God, Sex, and Politics: Homosexuality and Everyday Theologies

by Dawne Moon

• ISBN13: 9780226535128
• ISBN10: 0226535126
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-07-01
• Publisher: Univ of Chicago Pr

Summary

God, Sex, and Politicsexamines both sides of the church controversy over homosexuality to consider the ways in which people develop, in everyday thought and interaction, their beliefs about God and justice. Dawne Moon explores how members of Protestant congregations determine what is just and what is not, what is right and what is wrong, what is loving and what is sinful. Through this compelling work we learn that the considerable turmoil surrounding homosexuality in churches has less to do with homosexuality than with the fear of weakening the church's spiritual, communal solidarity. We learn too how the church mirrors the secular world--the fear of division and politics leads members to avoid conflict in the congregations Moon examines. And so, the Protestants who are the subject of her study avoid debating the key issue of whether homosexuality is sinful because of its potentially polarizing effects. The religious culture Moon uncovers is ultimately critical of politics and of the intense moral and social discord that members believe it entails. God, Sex, and Politicswill be of enormous value to sociologists of religion and anyone interested in religious controversies over sexuality.

Author Biography

Dawne Moon is an assistant professor of sociology at the University of California, Berkeley.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Doing unto Others ... (A Theoretical Introduction)

Debating Homosexuality

Feeling the Spirit in Two Congregations

Scripture and Everyday Theologies

Community and Dissent

The Problem of Politics in Church

Body, Spirit, and Sexuality

The Truth of Emotions in Everyday Theologies

Gay Pain and Politics

Conclusion: The Perils of Pain and Politics

Notes

References

Index

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