Does the Bible prohibit homosexuality? No, says Bible scholar and activist Jay Michaelson. But not only that: Michaelson also shows that the vast majority of our shared religious traditions support the full equality and dignity of LGBT people. In this accessible, passionate, and provocative book, Michaelson argues for equality, not despite religion but because of it.
No discussions yet. Join BookLovers to start a discussion about this book!
Highly Recommended
Religion permeates our society. Religion informs much of the discussion in the political arena. As I am writing this, conservatives and liberals are arguing over whether health care plans should be obliged to offer contraceptive coverage; the argument arises because the Roman Catholic hierarchy believes that contraception is morally wrong. As gay people, we have a stake in religious arguments in which values around sex are emphasized, because they affect the political arguments. Jay Michaelson's useful book Gay vs. God can inform the understanding of queers and their allies about why religion should value sexual diversity. The book is divided into three parts. In the first Michaelson points out that the core message of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures are about love, integrity, dignity, justice, and partnership. In the second part Michaelson examines the scriptures used to condemn sexual minorities, and in the third part he argues that inclusion of sexual minorities is good, not bad, for religious values. Early on, Michaelson points out that "there are those who feel called to celibacy. . . . But to be compelled to such abstinence--or worse (and more likely) a life of furtive encounters, deceptions, tawdry alliances, lies, and endless self-recriminations--is fundamentally incompatible with the concept of a loving God" (p. 18). Further, "if God loves us, he would never want the closet. . . . There is no reconciling a loving God with the closet" (p. 17). For that reason alone, "coming out is the beginning of an authentic spiritual life, not the end of it" (p. 21-22). No verse exists in a vacuum. As Luther pointed out, we must examine a scripture in the context of The Scripture. Part I of Michaelson's book sets the context for studying the terror texts. In Genesis 2:18 God declares that it is not good to be alone. After creating animals, God creates Eve as a human companion for Adam. Nothing in Genesis points to Eve being created solely, or even primarily, as a m...
No quotes shared yet. Join BookLovers to share your favorite quotes!
Earn Points
Your voice matters. Every comment, review, and quote earns you reward points redeemable for Bitcoin.
