Christian group Generation Life has sent young activists to the Jersey shore for two decades, trying to promote chastity before marriage. On a June Saturday, ten members fanned out across a beach known for its party culture, hoping to spark conversations about love and abstinence. The mission faced an uphill battle, as beachgoers frequently rebuffed their opening question: 'What do you think love is?'
Chiara MacGillivray, 23, and Jon Sechuk, 27, approached a young man who had just ended a relationship. When MacGillivray asked if he had heard of chastity, he replied, 'That means not having sex, right?' She explained that chastity is about seeing others for who they are. The man then referenced the film 'Robin Hood: Men in Tights' and its chastity belt, showing little interest in the message.
Generation Life, based in Pennsylvania, continues its 'beach outreach' despite the challenges posed by shifting social norms. The internet has made pornography ubiquitous, and movements like #MeToo have reshaped conversations around sexuality. Around a quarter of young people now identify as LGBTQ+, and many are secular, making the Christian message of abstinence increasingly marginal.
For the activists, the difficulty of their task is part of the point. 'We wouldn't be impacting as many people if we just preached to the choir,' said Tino DiMurro, 21. Despite the obstacles, the group persists, offering a counter-narrative to the culture of hedonism that defines the Jersey shore.
