#queer scriptures

[nerdygaymormon]

Alma 41:10 : Wickedness never was happiness

Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.

If wickedness never was happiness then what make you joyful is not wicked.

I know queer people who find peace and happiness in expressing their gender identity. I know queer people who find fulfillment and joy in a relationship with a partner. This verse testifies those things aren't wicked.

Others may declare we are temporarily happy but this will fade in the long term. Sometimes they'll say that we are not experiencing real joy, or that we aren't being honest. My experience is people who say those things usually don't have friendships with queer people. They don't know someone who was experiencing a great deal of anguish until they started transitioning, and how right it makes them feel. They think heteronormative relationships are fundamentally different from queer ones, but brain scans show people experience love the same way no matter the gender of who they love.

Would it be fair to say that the opposite is true? Those things which bring you despair, sadness, discouragement, misery, dissatisfaction, gloom, melancholoy, pain, and sorrow are wicked. I'm not talking about short-term pain to achieve longer-term goals, but things which genuinely have a negative impact on your health and mental wellness.

Loneliness is one such thing. Humans are social creatures and need connection, so to say a whole group of people are required to alone forever is a wicked thing to require of them.

This verse from the Book of Mormon is a guide to help us evaluate what is wicked and what is good.

#queer faith #queer scriptures

[shrubseph]

I found these verses while reading for Come Follow Me:

2 Nephi 26:24-28

24 He [God] doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.

25 Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price.

26 Behold, hath he commanded any that they should depart out of the synagogues, or out of the houses of worship? Behold, I say unto you, Nay.

27 Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance.

28 Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden.

Basically everyone is welcome and wanted, not just white CisHet members of the church with perfect families. God has never commanded anyone that they should 'depart out of the synagogues, or out of the houses of worship', or that they should 'not partake of his salvation' so if someone is making people feel unwelcome at church, or is denying deserving people access to the temple, then they definitely aren't doing God's work.

#none are forbidden #queer scriptures #queerstake #tumblrstake #this isn't to say that people shouldn't leave the church #but for those who wish to stay they are welcome and needed

[honeyshome]

actively following the homemaker tag just gives me an easy free block list apparently.

if you see this and are a lgbtqia friendly and non-christian homemaking or homesteading or cottagecore blog, please interact in some way. my dash is in desperate need of good content.

#the amount of gender/bio essentialism is so nasty. yall just post that??? publicly?? on purpose???? #yikes #all that trad shit is so unhealthy for you please get better soon #no xian blogs bc the gender essentialism is baked into it #and id rather not have scripture from a religion that hates/hurts me and my community on my dash. thanks. #need more queer cozy housespouses like me #cottagecore #cozycore #cozy #homemaker #homemaking #homesteading #familycore #gay #gay mlm

[blessedarethequeer]

I take great delight in knowing extremist Christians absolutely seethe at the idea that I am joyously and unapologetically trans and queer and that I see queerness in Scripture and the Divine endlessly and that my faith makes me love my transness and queerness more 🥰

#the protesters at Pride yesterday were so pathetic and half-hearted #prayin for y'all hope God sets ur heart right soon cause you seem pretty miserable rn #also take great delight in quoting scripture back at shitty Christians and watch them splutter ThAt'S nOt WhAt ThAt MeAnS!!1!! #queer christian #trans christian #queer catholic #trans catholic #zoe rambles

[thurifer-at-heart]

The Bible is resistance literature.

In the case of the mutant creatures of Daniel and Revelation, [biblical beasts] represent the evils of oppressive empires. It’s easy for modern-day readers to forget that the Bible was written by oppressed religious minorities living under the heels of powerful nation-states known for their extravagant wealth and violence. For the authors of the Old Testament, it was the Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Greek, and Persian Empires. For the authors of the New Testament, it was, of course, the massive Roman Empire. These various superpowers, which inflicted centuries of suffering upon the Jews and other conquered populations, became collectively known among the people of God as Babylon. One of the most important questions facing the people who gave us the Bible was: How do we resist Babylon, both as an exterior force that opposes the ways of God and an interior pull that tempts us with imitation and assimilation? They answered with volumes of stories, poems, prophecies, and admonitions grappling with their identity as an exiled people, their anger at the forces that scattered and oppressed them, God’s role in their exile and deliverance, and the ultimate hope that one day “Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the pride and glory of the Babylonians, will be overthrown by God” (Isaiah 13:19). It is in this sense that much of Scripture qualifies as resistance literature. It defies the empire by subverting the notion that history will be written by the wealthy, powerful, and cruel, insisting instead that the God of the oppressed will have the final word.

—Rachel Held Evans, Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again, p. 118

#rachel held evans #episcopalian #christianity #christian #progressive christianity #progressive christian #lgbtq christian #lgbt christian #queer christian #leftist #bible study #biblical interpretation #the bible #bible #scripture #god

[many-sparrows]

Blessed pride!!!!! To all of my queer Christians, especially the ones who are struggling, God really does love you just as you are. You are holy and cherished and there's nothing that can take that away. For me, pride is also about how no one can isolate me from Christ's love, no matter how hard they try. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside our Father's care! Don't be afraid!! You're worth more than many sparrows!!

#matthew 10:29-31 #matt 10 29 #matthew 10 #scripture #god is gay #gay scripture #queer christians #queer + religious #lgbt pride #pride #lgbt christian #theology #liberation theology #queer theology #autumn preaches

[twigsandhearts]

2024 PODCAST GOALS

(A LITTLE LATE) * RELEASE SEASON TWO * FINISH WRITING SEASON THREE * ATTEMPT AN AD SWAP WITH MORE HORROR PODCASTS * PROPERLY PROMOTE OUR PATREON * RAISE MONEY FOR SEASON TWO

#audio drama #podcast #goals #new year #new year goals #2024 goals #horror #lgbt fiction #indie podcast #queer horror #lgbtq #audio fiction #surreal horror #horror art #psychological horror #indie #script #scriptwriting #scripture #screenwriting #creativewriting #screenplay #queer writers #writers on tumblr #writerscommunity

[alatabouleau]

Für alle deutschsprachigen queer(freundlich)en Christ*innen würde ich unbedingt dieses Video von Rezo empfehlen. Er bringt das echt gut auf den Punkt, was mich an dieser Seite vom Christentum so aufregt. Den Schluss fand ich auch echt schön.🥰

For all Non-Germans, it's a video where a famous German youtuber, Rezo, reacts to radical christians on tiktok who tell you that you go to hell or whatever for being gay, who claim that real men go to war and modern music is demonic and all that jazz. He transfers a lot of good points about why this is bullcrap. ;)

#queer christian #christentum #german stuff #christianity today #bible scripture #I felt very seen by this video #There are too many Christians who judge unprovokedly #Progressive Christians unite! #for the heavenly kingdom #Youtube

[dr-lizortecho]

Queerness and the Bible

Okay, before we can dig into the meat of this we have to address what the Bible/Scripture is and is not. Since it is the only source that we will be using during this discussion. These passages aren’t going to be dug into as deeply as the rest, because it’s not what we are here to talk about, but rather the setup to understanding what the Bible says about queerness and queer relationships.

That being said this discussion will keep two main ideas in mind; that Scripture (the Bible) is sanctified and set apart by God, that being his word given to the Christian community, and that it is not to be read or interpreted through the men who penned it and translated it but through the Holy Spirit.

This is something based in Scripture itself, as Paul says in II Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Which isn’t the only claim to Scripture being directly from God, as John claims (John 1:1) that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This concept of the Scriptures being inseparable from God and being a tool of God follows in many letters and books of the Bible. Isaiah records that not only is the scripture from God (and his word directly to his people) but that the Spirit would gather the Scriptures together and keep them for all future generations (Isaiah 34:16-17). Furthermore, the New Testament puts a heavy emphasis on the Scriptures being read and understood “only” through the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:10-12 saying that “but God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.” Meaning that only the Holy Spirit can know the meaning of the Scriptures. So only a Christian who is using the Spirit to interpret these verses can know God’s intentions and meaning behind them. (Further verses that discuss the Spirit as the means of understanding Scripture; Luke 24:45 and Ephesians 3:16-19)

So in short, Scripture is given by God and set apart for instruction. However, it is not untouched by man’s failings and biases. As Paul says in Romans 3:23 “-all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. Meaning all those who transcribed, instructed or translated the Bible are as susceptible to biases and sin as anyone interpreting the scriptures today.

Now to address the Scriptures that reference homosexuality or supposedly reference homosexuality (as there are both). To approach these verses one has to take a look at the larger picture of what is being said. By asking a few simple questions about the author of the verses and the time and settings in which they were written.

One of the most often cited scriptures and biblical stories used to condemn homosexuality is that of Sodom and Gomorrah. Which is at its core a story of a group of people who committed many sins, brazenly and unrepentant. It chronicles two angels who visit Sodom to test the inhabitants, for if they find even ten righteous people it will be spared God’s wrath. Upon entering Sodom the angels are only met with the hospitality of one man, Lot, who welcomes them into his home so they don’t sleep on the streets. Then the rest of the town shows outside his door to demand he hand them over so they can rape them. Which in itself is a sin, fornication. This story incorrectly claims the city’s sin as homosexuality, because Lot is seen as “righteous” and spared from the destruction of Sodom, because he offered his daughters to be raped instead of the masculine presenting angels. But this is challenged by Ezekiel 16:49-50 which says “-this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit.” Which lays the claim of inhospitality being Sodom’s major sin, not actually the fact they would prefer to commit violence against strange men than Lot’s daughters. While Jude 1:7 is also cited as anti-homosexual it says “Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire”. Sexual immorality includes all the sexual sins, that being any sexual relations that defy the laws of God. Since Sodom attempted to gang rape strangers they were not married to they were meeting a lot of biblical requirements for sexual immorality. As for “strange flesh” it is discussing the lust they felt for angels, which is warned against in Genesis 6:1-4, human and Angel relations remove man from God’s favor and it is considered evil in his eyes. Meaning that there is no direct claim to homosexuality being a sin in these verses, only an interpretation taken by readers and then passed down and taught throughout the years. Which of course impacted a lot of the writings of later prophets and disciples.

The next passage that shows up in the Old Testament is Leviticus 18:22 “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination”. Now at first glance this is very straightforward, it is a direct statement that paints a clear picture of homosexuality and marks it as a sin. But this can quickly change with a look at the entire book of Leviticus, its intended purpose and an understanding of the culture and historical setting in which this particular book of laws was written down. Now to understand Leviticus, as with a lot of the Old Testament scriptures, it has to be acknowledged that they were in part passed down orally for generations. Though Leviticus was written down in part, most of it spent hundreds of years being passed down orally, and undoubtedly shifting with the culture and time. The laws in Leviticus are the old covenant that the coming of the Messiah dissolved in place of the new covenant, now this doesn’t necessarily wipe away all the importance of the old covenant or make it insubstantial. What it does say though is that the old covenant was designed specifically for a separate people group with different stumbling blocks laid at their feet as a lot of these laws can be traced back to being protections for the Israelites.

Leviticus 18:22 specifically addresses pagan practices or religious practices of non-Jewish people groups in the surrounding area. This is in part because Leviticus is written for the tribe of Levi, the priestly tribe. This passage is specifically designed to set God’s priests apart from priests of different religions, which is something the scriptures take very seriously. Furthermore, this rule book lays out many laws that are not upheld today, or even truly held as sins. Amongst them wearing fabrics with multiple fibers, having sex while menstruating or with a menstruating person, cross breeding livestock, sowing fields with multiple seeds, or cutting the hair off the sides of the head. These are all held as being part of the old covenant, meaning that any laws in this book not repeated in the new covenant should be held to the same standard. Leviticus also brings up same sex relations in 20:13 “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.” This verse isn’t specifically addressed to the priesthood, however it is a part of the covenant made for the Israelites who were fleeing persecution on their way to a new land. These laws were devised to create their best survival and strength, which in part relied on procreation. Which could attribute to all the discussions in this passage about incest and not sleeping with a menstrating woman (as that is when a woman is usually least fertile). Also, it’s worth a note that this passage reflects and is in almost the exact order of Leviticus 18:22, which could be a sign of oral repetition as well as the cultural impact of the views of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Which leads us into the New Testament and the new covenant with God. Now some verses from the gospels are used in arguments to claim homosexuality is unnatural, but these verses are specifically addressing marriage and more importantly are discussing the first marriage. That being Adam and Eve, who were created male and female for procreation purposes. These scriptures can be found in Matthew 19:4-6 and Mark 10:6-9. These are less consequential in the discussion of homosexuality being a sin as they are verbal quotations of Genesis in the discussion of biblical marriage. It’s worth noting that Genesis 1:27 says that “-God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Meaning that both man and woman are in his image, therefore He has neither sex and His image is less about physical form then spirit. Furthermore, Adam and Eve were created with procreation in mind, Genesis 1:28a “then God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it.” Leaving the first marriage as a means of procreation rather than a specific role model of all future marriages. Neither is Jesus referencing the Torah in a conversation about divorce him condemning homosexuality.

Every reference to homosexuality in the New Testament was penned by Paul and (possibly) his followers. Which in respect to him and his apprentices having assumed authorship of nearly half of the New Testament isn’t too much of a shock. Though it brings into question who Paul was and his personal biases and contradictions throughout his works, as well as his intended meaning behind these verses. Paul the apostle originally studied as a Pharisee and was one of the most active against the early Christian church, persecuting followers of Jesus. Acts 22:3-4 Paul says that “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.” This reflects both his early strong convictions to the Torah and oral Jewish teachings, as well as his strong convictions in what he believes. These qualities aren’t depicted as having shifted with his conversion to Christianity outside of his view of outsiders softening (which can be seen through his work to carve space for the gentile Christian in the church). Which left Paul as not only well educated on the Jewish teachings of the time but very familiar with the pentateuch and the oral teachings that surrounded it.

Now, a quick look at Paul’s contemporary Jewish philosopher's teachings and translations of the Torah can help inform how Paul’s steadfastness could have viewed homosexual relations. The teachings of Philo, that echoes the passages in Leviticus on homosexuality being an abomination, and asserting that the death penalty should be enforced. This reflects the understanding of the Torah at this time, something Paul would have been familiar with as he studied the Torah and other Jewish teachings. Which leaves the conversation of what Paul’s stance would have been on homosexuality based on the culture of the time, since his peers all viewed homosexuality as sin deserving of death. Which arguably Paul agrees with in Romans 1:26-28 “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting”. At first glance this passage condemns homosexuality in clear and certain terms. However, Paul’s letter continues to the Romans and explains that these sins and judgements are from man. He further asserts that “-you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things” (Romans 2:1). He informs the church at Rome, and specifically the Jewish Christian’s, that they are in fact as accountable for their sin as the gentiles. Then he informs them God is the one who decides final judgment and not them. Which leaves a few separate ideas to be examined, the first being that Paul references a sin that the Jewish community holds as particularly detestable and the second being his references to pagan worship and practices.

Paul uses the interpretation of the Torah on homosexuality to paint a picture of sin that is deserving of death to then claim that the church itself has committed the same crimes. Leaving Paul with the claim that all sin is the same in God’s eyes and that even something they the community held as so detestable is capable of forgiveness. In this he repeats that there is none righteous among mankind, which echoes the story of Sodom itself in the infliction of God’s wrath, while preaching hope through the new covenant made through Jesus’s death and resurrection. Now, this can be viewed as the claim that homosexuality is a sin that is forgivable (as with all sin) or rather the current views on homosexuality being used to make a stark contrast to drive home his point. In addition, there is reason to believe this reference to perceived homosexuality was in fact discussing pagan rituals. These rituals were common in Corinth (the city in which Paul wrote the letter to Rome from) as well as throughout the Greek world. The verses before the “condemnation” of homosexuality paint the picture of what specifically Paul is addressing, Romans 1:23-25 “{they} changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” These pagan rituals would have included temple prostitution as well as pederasty (sexual relationship between an adult man and a young boy). So instead of Paul asserting that homosexuality is a sin, he is addressing the idolatry that surrounded him and the church. A warning that reappears throughout the New Testament. So if his words here are to be taken as any sort of moral judgment (which he himself warns against in the passage) it is against pagan practices and not homosexual orientation.

Paul writes to the church in Corinth that “do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)”. Which has sparked many debates about translations and intended meanings. It’s argued the best translation reflects the above mentioned temple prostitution and pederasty. However, even if this is not the case any list of sins being compiled by a man will hold biases from their lived experiences and fears. And what we know about Paul suggests he would hold homophobic views, that would include the idea of being on the receiving end of homosexual sex as demasculinizing. From all his writings it’s easy to see that he viewed women as lesser (possibly why some translations translate effeminate in place of homosexual/sodomite) so anything that compromised his ideas of masculinity would make those men fall into a lesser social class. This is something that would compromise his ability to make a truly detached analysis of homosexuality. This same translation discussion applies to the use of the same words in 1 Timothy 1:8-11 “but we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine”. In addition, these translations are based on a word that Paul seemingly created, that being arsenokoitai. Which translates most accurately as pertaining to the previously discussed pederasty. Also, of note, 1 Timothy is considered to be possibly written by followers of Paul after his death. Which would explain the word being used out of the same context found in Romans and Corinthians, as it relies on not only Paul’s interpretations of the Torah but on his followers interpretations of his letters.

This leaves to question whether this analysis falls under the concept of the Spirit revealing God’s intent or the bending of scriptures to follow sinful desires. Which leaves another concept to be explored, that being scripture that shows support of homosexuality and queerness. This won’t be any verse that specifies homosexuality since the concept of sexual orientation wasn’t something that would have been mainstream during the periods in which these letters and accounts were written. Instead they will be verses that discuss sexual otherness and love.

The Bible puts a heavy emphasis on love and its importance to Christianity. 1 John 4:7 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God”. Meaning that all love is from God and a mirror of his image. Some people will falsely claim that queer love would not be real love, that it is lustful and sinful desire instead. However, the scriptures defines love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things”. This definition supports homosexual and heterosexual relationships, because it gives criteria that are met in a lot of long lasting and forgiving relationships. Furthermore, the couples who had to stick out for so long in a world where their relationships would never be acknowledged or the marriages legally allowed have shown more long suffering than most.

In addition to homosexual love being from God there has always been a place for the sexually other inside of the church. During the times in which the church was first being founded one of the most prominent sexually othered members of society were eunuchs (men who have been castrated) as they were viewed as having a lesser social status. This being in part because of their removal of their sexual organs and in part the absence of sexual desire. Not all of these men became eunuchs willingly or for religious reasons. As Jesus says in Matthew 19:11-12 (in response to the disciples saying celibacy was better than marriage) “All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it”. Reflecting the differences between eunuchs who did not (or did not want) sexuality or desire, court eunuchs and intersex individuals. These people were decidedly queer in their day and age, from reception socially to their experiences of sexuality and sexual desire. Furthermore, the scriptures take similar contradictions on their existence. Deuteronomy 23:1 says that “he who is emasculated by crushing or mutilation shall not enter the assembly of the Lord”, meaning that eunuchs weren’t allowed near the presence of God (or the physically deformed, see Leviticus 21:20). While other scriptures say the opposite, Isaiah 56:4-5 “for thus says the Lord: ‘to the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, and choose what pleases Me, and hold fast My covenant, even to them I will give in My house and within My walls a place and a name better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off”. Which not only offers them a place in heaven but a highly revered place. This is the sentiment that is continued by Jesus and his disciples, and part of the foundations of the Christian church. This can be seen in Acts 8 when Philip preaches the gospel to an Ethiopian eunuch who converts to Christianity, professing Jesus as his savior. The eunuch is then baptized in Acts 8:38 “so he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him”. This baptism officially making the eunuch part of the Christian church as it symbolized the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Furthermore, the old covenant has gone away as depicted in Acts 10:15 “then he said to them, You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean”. This is the final conclusion that Peter has about his vision of God telling him to break the old covenant by eating meat that was considered unclean by the Torah. He asserts that there is no man inherently unclean by the nature of creation, that the old laws built to protect the Israelites do not apply the same way to the Christian church or the world they live in after Christ. In addition, Paul says in Galatians 3:26-29 “for you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Meaning that in God’s eyes there is no distinction between mankind, because we are all made in his image (Genesis 1:27) and further made whole through our unity in Christ. Therefore sexual orientation isn’t something that God would use against his children, since he doesn’t perceive human gender or distinction, only his spirit in them.

#christianity #lgbtqia #queer #idk guys- I’m in no way a theologian just someone with acces to scriptures and the internet #who had a personal crisis that led to almost two years of depression and nearly a decade of self hate #and then a spiritual revival that saw me getting closer to God #because I felt I was ‘allowed’ to

[junebugwriter]

The Cult of Normalcy

I'm going to talk a bit about my research and something that's really been stuck in my brain, and one of the biggest issues I've found in my work in theology and how the church in the US operates.

In the book Vulnerable Communion by Thomas Reynolds, the author talks about something he calls "the cult of normalcy."

(Thomas Reynolds, "Vulnerable Communion," pg 62.)

I've highlighted the relevant bits, but in essence, the cult of normalcy is our veneration for a baseline standard "normal" body. Any deviation from this is pathologized as not only abnormal, but deficient, and in need of correction, aka punishment through stigma. Mass media and community standards enforce normativity and conformity to extreme degrees, an impossible standard that arguably nobody can actually either attain or maintain. In the long term, nobody stays "normal" all their lives. Bodies change as the world changes them. We age. We grow. We decay. Such is the natural way of human life, but we have as a society decided that such "natural" change is in fact undesirable, and deviation from the norm will be punished.

Churches, I have found, are most susceptible to this. Whereas we ought to embrace the diversity of our communities, the variation each person can embody and celebrate, the cult of normalcy instead polices us into conformity. I have in many ways seen this done through misapplication of scripture, too, specifically Paul's letter to the Romans. Perhaps you've heard these verses tossed out by pastors seeking to tell you exactly how you ought to live your life:

"We know this because God knew them in advance, and he decided in advance that they would be conformed to the image of his Son. That way his Son would be the first of many brothers and sisters. Those who God decided in advance would be conformed to his Son, he also called. Those whom he called, he also made righteous. Those whom he made righteous, he also glorified." --Romans 8: 29-30 (CEB)

Or most ironically, this one:

"Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature." --Romans 12:2 (CEB)

The first actively calls us to conformity, and pastors will often use this as a cudgel, completely ignoring the context of the passage. The second is the most ironic, because I've seen it paired with the message of "Don't succumb to THEIR peer pressure, succumb to OUR peer pressure, OUR definition of what being transformed looks/acts like! :) "

Christians love their conformity. They love their communities to look/exist a certain way, and when that preexisting image is countered by the real, lived experience of a community in real life, the reaction is most often to double down on rigid conformity.

I saw this a lot as I was going into ministry. I heard a lot of talk from the people in charge, excited to have such a RICHLY DIVERSE incoming class of pastors coming into ministry, and positively beaming with expectation for our ability to fill the pews with their most desired demographic: young white adults ages 18-35, ideally from middle to upper-class backgrounds! Of course, when that failed to happen, because that demographic is largely LEAVING churches, the punishment came. Out of all the people that remained in ministry in the church largely looked and lived like one specific kind of person, and wouldn't you know it, that person was a white young adult, usually male.

The cult of normalcy is insidious, and the church loves to adhere to it, especially when it doesn't know it is doing it. It makes us think "surely, this is what God wants" when that is not at all what God is doing. There is a serious disconnect between expectation and reality, and once we see that it is in place, we have to insist that no, there is no such thing as "normal."

Normal is a lie. Normal is a tidy little box that fits nothing, and God hates being in a box. We ought to resist normal with every fiber of our beings. Normalcy is a prison. Normalcy corrodes and sands down everything wild and wonderful about creation.

Reject normalcy. Embrace your weird self. It's what God made you to be. Anything less would be to deny the image of God within you.

#theology #disability #queer theology #queer #religion #christianity #bible #bible quote #scripture #i guess this turned into a sermon

[nerdygaymormon]

1 Nephi 16:10, 26-29 - Liahona : They had the Brass Plates, but that wasn’t enough

Lehi & Sariah's family were soon to go to a new land. They didn't want to embark on this journey without the scriptures, so their sons were sent back to Jerusalem to obtain the Brass Plates which had the scriptures.

But it turns out that the scriptures were insufficient. God sent them the Liahona to point the way and send them "new writings." as needed.

Scriptures are a record of what previous generations wrote about their seeking the Divine. Scriptures are sacred and beautiful for allowing us to see how others, in all their humanity and imperfections, tried to walk with God. The Liahona is confirmation that the scriptures aren't sufficient and don't define what our walk with God must look like.

The scriptures involve humans and their understandings and biases. Since the scriptures were written, humanity has gained new knowledge and our understanding of God evolves. To refuse to grow past what the scriptures say is to be like those who refused to believe God could give new revelation and told Sariah and Lehi they must return to Jerusalem because there's no way God could say to leave Israel. Time and again, God proves to be larger than any box humans put Him in.

By having both the Brass Plates and the Liahona, it's an example that we honor the journeys of others and their struggles to figure out God's will and the principles they learned while simultaneously being willing to follow the "new writing" that God gives to us for our own journey. Hold onto the Brass Plates, but follow the Liahona when it differs.

Don’t let others tell you what new writings God can or cannot give to you. I think this is a great lesson for queer people when we get messages for ourselves and our lives which are contrary to what is taught at church. If the "new writing" is centered on love for others, love for yourself, and love for God, never be afraid to follow where that takes you for those are the greatest commandments, everything is subservient to those principles.

————————————————————

10 And it came to pass that as my father arose in the morning, and went forth to the tent door, to his great astonishment he beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship; and it was of fine brass. And within the ball were two spindles; and the one pointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness.

26 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord said unto him: Look upon the ball, and behold the things which are written.

27 And it came to pass that when my father beheld the things which were written upon the ball, he did fear and tremble exceedingly, and also my brethren and the sons of Ishmael and our wives.

28 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them.

29 And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.

#queer scriptures #queer faith

[beloved-of-john]

Actually unironically dreaming of the day when I'll have enough room in my bag to carry my bible with me. Sometimes I just need it you know? And it's not there :(

(I have to travel between two houses with a bag full to the brim with college stuff)

(no it's not the same using Bible Gateway because my bible is MY bible and it has all my notes and stuff in, you know?)

#rant #christianity #queer christian #bible #scripture

[jejushipbracket]

hello op! i know m/f ships are banned here, but i would like to plead the case for harry du bois and dora ingerlund from disco elysium. yes harry is horribly misogynistic to dora in how he describes her. yes harry idolises her to the point of comparing her to the in-world jesus named dolores dei. yes the whole schtick of the ship is in the class differences between harry and dora becos harry is working class and dora is middle class (spawning the eternal question: are women bourgeois?) and dora got to up and leave their hellhole (loving) of a homeland when he couldn't!! yes class warfare is a major theme of discoE. yes /end propaganda. no worries if u do not wish to add them but in my heart they are a jeju.

I appreciate your enthusiasm, anon! Not being in the jeju poll doesn't mean your ship can't be jeju. And there can be straight jeju (to my friend Lilly who said Makoto Yuki/Aigis are jeju... your brain...), but the point of the poll is to point out toxicity between queer pairings as a parallel to JeJu, which is notoriously Yaoi. (I can't quite formulate a more serious sentence that says the same with better words.)

If you'd really like to be reductionist about it, the bracket in of itself could just be reduced to 'toxic yaoi/yuri, but also doomed and also betrayal'.

If there is enough calls for it however, I wouldn't mind running a post-bracket extra round with Straight JeJu, but keep in mind due to the general [waves hands ominously] Thing About Heteronormativity they may be held to a little more scrutiny. The blurb on the poll post isn't only silly but it does quite hold a little more truth to it.

Sorry! But I DO think more people should play Disco Elysium. And also kiss Kim Kitsuragi on the mouth.

#mod tox #not a poll #ask #jeju #the thing about settling down rules is that usually you can't cover every edge case #or some rules may seem obnoxiously restrictive #but i promise that this poll is for everyone to have fun and also enjoy more media and shipping to interact with #and also i personally see the general yaoifulness of jeju not only as a small part of a men-loving-ppl history/awakening/scripture/etc #as a whole queer thing and usually it doesn't mesh well when applied to M/f ships #i don't know if i'm being clear about this....

[insteading]

It's that time in the liturgical calendar where Thomas the Apostle is away when his friends are visited by the risen Christ, and says "I won't believe it's him unless I put my hand in the wound in his side."

And the risen Christ shows up again and disrobes and, gesturing to his side, asks Thomas, You wanted to feel this? Go ahead.

There are a lot of queer things that happen in the scriptures, and in my opinion this is one of them. It's important to Thomas that the risen Christ has a body, and that this body bears the marks of his suffering and transformation, and that someone can reach in and feel what this part of his experience has been.

Christianity has a strong strand of body hatred in it (thanks Paul!). And as much smack as the sermons of my childhood talked about Thomas needing to see and feel in order to believe, I'm grateful to Thomas for just putting his wild yearning to finger Christ out there. He would have done numbers on here.

#thanks to the choreographer friend whose modern dance piece jarred these thoughts loose so long ago #and thanks to the visual artist whose thomas is touching trans jesus in his top surgery scars #one needn't be christian in order to look at christianity's scriptures and say 'something queer is going on here' #and in fact it's maybe easier to make that observation if one isn't #liturgical year #the apostle thomas #original poem

[thurifer-at-heart]

Perhaps the most significant character in any story of resistance is the prophet.

Biblically speaking, a prophet isn’t a fortune-teller or soothsayer who predicts the future, but rather a truth-teller who sees things as they really are—past, present, and future—and who challenges their community to both accept that reality and imagine a better one. "It is the vocation of the prophet to keep alive the ministry of imagination," wrote [Walter] Brueggemann in his landmark book, The Prophetic Imagination, “to keep on conjuring and proposing futures alternative to the single one the king wants to urge as the only thinkable one.” The prophets directed their most stinging critiques at the leaders of their own community (see Ezekiel 16:49). … Even the religious elites were not exempt from prophetic critique (see Amos 5:21-24). Alongside ... cries of anguish and anger, condemnation and critique, the prophets deliver what is perhaps the most subversive element of any resistance movement: hope. Employing language and imagery charged with theological meaning, the prophet asserted, despite all evidence to the contrary, that the God of Israel—the God of slaves and exiles and despised religious minorities—remains present and powerful, enthroned over all creation and above every empire.

—Rachel Held Evans, Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again, p. 119-122

#rachel held evans #walter brueggemann #episcopalian #biblical prophecy #biblical prophets #prophets #the bible #bible #biblical interpretation #bible study #christian #christianity #progressive christianity #progressive christian #lgbtq christian #lgbt christian #queer christian #god #scripture

[theflybitteneye]

I should have known a shitpost I smashed together haphazardly would be the thing that gets attention.

I'm including a link to my shop and patreon in this one in case lightening strikes twice and calling it reparations from dear Benjamine for making his grift off my suffering as a trans person.

Biblically Accurate Ben Shapiro 2, Electric Boogaloo

#artists on tumblr #queer artist #transmasc #transgender #trans memes #trans guy #transisbeautiful #lgbt #lgbtq community #lgbtqi community #lgbt pride #lgbtq #lgbtqia #gay memes #meme #bible verse #biblical scripture #biblically accurate angel #queer owned business #queer #small artist #small business #my art #digital art #artwork #art #bible #angel #angelcore #funny memes