Final answer:
The centrality of abstinence in evangelical Christianity is rooted in historical Protestant ethics, the influence of the Social Gospel Movement, and conservative social values that promote traditionalist views on family and sexual morality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The message of abstinence is central to evangelical Christianity for several reasons, many of which relate to the faith's historical and doctrinal emphases. In the 1820s, Presbyterian minister Lyman Beecher's sermons on temperance called for total abstinence from hard liquor, which became influential in promoting a sober and hardworking middle-class ethic. These beliefs were compatible with the broader Protestant ethic of that time, which valued self-discipline and self-improvement.
Evangelical Christianity also supports abstinence as part of the Social Gospel Movement, which was closely tied to Progressive beliefs in 'applied Christianity.' This movement promoted the idea that Christians should influence society for the better by encouraging moral behavior, which included the prohibition of alcohol. Moreover, the growth of the evangelical base of the New Right in the 1970s demonstrated a continued dedication to conservative social values, including abstinence. This was part of a larger effort to promote a traditionalist agenda, which saw abstinence as a means to protect the family unit and social order.
Finally, in the context of sexuality education, many evangelical Christians prefer abstinence-only education, with an emphasis on waiting until marriage for sexual activity, as opposed to comprehensive sex education programs that include information about contraception and safer sexual practices. This preference aligns with their religious beliefs about sexual morality and the sanctity of marriage. Despite the ongoing debates and some public preference for education on safer sexual practices, abstinence remains a central tenet for many in the evangelical community.