To begin this discussion, it is important to define what we mean by "LGBTQ" and "belief." "Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning" refers to a broad spectrum of gender identities and sexual orientations that challenge traditional religious beliefs about sex and marriage. "Belief" generally means holding something to be true without proof or evidence; it can also refer to an object of faith or trust. In general, religion provides guidance for human behavior through sacred texts and traditions that have been passed down through generations. These texts often include teachings about sex, love, marriage, and family life.
For many LGBTQ people, these beliefs contradict their lived experiences of identity and desire. This creates a tension between internalized beliefs and external realities, which can lead to feelings of isolation, shame, confusion, and guilt. Cognitive strategies are mental processes that help individuals make sense of conflicting beliefs and experiences. Emotional strategies involve feeling and expressing emotions in order to cope with difficult situations. Together, cognitive and emotional strategies enable LGBTQ believers to navigate this tension and reconcile conflicting beliefs with lived experience.
One cognitive strategy for reconciling theological teachings with lived experience is rationalization. Rationalization involves creating justifications for one's actions or decisions based on reason rather than emotion.
A gay man who was raised Catholic may rationalize his sexual orientation as a natural expression of God's creativity rather than a sinful deviation from divine norms. This allows him to maintain his religious identity while accepting himself as he is. Another cognitive strategy is compartmentalization, which involves separating different aspects of one's life into separate boxes or categories. An openly queer woman might compartmentalize her religious beliefs from her sexual practices, seeing them as two separate spheres of existence.
Emotional strategies involve coping mechanisms such as distraction, denial, and acceptance. Distraction involves focusing attention away from painful emotions by engaging in other activities, such as work, hobbies, or socializing. Denial involves refusing to acknowledge unpleasant truths, like the reality of prejudice against LGBTQ people. Acceptance involves acknowledging and embracing one's sexuality and identity, even if it contradicts traditional beliefs.
Cognitive and emotional strategies help LGBTQ believers manage the conflict between their beliefs and experiences. These strategies can take many forms and are highly individualized; no one approach fits all cases.
They provide a means of navigating difficult circumstances and finding peace within oneself. By exploring these strategies, we can better understand how LGBTQ individuals negotiate faith and sexuality in contemporary society.
What cognitive and emotional strategies enable LGBTQ believers to reconcile conflicting theological teachings with lived experience?
LGBTQ+ believers often face conflicts between their religious beliefs and sexual orientation, which can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and self-doubt. To navigate this conflict, they may employ several cognitive and emotional strategies to create a sense of balance and acceptance. One approach is to focus on their faith and spirituality as a source of comfort and support, finding solace in the idea that God loves them unconditionally despite their identity.