About this book:

*Scripture, Sex, and Power: Gender, Sexuality, and Religious Norms* provides a comprehensive critical analysis of how religious texts, institutions, and traditions construct and enforce norms surrounding human embodiment. The book moves beyond a simple review of sacred writings to examine the "political economy of morality," demonstrating how interpretation is a tool of power often used to stabilize patriarchies, regulate sexual behavior through purity rituals, and marginalize those who exist outside heteronormative or able-bodied ideals. By applying feminist, queer, and intersectional theories, the text deconstructs "natural" gender roles as historical inventions and explores the evolution of religious stances on marriage, celibacy, contraception, and reproduction.

The work delves into the darker histories of religious authority, specifically addressing the systemic roots of clergy sexual abuse, the silencing of victims through institutional cover-ups, and the role of colonial "missionary modernities" in suppressing indigenous gender diversity and sexual fluidities. It balances these critiques with contemporary case studies of reform, such as the movement for women’s ordination in Catholicism and the global struggle for gender justice in Islam through organizations like Musawah. These examples illustrate how marginalized groups use "hermeneutics of retrieval" to uncover egalitarian and liberating themes within their own traditions, reclaiming the sacred as a site of inclusion rather than exclusion.

In its final sections, the book addresses the modern frontier of "digital piety," examining how social media and online communities both facilitate spiritual connection for the marginalized and present new ethical challenges regarding pornography and digital harassment. It provides practical frameworks for clergy and activists to implement trauma-informed pastoral care and foster constructive communal dialogue. Ultimately, the book advocates for a "plural ethics" and a "theology of delight," imagining a future where religious traditions evolve into resilient, accountable communities that prioritize the flourishing and bodily autonomy of all individuals over rigid doctrinal control.

What You'll Find Inside:

• Critical analysis of how religious texts and institutions shape gender roles and sexual ethics, examining power dynamics in interpretation across traditions
• Examination of purity rituals, marriage norms, reproductive ethics, and LGBTQ+ inclusion through feminist, queer, and intersectional lenses
• Case studies of reform movements including feminist exegesis in Catholicism, gender justice in Islam (Musawah), and marriage equality in mainline Protestantism
• Practical tools for faith leaders and activists on dialogue, pastoral care, consent culture, addressing clergy abuse, and creating inclusive communities
• Exploration of contemporary challenges including digital piety, disability embodiment, colonial legacies, and imagining plural ethics for religious futures

Who's It For:

This book is for activists seeking tools to organize within religious contexts without reducing faith to ideology; clergy and pastoral caregivers needing frameworks for accompaniment centered on consent, humility, and harm reduction; educators and students looking for a rigorous yet accessible map of the field that balances historical depth with contemporary urgency; and anyone engaged in religious reform work who wants practical resources like dialogue guides, discernment questions, and policy review models for congregations and faith-based institutions.