Queer believers are people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, pansexual, asexual, polyamorous, kinky, or intersex. They may believe that God created them this way and loves them for it.
Many religious traditions teach that these behaviors are sinful, unnatural, or abnormal. Some Christians interpret divine wrath as God's displeasure with immoral behavior and punishment for it. In this view, queer believers must repent and change their lifestyle to be saved from eternal damnation. But if queer people are made in God's image and loved by Him, how can they reconcile divine wrath with their own identity?
One possible answer is to reinterpret divine wrath as breaking oppressive systems rather than punishing individuals. This involves understanding justice and mercy together. Justice means restoring what has been lost or stolen through wrongdoing. Mercy means forgiving the wrongdoers. When a system of oppression causes harm, both justice and mercy are needed to heal its victims.
Consider white supremacy and slavery. Slaves were taken from Africa and forced to work without pay under cruel conditions. Their families were torn apart and their culture erased. White slaveholders profited from their labor while exploiting them sexually. This was not just a personal problem between one individual and another; it was an entire society built on exploitation and violence.
To address this systemic evil, people worked together to abolish slavery. They fought against laws and institutions that perpetuated racism and inequality. They worked towards racial justice. And while this effort did not completely eliminate discrimination or prejudice, it did help many people escape bondage and gain freedom. Similarly, when we understand divine wrath as breaking systems of sin, we can see it as liberating oppressed groups instead of condemning individuals.
Imagine that a religious institution teaches that gay people will go to hell because they violate Biblical law. Queer believers might say: "Instead of blaming me for being queer, let's look at why churches have historically attacked and persecuted us. Let's examine how gender roles and sexual norms have been used to control women and nonbinary people. Let's question why heterosexuality is privileged over other expressions of desire. Let's work towards social change so everyone can live freely without fear." By reinterpreting divine wrath in this way, queer believers can find hope and healing rather than shame and guilt. They can use their faith to challenge unjust power structures and create a more inclusive world.
How can queer believers reinterpret divine wrath as the breaking of oppressive systems rather than punishment of individuals?
Queer believers can reinterpret divine wrath as the breaking down of oppressive systems rather than punishment of individuals by examining historical and cultural contexts of various interpretations of divine wrath, analyzing their own beliefs about divine wrath and its relation to systemic injustices, engaging in spiritual practices that challenge power structures, and seeking community with other queer believers who share similar views.