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Abstract

This paper examines the identity negotiations of undergraduate students who identify as both feminist and evangelical Christian. Studies of the negotiation of religious identities and social identities have primarily focused on contexts such as sexuality/religion, context/location, and culture/religion. This study, however, focuses on young adults attending private, religious universities while openly identifying as religious and feminist. By pinpointing Christian universities, this study uncovers an additional layer of tension, since these schools “arguably exert a stronger influence over their students than churches, religious denominations, or parachurch ministries” (Gardner, 2017, p. 33). From 14 interviews with feminist Christian students using Ting-Toomey’s INT as a theoretical foundation, rhetorical performance and invitation were found existing as strategic methods students used to negotiate particular discursive tensions brought on by their dual identities.

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