Men, homosexuality, and the Gods : an exploration into the religious significance of male homosexuality in world perspective / Ronald E. Long.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Long, Ronald E. (Ronald Edwin), 1946-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Male homosexuality--Religious aspects.

Male homosexuality.

Masculinity--Religious aspects.

Masculinity.

Physical Description:

xi, 178 pages ; 22 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : Harrington Park Press, [2004]

Summary:

Here is an eye-opening look at the traditions of various religions and their edicts concerning gay sex. This book examines the origins of religious directives involving homosexuality--whether forbidden, tolerated, or mandatory--and establishes a link between theology, sex roles, and masculinity. Suggesting that gay rights can be understood as a freedom of religion issue, the book draws a parallel between homosexuality and religion.

Contents:

Chapter 1. Straight Thinking on Some Not-So-Straightforward Matters 1

Getting Our Bearings 1

How Shall We Think of Religion? 6

What of "Homosexuality"? 10

Chapter 2. Holy Homosexuality: Of Men and Semen 17

The Sambians of Papua New Guinea: It Will Make a Man of You 17

The Taoists of Ancient China and the Preservation of Life 22

Chapter 3. Holy Homoeroticism: Splendid Men and Splendor Divine 29

Plato and the World of Ancient Athens 29

The Platonism of Islamic Sufism 42

Chapter 4. Holy Effeminacy: The Native American Berdache As Living War Charm 49

Men and Manhood 49

Berdaches: Third-Gendered Persons or Unmanned Men? 51

Chapter 5. Holy Homophobia in the Hebrew Scriptures 59

Homophobia and the Fear of Exile 59

The Fear of Death: Anal Intercourse As "Unsafe Sex" 64

The Fear of Disorder: Homosexual Sex As Deformity 69

Alien Worship, Enemy Ways in War 73

Whose Body Is It Anyway? 78

Chapter 6. Early Christianity: A Revolution Aborted? 85

Paul: Food, Sex, Sin, and Taste 85

Augustine of Hippo: Sex, Homosexuality, Faith, and Death 95

Chapter 7. The Variegated Lotus: Homosexual Sex and Historical Buddhism 105

The Nirvanic Transcendence of Desire 105

Enlightenment and Homosexual Sex in Japan and Tibet 110

Chapter 8. Struggles on the American Front 117

A Gay Agenda? And the Social Good 117

Gay Rights As a Freedom of Religion Issue 126

The Spiritual Challenge of Contemporary Homophile Movements 132

Toward a New Poetic of Masculinity 141.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 163-172) and index.

ISBN:

1560231513

1560231521

OCLC:

53223522