructing faith and deconstructing purity culture often go hand in hand.

This is because the process of indoctrinating people into a high control religion nearly always includes a layer of purity culture indoctrination.

I, myself, was coming of age at the height of the Purity Movement in the 90s and early 2000’s.

I was given a purity ring in the shape of a knot with the purity cult motto “True Love Waits” engraved across the top.

As a young teen, I wore my purity ring with pride.

You see, at that point I didn’t yet realize how destructive it was for the adults in my life to determine my worthiness by my sexual behavior.

I didn’t know how damaging it would become to have my awakening sexuality inextricably linked to guilt and shame.

Why This Book Matters

Pure: Inside the Evangelical Movement that Shamed a Generation of Young Women and How I broke Free thoroughly captures the complex, intense harms of purity culture.

It’s a journalistic exposé that considers not only the author’s own personal narrative but also the stories of many other young women have been harmed by purity culture, often with lasting and devastating effects.

Through her research, Linda Kay Klein delves deep into the history and messages behind purity culture, revealing its origins as a tactic to control women’s sexuality in patriarchal societies.

In the evangelical community, an “impure” girl or woman isn’t just seen as damaged; she’s considered dangerous. Not only to the men we were told we must protect by covering up our bodies, but to our entire community. For if our men — the heads of our households and the leaders of our churches — fell, we all fell.

Linda Kay Klein, Pure, Pg 4

By examining the damaging effects of purity culture on people and on society as a whole, this book highlights the need for critical thinking and questioning of religious teachings that promote shame and guilt around human sexuality.

It also emphasizes the importance of advocating for comprehensive and inclusive sex education that empowers people to make informed decisions about their own bodies and sexual lives, free from harmful religious dogma.

Moreover, Pure serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that religion can have on all people and on society as a whole, particularly in how it perpetuates harmful gender roles and reinforces systems that are oppressive to sexual expression and sexual diversity.

Who Should Read This Book

This is my MOST recommended book when it comes to understanding purity culture and how it impacts those affected by it.

I really think everyone should read this book because this issue is so pervasive in U.S. culture in general, as well as in other countries, I’m sure…

But here are a few of the populations who definitely should read it.

Anyone Recovering from Purity Culture:

This book would be particularly helpful for those who have been affected by the teachings of purity culture and are now seeking to understand their experiences and move beyond the guilt and shame associated with it.

Educators and Therapists:

If you work with people who have been affected by purity culture, you will find invaluable insights in this book. It will help you better understand the experiences of your students or clients, so you can provide a more empathetic and informed level of care.

Feminist Scholars and Activists:

This book provides a significant contribution to discussions on women’s rights, sexuality, and religion. Feminist scholars and activists interested in these intersections would likely find a great deal of benefit from the personal narratives and overall content of this book.

Men:

I often say that all humans are affected by purity culture, even cisgender, heterosexual men. And for men who feel they haven’t been personally affected, it’s possible you love someone who has been.

When my partner and I started dating, I asked him to read this book to help him better understand my background and experiences with religion and purity culture. He wasn’t raised with any kind of religion and purity culture was a pretty foreign concept to him.

Having this book as a basis of shared knowledge has been so so helpful for us in navigating aspects of our relationship that are impacted by my experiences with purity culture.

Purity Culture Goes Beyond Evangelicalism

Even though Evangelical Christianity was a major driving force behind the Purity Movement and all the paraphernalia that accompanied it, purity culture permeates many other religious communities and institutions as well

As I mentioned above, nearly every high control religion out there has a layer of purity culture woven through it.

This is because controlling people’s bodies and sexuality is at the core of purity culture.

So even though this book’s focal point is Evangelical Christianity — anyone, regardless of your faith background, will benefit from reading it.

For Further Reading

• Check out: My Other Recommended Books
• Related article: How to Reclaim Your Sexuality After Purity Culture

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