Mt. Airy’s Rev. Beverly Dale is challenging traditional religious views on sexuality with her new book, "Who Told You That You Were Naked? Meditations on the Sexual Body." Dale's work aims to bridge the gap between spirituality and sexuality, offering a perspective that celebrates the human body and pleasure as divine gifts.

Dale will present her book on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 5 p.m. at the Mt Airy Art Garage, 7054 Germantown Ave., alongside sexologist Dr. David Ahmad-Stout. The book is published by Pilgrim Press in Cleveland, which is affiliated with the United Church of Christ. "I love the open-mindedness in Mt. Airy," Dale said. "That's why the book rollout will be here.”

Now in her 60s, Dale has lived in Mt. Airy for 25 years. She was ordained in the Illinois/Wisconsin region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 40 years ago and served as an ecumenical campus minister at the University of Pennsylvania for 21 years until 2010. After leaving her position at Penn, she began writing and in 2013 founded the Incarnation Institute for Sex & Faith, a non-profit organization that has trained 58 sexual health professionals and clergy in Level 1, with 25 advancing to Level 2.

"I wrote this new book for those people who want to heal from the sexual guilt, body shame and judgment of the religious community towards sexuality," Dale explained. "This book is for the people in the pews or who left the pews. Many struggle with issues of traditional church teaching, gender and sexual shame. I offer exercises they can do. They don't have to stay in shame."

Dale identifies erotophobia as a significant issue, noting, "The church has always been uncomfortable with pleasure, sexuality and women. Her interest in this subject stems from personal experience. 

"I was sexually abused by an uncle when I was a child," she revealed. "And that stimulated my interest in this subject. He was a deacon in the church, but he would not apologize. I don't fault him as much as I do the church and society. I had to ask myself if God justifies the abuse of little girls. And is sex something to be ashamed of? That's what a great many people think."

This isn't Dale's first foray into this controversial territory. In 2019, she published "Advancing Sexual Health for the Christian Client: Data and Dogma" (Routledge), aimed at helping clergy address harmful Christian beliefs around sexuality. The book was written specifically for professional clergymen and women to give them the tools to help constituents with "potentially harmful Christian beliefs around sexuality and the unholy trinity of sexual guilt, shame and fear." It received positive reviews from experts in the field, including Dr. Virginia R. Mollenkott, author of "Sensuous Spirituality" and "Is the Homosexual My Neighbor?," who described it as "a perfect resource for sex therapists" and "a book to be treasured by therapists, their clients and curious readers as well."

Dale anticipates some pushback from conservative religious circles. "Because I anticipate the right-wingers will come after me with torches and axes when it is discovered that I am teaching a Christianity that is pro-body and pro-sex, I need to be prepared," she said. "So I have asked all of my friends to call me Dale as it is a stronger name than Bev, and it reminds me when I hear it not to take any s--- from people who don't like what I do."

Dale expressed concern about the current cultural climate, citing some extreme thinkers who are “in a sexual moral panic” and want to “go back to 'The Handmaid's Tale.' 

“If you can control people's pleasure, you can control their lives,” she said. “ Domination prevents pleasure."

Beyond her writing, Dale is also a grandmother of three, a playwright, and a performer. She has written and performed a one-woman show for secular audiences called "An Irreverent Journey from Eggbeaters to Vibrators." A published author of other articles and poetry on sexuality and faith, she has received grants to write several songs that address these topics as well.

Dale's multifaceted approach to addressing sexuality and faith continues with her upcoming speaking engagement and book signing at the United Church of Christ in Levittown on Sunday, Nov. 10, at 10:30 a.m., with a book signing at 1 p.m. She also serves as a visiting pastor at this church.

For more information about the Rev. Beverly Dale and her work, interested readers can visit beverlydale.org.

Len Lear can be reached at lenlear@chestnuthilllocal.com