Forgetting How to Blush: United Methodism's Compromise with the Sexual Revolution

by Karen Booth

Tracing the historical, scientific, political, religious and cultural trends in relation to the sexual revolution, Karen Booth exposes many assumptions, alliances and errors that are rarely considered in the public dialogues and debates over the church's stance on homosexuality.

377 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2012

Reviews

[Meshach Kanyion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karen Booth did her homework in putting this together. One of the downsides of the book is that she tries to fit in all in. At times it feels as if I'm reading info that should've been in the footnotes. But, I suppose, that is the type of work it was meant to be. She provides enough info for any honest inquirer to fact check and do their own research.

I read this book to gain a better historical understanding on the development of many of the sexual issues we face today. I wasn't reading to be convinced, but to learn. And learn I did. I typically make it a practice of reading both sides of the debate to be even handed. I'd certainly recommend this book to anyone who is trying to learn and make up their mind, or simply get a better understanding of how we arrived at our current cultural position.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding historical survey of how United Methodist Church became embroiled in the controversy over whether or not to affirm same-sex relationships. I highly recommend it, although it does not cover the recent history of the last few years. It documents the efforts by activists to force change in the UMC in response to changing sexual mores in the 1960s and beyond.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Booth takes a scholarly and well-researched approach to the history of the sexual revolution in America and how segments of and individual leaders within the United Methodist church cooperated with a calculated agenda to make promiscuity and homosexuality normalized in our society. Her research shows that personal biases slanted much of the so-called studies of the 1960s that suggested promiscuity and homosexuality were "natural" behaviors. She makes the case that many people in the US today are quoting what amounts to propaganda as if it were scientific fact. She makes a compelling case as well in quoting leaders in the gay and lesbian movements who advocated the approach (decades ago) to target Christians and churches and to publicly accuse them of hatred. Basically there was the belief that if the churches could be manipulated into a position of acceptance that the rest of society would follow.

The other factor at work is an abandonment of basic biblical doctrine in the Methodist and other mainline churches. Curriculum and internal studies published by the United Methodist Church neglected to cite scripture for the basis of a moral position! In many instances the materials given to children and youth were sexually liberal and based on the faulty studies and cultural trend rather than what God says in the Bible or what (more specifically) Jesus taught in the Gospels.

Lastly, she does hold out hope that the United Methodist Church today and going forward may well be among the last remaining mainline protestant churches to stand firm (at least as an organization as a whole) in its position that practice of homosexuality is considered sin and is incompatible with ordained ministry. Also same sex marriage will continue to be seen as a societal invention, having no basis in the word of God. Much of this hope is due to the tremendous growth of the United Methodist Church in Africa, a segment that is on fire with the Holy Spirit and devoted in terms of basing belief on scripture itself. Booth also points at a number of "back to basics" movements within the United Methodist Church in America, such as the Confessing Movement.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scholarly account of United Methodism's compromise with the sexual revolution and the campaign to undermine Scriptural truths for the sake of serving self rather than God. Booth calls the church to reclaim its mission to bring holiness back into Methodism.