section_path: Religious sexual morality/Christianity/Evangelicalism
section_name: Evangelicalism
paragraph_text: Evangelicalism
  
  In matters of sexuality, several Evangelical churches promote the virginity pledge among young Evangelical Christians, who are invited to commit themselves during a public ceremony to sexual abstinence until Christian marriage. This pledge is often symbolized by a purity ring.
  
  In evangelical churches, young adults and unmarried couples are encouraged to marry early in order to live a sexuality according to the will of God.
  
  Although some churches are discreet on the subject, other evangelical churches in United States and Switzerland speak of a satisfying sexuality as a gift from God and a component of a harmonious Christian marriage, in messages during worship services or conferences. Many evangelical books and websites are specialized on the subject.
  
  The perceptions of homosexuality in the Evangelical Churches are varied. They range from liberal through moderate to conservative.
  
  The christian marriage is presented by some churches as a protection against sexual misconduct and a compulsory step to obtain a position of responsibility in the church. This concept, however, has been challenged by numerous sex scandals involving married evangelical leaders. Finally, evangelical theologians recalled that celibacy should be more valued in the Church today, since the gift of celibacy was taught and lived by Jesus Christ and Paul of Tarsus.