Comments for Queering the Church

Comment on Lest We Forget: Remember the Ashes of Our Martyrs by Terence Weldon

Terence Weldon — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:03:00 +0000

Peter Damian is a fascinating character in his own right. He has a fearsome reputation for his “Liber Gomorrhianus “, but this was his one proposal for reform that was rejected by a reforming pope. There are also issues in his own life that I need more details on, before placing a full post: as I understand it though, he was in the habit of taking long cold baths in icy water to quell any hint of sexual excitement. Some commentators have observed that his words and practices suggest he may have suffered some kind of severe sexual trauma in childhood, which could have coloured his adult outlook.

Comment on Lest We Forget: Remember the Ashes of Our Martyrs by Jennifer Hynes

Jennifer Hynes — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:01:00 +0000

I tweeted, a few days ago on his feast day, about St. Peter Damian, and his Liber Gomorrhianus (c.1051). Apparently Leo IX was not impressed with it. One wonders whether it was for Peter’s attack on the hierarchy, or his obvious distaste for homosexuality.

Another good article Terence, thank you.

Comment on The Gay Closet as a Place of Sin by Kittredge Cherry

Kittredge Cherry — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:09:00 +0000

I’m glad that my piece on “Dark Knowledge” helped shake loose some fresh theological reflections in your mind.

I also had a strong first reaction against the idea that Jesus was a shame-based closet case. Like you, I do see the closet as primarily a place of sin, as in the commandment against “bearing false witness.”

While reading “Dark Knowledge,” I had time to wonder more about how the human side of Jesus dealt with his attractions to other men. In my “Jesus in Love” novels he has already largely come to terms with his bisexual feelings and accepted them as good. But it is likely that Jesus went through a process of self-knowledge and self-acceptance to reach that enlightened state. And he couldn’t have instantly come out as queer to everyone, so there may well have been some discretion that could be seen as “the closet.”

You might want to add my book “Hide and Speak: A Coming Out Guide” to the book list for this post. However, it takes a “spiritual but not religious” approach and is not overtly Christian like the Chris Glaser books.

Comment on “Blessed Are the Queer in Faith”: 60 Years Reassessing Scripture by The BIBLE in 90 Days « Kevin Nunez

The BIBLE in 90 Days « Kevin Nunez — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:44:52 +0000

[...] “Blessed Are the Queer in Faith”: 60 Years Reassessing Scripture (queeringthechurch.com) [...]

Comment on The Bible and Textual Abuse: The Case of “malakoi” and “arsenokoites”. by LoganBear

LoganBear — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:13:00 +0000

I remember my Catholic catechism about the Bible – The Bible was inspired by God but written by man. This helps me work through a lot of issues, including the idea of using translations, instead of original text.

Comment on “Freedom of Religion”: A Non- Christian Response by Advocatus Diaboli

Advocatus Diaboli — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:55:00 +0000

Hi Saira, I just responded to your reply to my comment on your blog. In it I apologized for coming across as condecending. It was not really a reaction to you so much as a build up of frustration over the topic from several weeks of arguing over it; and also, how I tried (not very successfully) to have a different tone between this original comment and the one that I posted on your blog.

Comment on “Freedom of Religion”: A Non- Christian Response by Saira1010

Saira1010 — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 23:18:00 +0000

As I responded on my personal blog, I appreciate that you read and spent 9 hours of your time to write out your thoughts. You even raise a number of interesting points. However, the condescension in your comment suggests that you are uninterested in discussing the issue like the educated adults we both clearly are. For example, opening your comment on my blog with the overly-familiar and diminutive “sweetie” has no place in a discussion of equals.
If I have misjudged, please feel free to revise and repost your comment appropriately. There is no need to include your educational history and credentials. A well-articulated argument should not need to be bolstered by a litany of degrees.

Comment on Remembering Marcella Althaus – Reid, “Indecent Theologian” by Terence Weldon

Terence Weldon — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:21:00 +0000

You’re right that while dense, her work is rewarding. I want to re-read it The Queer God myself, and expect to get rather more out of it the second time around. This is not a book though for those who expect theology to deliver clear – cut, absolute truth. What it does deliver in spades, is ideas and insights that will get you thinking for yourself (once you get used to the complexity of her writing).

Comment on Remembering Marcella Althaus – Reid, “Indecent Theologian” by Jennifer Hynes

Jennifer Hynes — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 09:23:00 +0000

Her work is dense, but satisfying. I have a copy of ‘The Queer God’, which took me several false starts to get into. Was shocked to hear of her death to, very unexpected.

Comment on “A Catholic Case for Same-sex Marriage”: Gramick, DeBernardo by Advocatus Diaboli

Advocatus Diaboli — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:44:00 +0000

Fair point, I disagree that the Sensus Fidelium ‘might’ be in favor of it but I have to admit that it is a ‘reasoned feeling’ and I cannot objectively argue with you. Yours is objectively the superior argument, so, I must concede and relent my position.

However, I feel that the argument that ‘they have no experience in the matter so their arguments have no validity’ is over leaned on because there is no other way to argue with the magisterium and 2,000 years of Church belief. However, again I cannot objectively argue with that point at this time so I must submit to your point for now.