In this conversation, Catherine Quiring speaks with Jenny McGrath, a licensed mental health counselor and researcher on purity culture. They explore the impact of purity culture on women's identities, the healing power of movement, and the connection to nature. Jenny shares her journey of deconstructing her faith and understanding the historical roots of Christian nationalism. The discussion emphasizes the importance of community, liberation, and the need for a deeper connection to our bodies and the world around us. In this conversation, they explore the complexities of cultural identity, the challenges of safety in connection, and the need for revolutionary change in the face of capitalism. Jenny reflects on her personal journey through purity culture and missionary work, the ethical implications of NGOs, and the contradictions within Christian nationalism. The discussion also delves into the importance of reconnecting with ancestral spirituality and the transformative power of embodied healing.
Resources
Sensuous Knowledge by Mina Salami
Our Green Heart: the Soul and Science of Forests by by Diana Beresford-Kroeger
Finding the Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard
Earth Path by Starhawk
Sex, God, and the Conservative Church by Tina Schermer Sellers
Elaine Pagels
Constantine’s Sword by James Carroll
adrienne marie brown
Prentiss Hemphill
Anatomy of a Missionary by Jenny McGrath (to be published)
Consent/Control Matrix by Catherine Quiring
Reform or Revolution by Rosa Luxemborg
Lessons for Organizing by Ricardo Levins Morales
Feroze Manji
Taking America Back for God
Connect with Jenny: Website - Instagram
Connect with Catherine: Website - Substack - Instagram
Edited by Catherine Quiring with AI assistance on show notes
Logo by Catherine Quiring
S3E13