Homosexual-Christian Identity: An Analysis Of Institutional Policies, Church Attitudes, Personal Narratives, with Emphasis On Key Influences That Shape a Reconciled Homosexual- Christian Identity Open Access

Abstract

Abstract
Homosexual-Christian Identity: An Analysis Of Institutional Policies, Church Attitudes,
Personal Narratives, with Emphasis On Key Influences That Shape a Reconciled Homosexual-
Christian Identity
By Charles Edward Barber II
In both our society and in the broader Christian Church there has historically been a great deal of
stigma that shrouds homosexuality, especially as an innate sexual orientation. This study
explores the history of the heterosexual/homosexual binary, particularly in an American context.
It seeks to provide insight into factors that can cause identity conflicts for gay and lesbian
Christians, be they familial, societal, or theological. Through the analysis of thirteen first hand
interviews, it provides a glimpse into the ways in which these gay and lesbian Christians have
dealt with conflicts regarding their sexuality and their faith, in order to create what this study
deems a reconciled homosexual-Christian identity. Overall, this study seeks to add to the
growing body of works that explore homosexual-religious identity.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
Page
Preface.............................................................................................................................................1

Chapter 1:
Introduction..............................................................................................................4

Goals, Methods, and Framing..................................................................................4


Position Statements of Denominations Included In This Study..............................8
Research Methodology............................................................................................9
Summary of Following Chapters..........................................................................12
Questions This Study Seeks To Answer...............................................................13
.
Chapter 2:
Review of Previous Research and Other Sources..................................................14
Sources Related To The Heterosexual/Homosexual Dichotomy...........................14
Sources About Identity..........................................................................................17
Other Influential Sources.......................................................................................20

Chapter 3:
Coming To Terms: A Brief History Of The Heterosexual/Homosexual Dichotomy
...............................................................................................................................21
Two Very Different Theologies.............................................................................32
Christian Denominations With Pro-Gay Theological Perspectives.......................33
Christian Denominations With Anti-Gay Theological Perspectives.....................36
Remarks On Anti-Gay Theologies…………………………………………….....40
Pro-Gay and Anti-Gay Biblical Perspectives........................................................41
Conclusion.............................................................................................................44

Chapter 4:

The Study: Interview Analysis...............................................................................45
Methodology..........................................................................................................47
Demographics of Interviewees..............................................................................48
The Congregations.................................................................................................51
Strategies of Identity Reconciliation as Noted by Rodriguez and Ouellette: A
Cross-Analysis With Interview Data From This Study.........................................55
Familial, Societal, and Christian Theological Impacts On Participant's Lives and


Journeys Towards Reconciliation..........................................................................60
Remarkes................................................................................................................70

Chapter 5: Concluding Statements...........................................................................................80
Limitations and Future Research...........................................................................83
References.....................................................................................................................................85

Appendix:
Table 1. Demographics of Interviewees................................................................89

About this Honors Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Emory College
Department	Anthropology
Degree	BA
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Education, Religious
Keyword	pro-gay anti-gay Christian identity gay or lesbian and Christian religious identity homosexual Christian heterosexual norm sexual identity Homosexuality gay and lesbian history
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Shore, Bradd, Emory University
Committee Members	Peletz, Michael, Emory University Patterson, Bobbi (Barbara), Emory University Singer, Valerie, Emory University

Last modified

Primary PDF

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions
	Homosexual-Christian Identity: An Analysis Of Institutional Policies, Church Attitudes, Personal Narratives, with Emphasis On Key Influences That Shape a Reconciled Homosexual- Christian Identity ()	2018-08-28 12:00:49 -0400	Press to Select an action Download

Supplemental Files

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions