One of my favorite ways to spend my time is listening to podcasts. From pop culture and political issues, to current events, the range is vast. I recently stumbled upon a podcast that examines church trauma experienced by church staff or volunteers. The focus of the podcast is primarily Acts 29 churches or those within the Southern Baptist Convention. Growing up United Methodist, it was intriguing to learn about the make up and processes of these churches. The expectations described were so intense and bordered on cultish.

One of the things that shocked me me the most is the inappropriate interest church leaders have in the sex lives of their staff and congregation. I knew that the church cared about adultery and non heterosexual relationships. However, I did not realize that there are entire networks of churches that feel that it is their right and responsibility to dictate how often couples should have sex and the details of those interactions. Never, in all of my years of attending church, has a pastor preached from the pulpit about sex. Nothing about who should or should not be engaging in sex, or how to dress to avoid tempting others.

In the weeks since beginning to listen to the podcast, a lot of things have become clearer for me. There is an entire subset of churches that revolve around sex. They spend much of their energy preventing sex before marriage. Then they spend more energy encouraging sex within marriage. This is why they are so concerned about LGBTQIA individuals and drag shows. Their faith revolves not around Jesus, but around sex.