So while I was spending time doing nothing on the internet I decided to look up some videos about religion and sexual identity. As I watched this video that I found, it made me realize that what I have been finding about sexual identity and religion is that religious people do not necessarily dislike homosexual people, but rather the idea of them getting married. This video explains the different arguments for why gay people should not be getting married and he disputes all of the reasons. Because I grew up in a non religious household where we accept everyone, I strongly agreed with this man. All of these reasons he gives for religious people not liking gay marriage make no sense to me. And at the end of the day it almost seems anti-religious to not let people marry the ones they love. Everyone should have equal rights and to deny that seems sinful.
This video and reading about gay marriage brought me back to the phone conversation we had with Sister Zsa Zsa Glamour. It reminded me that she told us that some of the sisters are now becoming ordained ministers in order to marry people. This is an awesome thing they are doing especially for the gay community. I’m sure many gay people in the area would love to be married by a queer nun, how cool!
LGBT people and Religion in America
In America, religion is very important to a majority of the country. We are given time off work and school to celebrate religious holidays such as Christmas and Easter. Religion is such a big influence in American culture and a large conflict in the religious world is sexual identity. LGBT people who are religious are often quiet about one or the other. For example, gay people may be ashamed to admit their religious beliefs or religious individuals may be ashamed to admit their sexual identity. The reason for this is the view that homosexuality in the eyes of religion is seen as “deviant” and “sinful.” In more recent times, homosexuality is not seen as wrong by religion. Things have changed a lot with religion and sexuality. Where even 5 years ago, all that we ever heard is that religion condemns sexualities other than straight. Now its rare to hear about people who are very strongly against homosexuality. A lot of times you hear “I don’t care if you’re gay, I just don’t want to hear about it."
In a study I found, they interviewed male/female/transgendered folks asking them about their early religious beliefs and their current religious beliefs. This study founds that a majority of the participants grew up in religious households and now less than a quarter of them continue to engage in religious practices. They also defined religion differently than spirituality. Many said they remain spiritual but religious was more defined as taking part in organized worship.
Halkitis, Perry N., et al. "The Meanings And Manifestations Of Religion And Spirituality Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, And Transgender Adults." Journal Of Adult Development 16.4 (2009): 250-262. Academic Search Complete. Web. 17 October 2014.