Queer spiritualities are religious belief systems that emphasize gender nonconformity, social justice, and sexual diversity. Queer people often experience oppression due to their identities, leading to a focus on liberation through spiritual practice. Eschatology is the study of the end times, including death and judgment, while ecology is the study of how humans interact with the natural world. How do queer spiritual practices transform eschatological beliefs into an appreciation for all life? This paper examines several key themes and examples from queer literature, revealing new insights about harmony with the Earth and other beings.
Theme 1: Transformation through Death and Judgment
In traditional Christianity, death and judgement occur at the end of time. But some queer thinkers have argued that these events happen throughout human history, as individuals die and face their own personal judgments.
Philosopher David M. Halperin writes, "The moment of death is always also the moment of final judgment." In his view, every individual dies and faces their own private apocalypse. This suggests that the entire universe could undergo a collective apocalypse in which all life forms are transformed and reborn. This could include the planet itself, which has experienced many mass extinction events already. As Halperin argues, "Earth's future may depend upon its own rebirth as something utterly different from what it was before."
Theme 2: Redefining Salvation
Traditional Christianity defines salvation as saving one's soul after death and escaping eternal damnation.
Some queer theologians argue that true salvation involves living in harmony with the world around us. They point to biblical verses like Psalm 8:5-8, which praises God for the beauty of nature. These scholars suggest that we can experience redemption by creating ecological relationships rather than focusing on individual salvation.
Writer Tina Schermer Sellers writes, "Redemption lies not only in an otherworldly spiritual realm but also in our ability to live in right relationship with this world and each other." This means caring for the environment and working toward social justice, such as addressing climate change or fighting racism. Queer people have historically been leaders in these movements, so they provide valuable perspectives for transforming eschatology into ecology.
Theme 3: Intersectionality and Collectivism
Many queer thinkers emphasize intersectionality, or how identities intersect to form a unique experience of oppression. In terms of ecology, this means recognizing that humans are part of a larger web of life. We cannot separate ourselves from the Earth or imagine ourselves above it. Instead, we must see ourselves as equal participants in a shared community. Queer feminist theologian Mary Hunt argues, "We who were once deemed outsiders now find ourselves insiders in this new understanding of the universe." She points to indigenous cultures' beliefs about the sacredness of all life forms, suggesting that Western religions could learn from them. By valuing collective harmony over individual salvation, queer spiritualities create a more holistic view of reality.
Examples from Literature
Queer literature often explores these ideas through stories about individuals facing their own deaths or end times.
Novelist Alexis Pauline Gumbs writes, "Imagine if Black queer futurity meant living in a time where transgender existence is not seen as the ultimate threat to society." Their book "M Archive" imagines a world where trans people can live openly without fear of persecution, showing how liberation leads to an appreciation of all life. Similarly, poet Sappho describes a utopia where people live in harmony with nature: "If only the gods would grant me wings, I'd fly away from here to be with you always, my love.in the mountains and valleys and everywhere else green things grow." These examples show how queer spiritualities transform eschatology into ecology by focusing on collectivism and respect for the natural world.
Queer spiritualities provide unique perspectives on death, judgment, redemption, and collectivism that challenge traditional religious teachings. By emphasizing interconnectedness with other life forms, they suggest that true salvation involves caring for our planet and each other. Throughout history, queer people have led movements for social justice and environmental protection, making their voices essential in shaping new theologies. As these thinkers demonstrate, transformation begins with individual awareness and extends outward into the wider community, creating a harmonious relationship between humans and the Earth.
How do queer spiritualities transform eschatology into ecology—understanding salvation as harmony with all life?
Queer spiritualities have been challenging traditional understandings of heaven, hell, and afterlife in favor of more fluid conceptions of time and space that emphasize the interconnectedness between humans and nature. This new perspective has led to the development of ecological theologies that view the natural world as sacred and in need of protection from human exploitation.