Queer theology is an approach that seeks to rethink Christian beliefs and practices from a perspective that prioritizes gender and sexual diversity. It challenges traditional understandings of God's relationship to humanity and emphasizes the importance of inclusion and affirmation for people who are marginalized within the church. One area where this approach could have significant impact is in the development of new liturgical language. Liturgy refers to the formal religious rituals and ceremonies that Christians engage in to worship and honor God. Traditionally, these have been dominated by heteronormative language that assumes a binary gender system and ignores the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Queer theologians suggest that there is potential for transforming this language into something more inclusive and reflective of the diverse realities of modern society. In order to do so, they argue, new vocabulary may need to be developed to better capture the nuances and complexities of gender identity and sexual orientation. This paper will explore some of the ways in which queer theology might reshape liturgical language, as well as suggest possible future vocabulary that could emerge to celebrate inclusivity.
Queering Language in Worship
Liturgical language has historically reinforced heteronormativity by using binary terms like "man" and "woman" to refer to all humans, excluding those who identify as non-binary or transgender. Moreover, it often frames relationships between men and women as the only valid form of intimacy, further marginalizing queer couples.
The Nicene Creed includes the phrase "begotten not made," which implies that Jesus was born from a male father and female mother, without acknowledging other reproductive possibilities such as surrogacy or same-sex parenthood. Similarly, wedding vows typically ask participants to promise to love their spouse "until death do us part," implying that marriage should be exclusively between a man and woman. These examples highlight how traditional liturgy can perpetuate harmful stereotypes about gender and sexuality.
Reshaping Liturgical Language
Queer theology suggests that it is possible to revise these traditions and create new liturgies that are more affirming for LGBTQ+ individuals. One way this can happen is through the use of more expansive language that recognizes different gender identities and expressions of sexuality. Instead of using "him" and "her," for example, worshipers could substitute terms like "them" or "they." This shift would signal that the church sees people beyond the gender binary, welcoming anyone who feels comfortable with such terminology. Another approach might involve creating entirely new vocabulary, such as words for queer relationships that go beyond the traditional heteronormative model.
Instead of saying "wife" and "husband," some churches have begun using "partner" or "spouse" to describe committed unions regardless of gender identity. Such changes in language could help foster a sense of inclusion within Christian communities by making everyone feel seen and valued.
Future Vocabulary for Inclusivity
As queer theology continues to evolve, it may give rise to additional forms of inclusive language. Some possibilities include:
1) Recognizing non-binary genders through terms like "ze/zir" (pronouns used by non-binary individuals), "agender" (a lack of gender identification), or "neutrois" (a blend of male and female characteristics).
2) Celebrating polyamory by referring to partnerships involving multiple individuals as "polyfidelity."
3) Incorporating fluid expressions of romantic and sexual attraction, such as "pansexual" (attracted to all genders) or "demisexual" (sexual desire without emotional connection).
4) Affirming diverse family structures, including those formed outside of marriage, by using phrases like "family of choice" or "chosen family."
5) Using more expansive pronouns for God, moving away from exclusively masculine terminology like "he" and "father" towards less gendered ones like "they" or "parent."
These are just a few examples of how new vocabulary might emerge in response to queer theological reflection on liturgy. By centering marginalized voices and experiences, churches can create worship services that better reflect the diversity of human identities and relationships.
What is the potential for queer theology to reshape liturgical language, and what future vocabulary might emerge to celebrate inclusivity?
Queer theology has the potential to reshape liturgical language by introducing new words that are more inclusive of marginalized identities, such as nonbinary gender identities and sexual orientations. The future vocabulary may include phrases like "blessed be" instead of "amen," "may God bless you and yours" rather than "and also with you," and "all persons" instead of "brothers and sisters.