Being Gay, Being Christian (ePub)

Is it possible to be both gay and Christian? This book explains, calmly and logically, that the two are not mutually exclusive. With the support of some of the finest scientific and theological minds, Dr Stuart Edser presents a compelling case for tolerance and acceptance, rejecting the traditional Christian view that gay people are either sick or sinful as a result of their sexual orientation. While shrill voices of prejudiced fundamentalism are raised from all sides of the Christian church, he invites the reader to a new experience of God. Dr Edser is uniquely qualified to explain the biology, psychology and sociology of being gay, as well as to examine the Bible, its interpretation, and traditional Christian teaching on sexual morality. Not only does he have a wealth of experience grounded in the Church (both Catholic and Protestant), but he is also a psychologist, author and researcher. Moreover, he threads his own extraordinary story through the text, using this and his experience as a clinician to guide his thinking. In particular, he offers a positive and rational voice so often glaringly absent from the Church's utterances on homosexuality. He argues passionately for church people everywhere to open their minds and show a willingness to discard older ways of thinking where more modern explanations reveal the truth more accurately. And he encourages gay Christians to integrate their sexuality and their faith so that both are valued equally. BEING GAY, BEING CHRISTIAN is a call for reformation within the Christian church, an appeal to modernity in our approach to knowledge and a practical self-help book for people who are struggling with their sexuality, so they can find both self-esteem and a connection with God. It will be of particular interest to: • People confused about their sexuality • Young gay people • Gay people who go to church • Christian families and friends of gay people • Clergy and church workers 'I hope that this book will gain a large readership among people of diverse sexualities: heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, transgender and intersexual. ... The subjects are timely, important and interesting. They represent nothing less than the story of the present struggle for the soul of Christianity. ... For his thoughtful and informed contributions to this process of change, I thank Stuart Edser.' — From the Foreword by Michael Kirby 'With extraordinary patience, care-filled intellectual integrity and exemplary grace, Dr Edser traverses the fraught terrain of sexual politics as it is played out ... across the ecclesial leadership frontiers of a number of mainstream Christian churches. This text ought to be required reading for any cleric engaged in any of the numerous official conversations being commissioned by the Church.' — Dr Jenny Plane Te Paa, St John's Theological College