Purity culture backlash over a comedian exposes fear of theological scrutiny

(RNS) — Christian comedian Kevin Fredericks, better known as KevOnStage, didn’t seem like he was trying to instigate another public debate about sexual ethics and Christian faithfulness in his comments during his podcast . But the discourse exploded anyway when a video randomly resurfaced, went viral and received apparent backlash, according to several Black progressive social media creators who chimed in.

When he yelled “I beat my meat” into the microphone during the podcast interview, he was explaining that his views on masturbation had changed and the strategy he employs to stay faithful to his wife on the road during his extensive touring schedule. But online, Black social media users are now using the name of KevOnStage to discuss masturbation and Christianity more broadly. It could be in part because Fredericks has been talked about on social media frequently for his apparent public deconstruction, through which he has also supported LGBTQ+ inclusion .

“This conversation about KevOnStage really isn’t about masturbation. It’s actually something much bigger than that,” explains Pastor Kristian A. Smith in an Instagram reel . “Kev is a threat to fundamentalist Christianity.…