Can queer desire transcend the binary of purity and sin imposed by religion? Religion has often been a source of oppression for members of LGBTQ+ communities, and this is still true today.
Some people have argued that religious belief can coexist with queerness, especially if one reframes their understanding of sex, sexuality, and gender identity. This essay will explore these ideas through an examination of Christian teachings about lust, love, and marriage.
It's important to acknowledge that the Bible includes many verses condemning homosexual acts.
Romans 1:26-27 states, "For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error." Many other passages echo similar sentiments, and they have been used to justify persecution and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history.
It would be wrong to assume that all Christians interpret the Bible literally or agree on how it should be applied. Some believe that same-sex attraction is innate and not something that can be changed, while others argue that it is a choice. Still, others see no contradiction between being both queer and devout, pointing out that Jesus did not specifically address homosexuality. Moreover, there are numerous examples in the Bible of non-heteronormative relationships, including David and Jonathan (2 Samuel 1:26), Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1:14), and even Jesus himself (John 3:29).
Many Christians understand that desire itself is not sinful but rather the motivation behind it. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:12-13, "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food - yet God will destroy them both body and soul. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. Now God has not only raised up the Lord, but also will raise us up through His power." This suggests that sexual desires should be regulated, not eliminated entirely, and that they have a higher purpose than mere pleasure.
Some argue that queerness can coexist with Christianity because sex within marriage is seen as sacred and transcendent. In Ephesians 5:31-32, Paul writes, "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' So then, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." By understanding sex as a spiritual act between two souls united in love and commitment, LGBTQ+ individuals may find freedom from shame and guilt associated with their desires.
While there are still significant barriers facing queer people of faith, it's important to recognize that many Christians believe that desire itself does not have to be suppressed or condemned. Rather, it can be harnessed for good purposes and used to deepen our relationships with others and with God.
Can queer desire transcend the binary of purity and sin imposed by religion?
While many religions have historically viewed homosexuality as a taboo behavior that is contrary to their moral teachings, some LGBTQ+ people continue to practice it despite this stigma. This suggests that the binary between purity and sin may not be as rigid as once thought, as some individuals prioritize their sexual desires over external pressures from religious authorities.