Coming out in Christianity : religion, identity, and community / Melissa M. Wilcox.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wilcox, Melissa M., 1972-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Homosexuality--Religious aspects--Christianity.

Homosexuality.

Gay people--Religious life.

Gay people.

Physical Description:

xii, 219 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Bloomington : Indiana University Press, [2003]

Summary:

For many Christians, "homosexuality" is an issue. It is often considered a matter of "us" versus "them," or worse, a question of "behavior," not something intrinsic to a person's identity. "Coming Out in Christianity examines this identity conflict from the point of view of some lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Christians. It focuses on current and former members of two Metropolitan Community Churches in California that serve predominantly LGBT Christians. Based on original research, including more than 70 in-depth interviews, the book explores life histories, current beliefs, cultural settings, and community influences in an attempt to understand the variety of factors that affect the construction of an integrated LGBT Christian identity. These powerful case studies will help to deepen our understanding of both religion and personal identity.

Contents:

Prologue: a tale of two communions

Identity. Converging and diverging roads

Christians coming out

Community. Creating a space

Creating new worlds

Re-creating the world

Identity in community. We took the one less traveled

Epilogue: roads less traveled.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [205]-213) and index.

ISBN:

0253342783

0253216192

OCLC:

51607235