Seventeenth International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities

Abstract

Abnormal, aberrant, deviant, abominable, unnatural, and ungodly. These adjectives are commonly associated with today’s American evangelical churches’ description of homosexuality, by society and Christians alike. According to national surveys with young non-Christians, the most common perception of present-day American Christianity is anti-homosexual, held by 91% of 16-29 year-olds. Yet, other statistics reveal that evangelicals, who tend toward conservative beliefs, are now more accepting toward gay and lesbian individuals. The rejection of same-sex romantic relationships with Christian lifestyles by evangelical theologians has led many church leaders to briefly mention in sermons the sinfulness of homosexuality, or avoid addressing sexuality altogether. Accordingly, laypeople are left knowing their church’s position but lacking insight into conservative evangelical churches’ historical, biblical, and theological reasoning. Due to American churches’ lack in discussion and often dismissal of homosexuality, individuals wrestling with same-sex attraction in churches may feel abandoned, oftentimes turning away from churches or coping through severe measures. To examine difficulties faced in today’s churches, this ethnographic study explores the following: how does a large, American Midwestern church holding a traditional view of sexuality address homosexuality with its congregation? What is the response of leaders and lesbian, gay, bisexual, or same-sex attracted (LGB/SSA) congregants? How can non-affirming churches better care for LGB/SSA congregants? Data suggest that the idolization of marriage plays a great role in how churches have caused pain to LGB/SSA congregants and consequently imply the necessity for family-like (familial) friendship to counteract this rhetoric and advance non-affirming churches’ compassion and care for all.