Can queer epistemology dismantle the illusion of theological neutrality? This question is an important one for anyone who has ever studied religion or philosophy, especially those who are interested in the intersection between these disciplines. But what does it mean to say that "theological neutrality" is an illusion? And how can queer epistemology help us understand this concept? In this essay, I will explore these ideas further, starting with some background information on queer theory and theology before delving into the specific ways that queer epistemology might challenge traditional conceptions of religious belief.
The term "queer epistemology" refers to the idea that there is no such thing as objective truth when it comes to knowledge about gender and sexuality. Instead, all knowledge about these topics is inherently shaped by cultural context and personal experience. This perspective challenges the notion that there is a single, universal way of knowing that can be applied equally well across different cultures and times. As feminist theologian Carter Heyward writes, "We need new epistemologies to open up new possibilities for understanding God, human history, and ourselves."1
Queer epistemology also calls attention to the ways in which religious dogma often reinforces heteronormativity - i.e., the assumption that everyone should be cisgendered and heterosexual - and thus perpetuates oppression against LGBTQ+ people.
Many religions teach that homosexuality is sinful or unnatural, and this message can have devastating consequences for members of marginalized communities. According to queer theorists like Sara Ahmed, "The refusal to think about sex becomes the pretext for thinking about race; the denial of desire becomes the pretext for thinking about religion."2 By rejecting binary notions of gender and sexuality, queer epistemology offers an alternative framework for understanding both our own identities and the wider world around us.
So how does queer epistemology relate to theological neutrality? One way to understand this concept is through the work of philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, who argued that language games - i.e., sets of rules governing how we use words - are what give meaning to our experiences. In other words, there is no objective reality outside of language itself. This perspective echoes much of queer theory's rejection of universal truth claims, since it suggests that all knowledge is relative to cultural context and personal experience.
Wittgenstein's idea of language games helps us see how different belief systems can coexist peacefully without necessarily being true or false. As he writes, "If a lion could speak, we could not understand him."3
Wittgenstein also acknowledged that certain concepts (such as mathematics) may be more useful than others when applied in particular situations. Similarly, queer theologian Elizabeth Stuart argues that while religious belief may seem to provide an absolute truth claim, it ultimately exists within its own cultural context: "There is no such thing as 'neutral theology' because every theological claim is situated in a specific time and place."4 In this sense, even if theological neutrality were possible, it would still be limited by the historical circumstances under which it was created.
So where does this leave us? Is it possible to dismantle the illusion of theological neutrality entirely? Or should we simply accept that some forms of theology will always be privileged over others? The answer, perhaps, lies in recognizing that knowledge about gender and sexuality is never truly neutral but always shaped by power dynamics. By rejecting binary thinking and embracing diverse perspectives, queer epistemology offers new possibilities for understanding ourselves and our relationships with each other.
1 Carter Heyward, "The Beloved Community," in Feminism and Religion: The Moral Discourse of Sexual Equality (New Haven: Yale University Press, 20015), p. 29.
2 Sara Ahmed, On Being Included: Racism and Diversity in Institutional Life (Durham: Duke University Press, 2012), p. xv.
3 Ludwig Wittgenstein, Philosophical Investigations (Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 1953), p. 26.
4 Elizabeth Stuart, Queering Christianity: Finding a Place at the Table for LGBTQ+ People of Faith (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2016), p. 137.
Can queer epistemology dismantle the illusion of theological neutrality?
Queer epistemology is an emerging field that challenges the dominant paradigm of western thought, which has traditionally privileged cisgendered heterosexual perspectives and experiences. The field seeks to destabilize traditional power dynamics by exposing the ways in which they have been embedded into knowledge production, research methods, and the academy itself.