LGBTQIA Friendly Churches Online
Religion & Homosexuality
Books on Religion and Sexuality
When Heroes Love by
Susan Ackerman's innovative work carefully examines the stories of Gilgamesh and Enkidu and David and Jonathan for sexual and homoerotic language and suggests that its ambiguity provides new ways of understanding ideas of gender and sexuality in the ancient Near East and its literature. In exploring the stories of Gilgamesh and Enkidu and David and Jonathan, Ackerman cautions against applying modern conceptions of homosexuality to these relationships. Drawing on historical and literary criticism, Ackerman's close readings analyze the stories of David and Gilgamesh in light of contemporary definitions of sexual relationships and gender roles. She argues that these male relationships cannot be taken as same-sex partnerships in the modern sense, but reflect the ancient understanding of gender roles, whether in same- or opposite-sex relationships, as defined as either active (male) or passive (female). Her interpretation also considers the heroes' erotic and sexual interactions with members of the opposite sex. Ackerman shows that the texts' language and erotic imagery suggest more than just an intense male bonding. She argues that, though ambiguous, the erotic imagery and language have a critical function in the texts and serve the political, religious, and aesthetic aims of the narrators.
Radical Love by
Queer theology is more than LGBT people talking about God, according to Cheng, professor at Episcopal Divinity School and ordained minister in the Metropolitan Community Church. The real enterprise for queer theology is challenging binary distinctions and erasing boundaries. This erasure is made possible (indeed demanded) by the radical love espoused by Christianity. Through this love, all boundaries (gay/straight, male/female, life/death, divine/human) are dissolved. The first third of the book gallops through the history and method of queer theology. The barrage of snippets from theologians feels somewhat disjointed and overwhelming, but does provide a taste of the breadth of queer theology. Cheng then uses the framework of the Nicene and Apostles' Creeds to show how radical love can dissolve distinctions. Even liberal Christians might be alarmed at some of the explicit images Cheng connects with God and spiritual matters. Such shocks, however, play into the argument that queer theology should trouble assumptions. Cheng's work provides an accessible if somewhat rushed glimpse into how queer theology works; its main benefit is the extensive bibliography for those wanting more.
Plato or Paul? by
Jennings explores the notion that the origin of Western homophobia lies not in the biblical traditions of Judaism and Christianity but instead has its source in the Greek and Hellenistic sources (mainly the platonic philosophies) often assumed to have been accepting of same-sex eroticism. Jennings is aware this concept goes against the grain of common opinion, and therefore provides ample clarification from official statements of the Vatican and opinions of the United States Supreme Court; texts from Plato and other Hellenistic perspectives; and the writings of Paul.
The Embrace of Eros by
The topic of sexuality intersects directly with the most contested historical, theological, and ethical questions of our day. In this edgy yet profound volume, noted scholars and theologians assay the Christian tradition's classic and contemporary understandings of sex, sexuality, and sexual identity. The project unfolds in three phases: contemporary assessments of the Christian tradition, new thinking about eros and being human religiously, and new perspectives on classic mysteries in light of eros and embodiment.
Love Is an Orientation by
Andrew Marin's life changed forever when his three best friends came out to him in three consecutive months. Suddenly he was confronted with the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community (GLBT) firsthand. And he was compelled to understand how he could reconcile his friends to his faith. In an attempt to answer that question, he and his wife relocated to Boystown, a predominantly GLBT community in Chicago. And from his experience and wrestling has come his book, Love Is an Orientation, a work which elevates the conversation between Christianity and the GLBT community, moving the focus from genetics to gospel, where it really belongs. Why are so many people who are gay wary of people who are Christians? Do GLBT people need to change who they are? Do Christians need to change what they believe? Love Is an Orientation is changing the conversation about sexuality and spirituality, and building bridges from the GLBT community to the Christian community and, more importantly, to the good news of Jesus Christ.
What God Has Joined Together by
Across the country, states have voted, courts have debated, and churches have divided over the legitimacy of same-sex marriage. Amid the uproar one perspective is decidedly missing: that of thoughtful, pro-marriage Christians who, informed by their faith, are struggling to make sense of this issue. What God Has Joined Together? is an effort to bridge the divide between marriage-supporting and gay-supporting people of faith by showing why both sides have important things to say and showing how both sides can coexist. Drawing on scientific research as well as on the Bible, the authors explain that marriage is emotionally, physically, financially, and spiritually beneficial for everyone, not just heterosexuals. They debunk myths about sexual orientation, assess claims of sexual reorientation, and explore what the Bible does and does not say about same-sex relationships. The book ends with a persuasive case for gay marriage and outlines how this can be a win-win solution for all.
Homoeroticism in the Biblical World by
In this book, the author surveys attitudes in the ancient Mediterranean world toward homoeroticism, that is, same-sex erotic relationships. Analyzing documents from Mesopotamia, Israel, Greece, Rome, rabbinic Judaism, and the earliest churches, he concisely introduces the relevant sources and their historical contexts in a readable way.
God Believes in Love by
From the Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire in the Episcopal Church, the first openly gay person elected (in 2003) to the historic episcopate and the world's leading religious spokesperson for gay rights and gay marriage—a groundbreaking book that lovingly and persuasively makes the case for same-sex marriage using a commonsense, reasoned, religious argument, made by someone who holds the religious text of the Bible to be holy and sacred and the ensuing two millennia of church history to be relevant to the discussion, equally familiar with the secular and political debate going on in America today, and for whom same-sex marriage is a personal issue; Robinson was married to a woman for two decades and is a father of two children and has been married to a man for the last four years of a twenty-three-year relationship.
Queer Jews by
In the best prophetic tradition, Queer Jews pushes the envelope of possibilities for what Jewish community and identity can be. -- Rabbi Yoel H. Kahn, scholar-in-residence, Congregation Sherith Israel in San Francisco
We've been long overdue for the book that shows where queer Jewishthought has been over the last few years-and more importantly-where it's headed. Queer Jews addresses just about every aspect of queer Jewish experience, and does so with insight, humor, and a whole lot of chutzpah. This book has vitally important things to teach anyone and everyone who picks it up. -- Danya Ruttenberg, editor of Yentl's Revenge: The Next Wave of Jewish Feminism
Queer Jews is a fun book which delicately balances politics and humor, GBLT and Jewish identity and humanity with spirituality...[The authors'] voices, and the stories they told, made me laugh, made me cry, and made me think. Don't forget to buy a few copies for your parents, rabbis, friends and lovers.
Bible Trouble: Queer Reading at the Boundaries of Biblical Scholarship by
The essays in Bible Trouble all engage queer theories for purposes of biblical interpretation, a rare effort to date within biblical scholarship. The title phrase Bible Trouble plays on Judith Butler s Gender Trouble, gesturing toward a primary text for contemporary queer theory. The essays consider, among others, the Lazarus story, the Ethiopian eunuch, gender trouble in Judges 4 and 5, the Song of Songs, and an unorthodox coupling of the books of Samuel and the film Paris Is Burning. This volume troubles not only the boundaries between biblical scholarship and queer theory but also the boundaries between different frameworks currently used in the analysis of biblical literature, including sexuality, gender, race, class, history, and literature. The contributors are Ellen T. Armour, Michael Joseph Brown, Sean D. Burke, Heidi Epstein, Deryn Guest, Jione Havea, Teresa J. Hornsby, Lynn R. Huber, S. Tamar Kamionkowski, Joseph A. Marchal, Jeremy Punt, Erin Runions, Ken Stone, Gillian Townsley, Jay Twomey, and Manuel Villalobos.
Queer Women and Religious Individualism by
Melissa M. Wilcox explores the complex spiritual lives of queer women in the Los Angeles area. She takes the reader on a tour of a colorful array of religious and secular groups that serve as spiritual resources for these women—from the well-known Metropolitan Community Churches to Wiccan covens, from the Gay and Lesbian Sierrans to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Arguing that these women's stories are exemplary cases of postmodern patterns of religious identity, belief, and practice, Wilcox offers a nuanced analysis of contemporary Western spirituality and selfhood, and a detailed exploration of the history of queer religious organizing in Los Angeles. Queer Women and Religious Individualism is important reading for scholars in religious studies, sociology, women's studies, and LGBT studies.
The Man Jesus Loved by
Homosexuality has been at the forefront of debate in the church for the last quarter century, with biblical interpretation at its heart. In the Man Jesus Loved, Jennings proposes a gay affirmative reading of the Bible in the hope of respecting the integrity of these texts and making them more clear as well as more persuasive. This reading suggests that the exclusion of persons on the basis of their sexual orientation or same-sex practices fundamentally distorts the Bible generally and the traditions concerning Jesus in particular.
Unprotected Texts by
Bible scholar Jennifer Wright Knust addresses the big questions that dominate today's discussions and debates when it comes to sex and the Bible: Is premarital sex a sin? When, and in what contexts, is sexual desire appropriate? With whom can I legitimately have sex? Are same-sex relations permissible? In an era where the phrases, "the Bible says," and "God says," are so often exploited, it is time to consider what the Bible actually does—or does not—say about monogamy, polygamy, homosexuality, gender roles, and sex. Unprotected Texts directly and pointedly takes on widely shared misconceptions about sex, arguing that the Bible cannot—and should not—serve as a rulebook for sexual morality, despite popular claims to the contrary. From the Song of Songs' lyrical eroticism to the rigid sexual rules of Leviticus—and everything in between—Knust parses the Bible's contradictory, often surprising messages. Skillfully revealing the latest insights from critical scholarship, Knust provides a compassionate and liberating model for navigating these deeply personal issues that affect us all.
Gay Religion by
Conflicts over homosexuality and gay rights threaten to break apart denominations, if not North American society. These heated theological and political debates have, as well, obscured the fact that many gays and lesbians are religiously active individuals. Gay Religion is the first book to give a straightforward presentation of the spiritual lives, practices and expressions of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender. Drawing from a wide range of religious traditions, new and established scholars explore the range of gay religious expression in denominations, sects, and even outside recognized religious institutions. The essays ask what these religious innovations mean to the continually evolving religious environment of North America. With its helpful section introductions and an appendix providing profiles of organizations involved, Gay Religion is a unique and compelling resource for anyone interested in homosexuality and American religion.
Local LGBTQIA Friendly Churches
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We believe Christ is calling All Souls' Church to be a renewed church in a changing world. Empowered by the Spirit of God, we respond to Jesus’ call as we deepen our bond with Christ through worship, become a community where all are accepted, and work together to do God’s work in the world. |
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Coral Gables Congregational, United Church of Christ is as a place of affirmation and Christian nurture for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons. The Open and Affirming designation extends a welcome to LGBTQIA+ persons into the full life and ministry of the church. We resolve that God’s love, Christ’s body of fellowship and ministry, and the Spirit’s power are intended for persons of all colors, ages, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities. |
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Congregation Etz Chaim first opened our doors in Miami in 1974, so that gay and lesbian Jews could find a safe and nurturing place of worship and community. Now located in Wilton Manors, Etz Chaim has been the spiritual home for generations of people in the decades since our founding. We continue to be a community that proudly welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and heterosexual singles, couples, and families. |
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At First United Methodist Church of Miami we're a diverse loving and welcoming congregation always open to the Love of Christ and His transforming Grace. No need to dress up, no need to dress down, come as you are! |
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At Plymouth Congregational Church no matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here. We are an Open and Affirming congregation and while we don’t all look or think alike, we all worship together. We worship as a family of faith, gathered in the name of Jesus Christ. It is the experience of worship that shapes us, defines us and propels us into our lives and missions and ministries, seeking to serve the world around us. |
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Riviera Presbyterian Church is an unapologetically progressive community in the Presbyterian Church (USA). We are a family church where families come in all compositions. We believe that all people are God’s beloved children. Riviera welcomes all without regard to race or ethnic background, economic or social circumstances, immigration status, gender, sexual identity and expression, marital status or abilities. |
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St. Stephen's Episcopal Church is a diverse, inclusive, and radically, welcoming community of "all sorts and conditions" of people. We are fiercely committed to the mission that "all are welcome here" -- gay, straight, black, white, old, young, poor, rich, Latin, Anglo, single, married or partnered. We continue our commitment to nurturing families, whether those families are defined traditionally or redefined to meet a diversity of lifestyles and needs. |
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Temple Israel of Greater Miami is a vibrant, caring and inclusive Reform congregation in Downtown Miami that is redefining Jewish life through our uniquely progressive approach to life-long learning, social justice and spirituality. |
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We are a diverse spiritual home that embraces and radiates unconditional love, acceptance, energy and healing. At Unity on the Bay, we believe that there is one power: God, the good, omnipotent, and that the awareness and connection with this power opens the manifest world to its highest and best good in every individual and the universe as a whole. |
Religious Resources
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The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists has a mission to create and support a community of churches, organizations and individuals committed to the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the full life and mission of Baptist churches. |
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The Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies serves three distinct but overlapping constituencies: the world of academic religious scholarship; faith communities; and lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and transgender people and organizations. For each of these constituent groups, CLGS is committed to providing programming and support for research, resources, education for leadership, and community-building/advocacy. |
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Dignity USA works for respect and justice for people of all sexual orientations, genders, and gender identities—especially gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons—in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy, and support. |
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The Gay and Lesbian Vaishnava Association is dedicated to the teachings of Lord Caitanya, the importance of all-inclusiveness within His mission, and the Vedic concept of a natural third gender. Its purpose is to educate Vaishnavas, Hindus and the public in general about the “third sex” as described in Vedic literatures. This knowledge will help to correct many misconceptions that people hold today concerning third-gender people (gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgenders, the intersexed, etc.). |
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PFLAG offers Faith Resources for Muslims. Muslim communities have been subjected to Islamophobia, racism, and violence based on ignorance. In a number of ways, the contemporary Muslim experience mirrors the LGBT experience, and makes support for those whose identities intersect with both communities all the more important. |
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HRC’s Religion and Faith Program seeks to engage all faith traditions in a deeper dialogue on questions of fairness and equality for LGBT Americans. Through initiatives such as Clergy Call for Justice and Equality, a Seminary & Mentorship program and Putting Faith into Action, HRC has been working to build a diverse faith-based movement speaking out for LGBT justice. |
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The Internet Sacred Text Archive site is a freely available archive of electronic texts about religion, mythology, legends and folklore, and occult and esoteric topics. Texts are presented in English translation and, where possible, in the original language. This site has no particular agenda other than promoting religious tolerance and scholarship. Views expressed at this site are solely those of specific authors, and are not endorsed by sacred-texts. Sacred-texts is not sponsored by any religious group or organization. |
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JQY (Jewish Queer Youth) is a nonprofit organization supporting and empowering LGBTQ youth in the Jewish community. JQY fights to ensure the emotional and physical health and safety of these individuals, with a special focus on teens and young adults from Orthodox, Chasidic, and Sephardic communities. Our goal is for all these individuals to know: You are a valued member of the Jewish community and you are not alone. |
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The World Congress of GLBT Jews: Keshet Ga'Avah is an amazing networking resource for LGBTQIA+ Jews from around the world to connect, engage, and support on local, national, continental and global levels. The Hebrew subtitle Keshet Ga’avah – Rainbow of Pride – emphasizes the importance of tradition and diversity. We have member organizations worldwide, hold annual board meetings and host regionals and world conferences on subjects of interest to LBGTQI+ Jews and their allies. The World Congress: Keshet Ga’avah strives to be the voice of LBGTQI+ Jews worldwide. |
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The LGBTQ Religious Archives Network (LGBT-RAN) is an innovative venture in preserving history and encouraging scholarly study of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) religious movements around the world. Recognizing that history is written from the perspective of those who preserve their records, LGBTQ-RAN's overarching purpose is to ensure the preservation and accessibility of the voices and experiences of a great diversity of LGBT religious leaders and groups. |
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Transfaith is a national non-profit that is led by transgender people. We are a multi-tradition, multi-racial, multi-gender, multi-generational organization working to support transgender spiritual/cultural workers and their leadership in community. We work closely with many allied organizations, secular, spiritual, and religious, transgender-led and otherwise. We believe that the experiences, spiritual vitality, and leadership of people of transgender experience make our communities stronger and more vibrant. We bring people together to develop conversation, strategy, and community in order to help us all reach our full potential. |
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Whosoever aims to present a true diversity of voices that allows for the perspectives of those of various faiths, traditions, creeds, cultures, abilities, sexualities, ethnicities, socio-economic levels, geographies and gender expressions. Whosoever doesn’t limit itself solely to what Christians call God. We aim to do this in a way that finds questions more interesting than answers, that values individual prayer and discernment over interpersonal argument, and that values real-world interaction over digital discourse. |
Books on Religion and Sexuality
Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality: Gay People in Western Europe from the Beginning of the Christian Era to the Fourteenth Century by
John Boswell's National Book Award-winning study of the history of attitudes toward homosexuality in the early Christian West was a groundbreaking work that challenged preconceptions about the Church's past relationship to its gay members—among them priests, bishops, and even saints—when it was first published twenty-five years ago. The historical breadth of Boswell's research (from the Greeks to Aquinas) and the variety of sources consulted make this one of the most extensive treatments of any single aspect of Western social history. Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality, still fiercely relevant today, helped form the disciplines of gay and gender studies, and it continues to illuminate the origins and operations of intolerance as a social force.
"What makes this work so exciting is not simply its content—fascinating though that is—but its revolutionary challenge to some of Western culture's most familiar moral assumptions."—Jean Strouse, Newsweek
Buddhism, Sexuality, and Gender by
This book explores historical, textual, and social questions relating to the position and experience of women and gay people in the Buddhist world from India and Tibet to Sri Lanka, China, and Japan. It focuses on four key areas: Buddhist history, contemporary culture, Buddhist symbols, and homosexuality, and it covers Buddhism's entire history, from its origins to the present day. The result of original and innovative research, the author offers new perspectives on the history of the attitudes toward, and of the self-perception of, women in both ancient and modern Buddhist societies. He explores key social issues such as abortion, he examines the use of rhetoric and symbols in Buddhist texts and cultures, and he discusses the neglected subject of Buddhism and homosexuality.
Gifted by Otherness by
In the past two decades or so the issue of homosexuality has taken center stage at national and regional denominational meetings and in local church communities. The response of the majority of churches ranges from condemnation to toleration of the gay and lesbian community, neither of which offers much hope for homosexual Christians. In Gifted by Otherness L. William Countryman and M. R. Ritley conclude that being gay or lesbian is not actually a problem at all; rather it is a vocation, and, in fact, a gift to today's church. As "outsiders" gay men and lesbians challenge the church to be inclusive of all God's children-the central message of the gospel. "God has drawn us to this difficult place," they write, "in order to reveal God's grace to us and in us and through us." Basing their book on retreats they have presented to churches and seminaries, Countryman and Ritley explore what it means to affirm, not merely accept, being gay or lesbian, as well as Christian. Written primarily for the lesbigay community, they explore the ways in which the gay and lesbian community can appropriate and re-tell the biblical story, and find confidence in their unique spiritual journey and gifts. This pro-active and self-affirming book provides new hope for those who feel that it is impossible to be gay or lesbian, as well as Christian.
Sexuality and the Sacred by
Christian discourse on sexuality, spirituality, and ethics has continued to evolve since this book's first edition was published in 1994. This updated and expanded anthology featuring more than thirty contemporary essays includes more theologians and ethicists of color and addresses issues such as the intersection of race/racism and sexuality, transgender identity, same-sex marriage, and reproductive health and justice.
The Queer Bible Commentary by
The Queer Bible Commentary' brings together the work of several scholars and pastors known for their interest in the areas of gender, sexuality and Biblical studies. This comprehensive, cutting-edge commentary is prefaced by an introductory essay by Professor Mary Tolbert.
Jacob's Wound by
Prof. Jennings says that the well-known eroticism of the Hebrew Bible is not confined to heterosexuality but also includes an astonishing diversity of material that lends itself to homoerotic interpretation. In Part one, Jennings examines saga materials associated with David. It is no innovation to detect in the David and Jonathan’s relationship at least the outline of a remarkable love story between two men. What becomes clear, however, is that the tale is far more complex than this since it involves Saul and is set within a context of a warrior society that takes for granted that male heroes will be accompanied by younger or lower status males. Thus the complex erotic connections between David and Saul and David and Jonathan play out against the backdrop of a context of “heroes and pals.”
God's Beauty Parlor: And Other Queer Spaces in and Around the Bible by
God’s Beauty Parlor opens the Bible to the contested body of critical commentary on sex and sexuality known as queer theory and to masculinity studies. Through a series of dazzling re-readings staged not only in God’s beauty parlor, but also in God’s boudoir, locker room, and war room, the author pursues the themes of homoeroticism, masculinity, beauty, and violence through such texts as the Song of Songs, the Gospels, the Letter to the Romans, and the Book of Revelation. He ponders such matters as the curious place of the Song of Songs in the history of sexuality, or how an apparent paean to male-female love became a pretext for literary cross-dressing for legions of male Jewish and Christian commentators; Jesus’ face and physique in relation to ideologies of beauty, ranging from the patristic era, when the “earthly” Jesus was regularly represented as ugly, to the contemporary global culture industry, with its trademark equation of looks with worth; the gendered and sexual substratum of Paul’s doctrine of salvation embedded in his most influential epistle—not least his gendering of righteousness as masculine and sin as feminine; and the intimate imbrication of masculinity and mass death in Revelation, a book about war making men making war-making men . . . some of whom also happen to be gods.
Homosexuality and Christian Faith by
Issues surrounding homosexuality threaten to divide the Christian churches and the people within them. This unique resource presents short pieces from some of the nation's most prominent church leaders - Protestant and Catholic, mainline and evangelical - who address the fundamental moral imperatives about homosexuality. Together they invite the reader to open his or her heart to the Spirit, to tolerance, and to Gospel values. Through personal testimony, factual clarification, and moral suasion, they provide much-needed clarity on the biblical witness and biblical authority, the nature or character of homosexuality and sexual orientation, and many related topics. Contributors include Elise Boulding, Ignacio Castuera, John B. Cobb Jr., William Sloane Coffin, Peggy Campolo, Bishop Paul Egertson, James A. Forbes Jr., Maria Harris, Barbara Kelsey, Morton Kelsey, Gabriel Moran, David G. Myers, Richard Rohr, O.F.M., Ken Sehested, Carole Shields, Donald W. Shriver Jr., M. Mahan Siler Jr., Lewis B. Smedes, and Walter Wink.
Queer Spiritual Spaces by
Drawn from extensive, new and rich empirical research across the UK, Canada and USA, "Queer Spiritual Spaces" investigates the contemporary socio-cultural practices of belief, by those who have historically been, and continue to be, excluded or derided by mainstream religions and alternative spiritualities. As the first monograph to be directly informed by 'queer' subjectivities whilst dealing with divergent spiritualities on an international scale, this book explores the recently emerging innovative spaces and integrative practices of queer spiritualities. Its breadth of coverage and keen critical engagement mean it will serve as a theoretically fertile, comprehensive entry point for any scholar wishing to explore the queer spiritual spaces of the twenty-first century.
Reclaiming the Spirit by
Shallenberger (School for New Learning, DePaul Univ.) interviewed 26 gay men and lesbians in Chicago, and this book comprises 12 of those interviews. The participants discuss their family background, their early religious and spiritual experiences, and how identifying themselves as gay or lesbian impacted their spiritual life. Dan explains how his HIV diagnosis increased his spirituality, and Anne recounts her struggles to find a place to serve in a Christian church after coming out during seminary. Taoism, Wicca, Judaism, and Christianity are among the spiritual traditions discussed. This work is similar to the essay collection Wrestling with the Angel (LJ 4/1/95), but these are not professional writers, and some accounts are rambling and repetitious. However, at a time when many religious leaders are questioning whether gays and lesbians have any legitimate place in the religious community, it is enlightening to hear the intimate spiritual struggles of this group of people.
Homosexuality and Religion by
Few issues today cause more public - and private - debate than the interaction of homosexuality and religion. From the question of gay marriage to the place of gays and lesbians within faith communities, religious leaders and lay members must deal with these issues for now and for years to come. What is the historical position of the major denominations? How are people of faith balancing their beliefs? This encyclopedia provides an overview of the various attitudes and responses that religions have had to the presence of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons within their communities. This is the most comprehensive volume to date on the intersections between religion and homosexuality.