What do you think?
Rate this book
Virgin Nation: Sexual Purity and American Adolescence
First taking hold of the American cultural imagination in the 1990s, the sexual purity movement of contemporary evangelicalism has since received considerable attention from a wide range of media outlets, religious leaders, and feminist critics. Virgin Nation offers a history of this movement that goes beyond the Religious Right, demonstrating a link between sexual purity rhetoric and fears of national decline that has shaped American ideas about morality since the nineteenth century.
Concentrating on two of today's best known purity organizations, True Loves Waits and Silver Ring Thing, Sara Moslener's investigation reveals that purity work over the last two centuries has developed in concert with widespread fears of changing traditional gender roles and sexual norms, national decline, and global apocalypse. Moslener highlights a number of points in U.S. history when evangelical beliefs and values have seemed to provide viable explanations for and solutions to widespread cultural crises, resulting in the growth of their cultural and political influence. By asserting a causal relationship between sexual immorality, national decline, and apocalyptic anticipation, leaders have shaped a purity rhetoric that positions Protestant evangelicalism as the salvation of American civilization.
From the purity reformers of the nineteenth century to fundamentalist leaders such as Billy Graham and Carl F.H. Henry, Moslener illuminates the evolution of a strain of purity rhetoric that runs throughout Protestant evangelicalism.
Concentrating on two of today's best known purity organizations, True Loves Waits and Silver Ring Thing, Sara Moslener's investigation reveals that purity work over the last two centuries has developed in concert with widespread fears of changing traditional gender roles and sexual norms, national decline, and global apocalypse. Moslener highlights a number of points in U.S. history when evangelical beliefs and values have seemed to provide viable explanations for and solutions to widespread cultural crises, resulting in the growth of their cultural and political influence. By asserting a causal relationship between sexual immorality, national decline, and apocalyptic anticipation, leaders have shaped a purity rhetoric that positions Protestant evangelicalism as the salvation of American civilization.
From the purity reformers of the nineteenth century to fundamentalist leaders such as Billy Graham and Carl F.H. Henry, Moslener illuminates the evolution of a strain of purity rhetoric that runs throughout Protestant evangelicalism.
232 pages, Hardcover
First published April 29, 2015
13 people are currently reading
621 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 29, 2015
ARC for review.
I wanted to read this book because I've always been disturbed/fascinated with the fundamentalist idea of virginity pledges and purity balls, especially the way in which young women are often treated as the property of their fathers until they are given away to their husbands (hopefully at an early age so they have plenty of time to pump out Duggar-like process of pushing out new recruits). However, don't get it twisted - this book is based in the author's doctoral dissertation, so this is a scholarly look at the phenomenon, specifically the Silver Ring Thing and True Love Waits programs - there's no pop culture treatment like we've seen in documentaries like "Jesus Camp" or on various TLC specials covering these events.
Moslener begins with the history of the movement, the roots of which are seen in the nineteenth century Christian evangelical movement and has often been tied to not just the idea that God requires purity, but also that sexual purity in adolescents leads to a stronger America, especially during the days of the great evil of Communism (we also see the rise of Billy Graham and Focus on the Family throughout the narrative and although events have been held in other countries this is largely a purely American cause). Some in the movement opine that the SRT and TLW are instrumental to holding off the apocalypse (his name is Denny Pattyn and I don't think you're going to want to have him over for Thanksgiving dinner). What has changed in recent times is making this proclamation of chastity a public event, complete with rings and other outward symbols, which the author sees as the fundamentalists answer to the difficulty of drawing in today's media-soaked, entertainment centered teen.
Moslener also covers the rise of the "New Paradigm" churches - the mega churches, the churches that embrace non-traditional music and technology but retain the standards of biblical fundamentalism. This includes the shift from the idea of "religion" to that of "spirituality", but the new paradigm churches really only pay lip service to any real changes - the basic conservatism remains the same and secular culture is still the enemy. In addition, the men are still considered to hold dominion over women and the family and, despite attempts to disavow a connection to politics, it's clear that, especially as the Reagan administration came to power, these groups have held and continue to have a large political influence. For example, the Silver Ring Thing has received federal funding of $1.4 million dollars. One point four million. Of our tax dollars.
Have I mentioned this is a scholarly work? I promise I read every word, and I made tons more notes than I've covered here. However I must admit that at some moments my eyes glazed over and I began to wonder if my husband had really eaten all the Girl Scout cookies and shouldn't I probably go check that right away? So even reading about sex (and the lack thereof) can get tedious. I wish Moslener had employed more of the "showing not telling" rule of writing - she discusses various aspects of the Silver Ring Thing in a number of ways, but it would have been more effective if she had walked us through the entire event, then commented with her thoughts. Though this wasn't an easy read, I learned a lot and it's a great resource for those interested in a serious, scholarly look at the movement.
I wanted to read this book because I've always been disturbed/fascinated with the fundamentalist idea of virginity pledges and purity balls, especially the way in which young women are often treated as the property of their fathers until they are given away to their husbands (hopefully at an early age so they have plenty of time to pump out Duggar-like process of pushing out new recruits). However, don't get it twisted - this book is based in the author's doctoral dissertation, so this is a scholarly look at the phenomenon, specifically the Silver Ring Thing and True Love Waits programs - there's no pop culture treatment like we've seen in documentaries like "Jesus Camp" or on various TLC specials covering these events.
Moslener begins with the history of the movement, the roots of which are seen in the nineteenth century Christian evangelical movement and has often been tied to not just the idea that God requires purity, but also that sexual purity in adolescents leads to a stronger America, especially during the days of the great evil of Communism (we also see the rise of Billy Graham and Focus on the Family throughout the narrative and although events have been held in other countries this is largely a purely American cause). Some in the movement opine that the SRT and TLW are instrumental to holding off the apocalypse (his name is Denny Pattyn and I don't think you're going to want to have him over for Thanksgiving dinner). What has changed in recent times is making this proclamation of chastity a public event, complete with rings and other outward symbols, which the author sees as the fundamentalists answer to the difficulty of drawing in today's media-soaked, entertainment centered teen.
Moslener also covers the rise of the "New Paradigm" churches - the mega churches, the churches that embrace non-traditional music and technology but retain the standards of biblical fundamentalism. This includes the shift from the idea of "religion" to that of "spirituality", but the new paradigm churches really only pay lip service to any real changes - the basic conservatism remains the same and secular culture is still the enemy. In addition, the men are still considered to hold dominion over women and the family and, despite attempts to disavow a connection to politics, it's clear that, especially as the Reagan administration came to power, these groups have held and continue to have a large political influence. For example, the Silver Ring Thing has received federal funding of $1.4 million dollars. One point four million. Of our tax dollars.
Have I mentioned this is a scholarly work? I promise I read every word, and I made tons more notes than I've covered here. However I must admit that at some moments my eyes glazed over and I began to wonder if my husband had really eaten all the Girl Scout cookies and shouldn't I probably go check that right away? So even reading about sex (and the lack thereof) can get tedious. I wish Moslener had employed more of the "showing not telling" rule of writing - she discusses various aspects of the Silver Ring Thing in a number of ways, but it would have been more effective if she had walked us through the entire event, then commented with her thoughts. Though this wasn't an easy read, I learned a lot and it's a great resource for those interested in a serious, scholarly look at the movement.
March 28, 2015
Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley.
Moslener’s book traces the purity movement in America from its earliest forms to how it is known today. While I found Jessica Valenti’s book, The Purity Myth, to be more relevant, Moslener’s book is important because it is important to know history. To be frank, the history of the purity isn’t quite what you automatically would believe it to be. I found the section that detailed the connection to the suffrage movement to be the most interesting part. At times, the book does drag a bit, but it does provide a very interesting background to what seems to be a glossed over movement in the media.
Moslener’s book traces the purity movement in America from its earliest forms to how it is known today. While I found Jessica Valenti’s book, The Purity Myth, to be more relevant, Moslener’s book is important because it is important to know history. To be frank, the history of the purity isn’t quite what you automatically would believe it to be. I found the section that detailed the connection to the suffrage movement to be the most interesting part. At times, the book does drag a bit, but it does provide a very interesting background to what seems to be a glossed over movement in the media.
October 23, 2016
Thought-provoking and curtain-raising. I got this book after reading this interview with the author (http://www.salon.com/2015/07/08/evang...) and it made me like the author. The book does go on a bit, so if you don't have the time or commitment to read the whole thing and don't necessarily want to parse all the nuances of Puritans and purity, here's an excerpt: http://www.salon.com/2015/06/28/secre...
October 30, 2025
Sara Moslener’s Virgin Nation is one of those rare works of scholarship that manages to be both intellectually rigorous and deeply revealing about the culture it examines. What might sound like a niche subject the sexual purity movement within American evangelicalism quickly unfolds into something much larger: a sweeping history of how anxieties about sex, gender, and morality have been woven into the fabric of America’s national identity.
Moslener traces purity rhetoric from the nineteenth century to the rise of modern evangelical organizations like True Love Waits and Silver Ring Thing, showing how fears about moral decline, shifting gender roles, and even apocalypse have consistently fueled calls for “national renewal.” Her research is meticulous, but what really stands out is how accessible her writing is she never loses the reader in jargon or detached analysis.
Reading this book, I was struck by how much purity culture has shaped not only religious discourse but American politics, education, and even popular culture. Moslener doesn’t attack her subject; instead, she dissects it with empathy and precision, allowing readers to see both the historical logic and the emotional power behind purity campaigns.
For anyone interested in the intersection of faith, sexuality, and national identity, Virgin Nation is essential reading. It’s a sobering, thought-provoking look at how moral ideals can become instruments of control—and how deeply they continue to influence the American conscience today.
Moslener traces purity rhetoric from the nineteenth century to the rise of modern evangelical organizations like True Love Waits and Silver Ring Thing, showing how fears about moral decline, shifting gender roles, and even apocalypse have consistently fueled calls for “national renewal.” Her research is meticulous, but what really stands out is how accessible her writing is she never loses the reader in jargon or detached analysis.
Reading this book, I was struck by how much purity culture has shaped not only religious discourse but American politics, education, and even popular culture. Moslener doesn’t attack her subject; instead, she dissects it with empathy and precision, allowing readers to see both the historical logic and the emotional power behind purity campaigns.
For anyone interested in the intersection of faith, sexuality, and national identity, Virgin Nation is essential reading. It’s a sobering, thought-provoking look at how moral ideals can become instruments of control—and how deeply they continue to influence the American conscience today.
November 20, 2020
Amazing readable book that connects so many dots between Christian nationalism and purity culture. Moslener exposes how purity culture is a tool of the Evangelicals to indoctrinate each generation of youth with subtle ideas of Christian nationalism.
November 23, 2022
lol remember the time that purity culture was part of the feminist movement and then fear-mongering conservatives appropriated it to link the welfare of the nation to the sexual abstinence of the youth in the Cold War?
May 12, 2022
An interesting (and kind of surprising) take on the origins of purity culture in America. Also, the modern movement of this is gross in many, many ways.
Read
April 5, 2015Review forthcoming in Library Journal.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews