The chastity movement started by evangelicals in the U.S. is spreading to Africa and gaining an ecumenical following.
The Long Island Catholic (Jan. 31) reports that young Africans are signing strict chastity pledges to avoid AIDS and the promiscuity of their peers. True Love Waits Kenya is a non-denominational movement, although it has received substantial funding from the Catholic Church in Kenya.
The movement stated among Southern Baptists in the U.S. and has been hailed as preventing and delaying teenage sexual involvement. Because contraception is ruled out, Catholic leaders have eagerly endorsed the movement. In Kenya, where promiscuity is prevalent and AIDS is threatening to wipe out an entire generation, the True Love Waits message is “finding increasing resonance among some young people.”
Yet others are skeptical. One 24-year-old says it’s a good idea but “not very realistic. If you’re having a relationship with someone in Kenya, it almost goes without saying that you will have sex.”
