Queer religious experiences refer to the ways in which nonheterosexual and gender nonconforming people relate to their faith communities and spiritual practices. These individuals may have different belief systems than heterosexuals and cisgender individuals, and their understandings of God/gods/spirits/etc. may be informed by personal experiences of exclusion, oppression, and discrimination.
Despite these differences, there are some common themes that emerge when studying queer religious experiences across cultures. By comparing cross-culturally, we can identify ethical universals - moral principles that transcend cultural differences - and also explore how context shapes morality. This paper will discuss three such insights from comparative studies.
Insight 1: Universal Ethics of Love
Love is often seen as a core value in many religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and others. In these traditions, love is generally associated with compassion, empathy, kindness, generosity, and care for others. Queer religious experiences often center around this universal ethic of love.
LGBTQ+ Muslims may interpret the Quran's teachings on love and justice to include sexual minorities (Khan & Alamdar 2018). Similarly, Jewish rabbinical scholarship has emphasized the importance of loving one's neighbor (Marcus 2007), which could extend to same-sex relationships. Studies of queer Catholicism have highlighted the role of community and charity in supporting LGBTQ+ people (McNeill 2016). These findings suggest that love is a universal principle that transcends cultural differences and can inform ethical decision-making.
Insight 2: Moral Contextualization
While ethical universals provide an important framework for understanding queer religious experiences, context also plays a crucial role in shaping morality. Different cultures may have different norms, values, and expectations regarding gender roles, family structures, and sexual behavior.
Some Asian countries may place more emphasis on family honor than Western nations (Park et al. 2015). This can lead to conflicting moral frameworks when it comes to same-sex desire or identity, as homosexuality may be seen as disruptive to family stability in conservative societies. In these cases, individuals may need to negotiate between their own personal values and the expectations of their families and communities. Comparative cross-cultural studies can help identify such conflicts and explore how they are resolved within specific contexts.
Insight 3: The Power of Community
Queer religious experiences often involve community-building and solidarity with others who share similar identities.
Gay Buddhist groups may offer support and refuge from homophobia in larger society (Moon 2014). Indigenous Two-Spirit communities celebrate traditional spiritual practices while also affirming queer identities (Wilson 2018). Queer Christians may join LGBTQ+ churches or create their own worship spaces (Crabtree & Smith 2019). These findings suggest that community is a critical aspect of ethics, providing emotional and practical support for those facing discrimination. By comparing across cultures, we can see how different faith traditions nurture queer religious experience through communal bonding and mutual aid.
Comparative cross-cultural studies of queer religious experiences provide insights into both universal ethics and contextual morality. Love, empathy, compassion, care, charity, and community are all important themes that transcend cultural differences.
Individual decisions about sexuality and gender may be shaped by local norms, values, and expectations. By understanding these dynamics, we can better advocate for social justice and promote inclusive religious practices that respect the full humanity of all people.
What insights can comparative cross-cultural studies of queer religious experiences offer about ethical universals and contextual morality?
In the light of comparative cross-cultural studies of queer religious experiences, it is evident that different cultures have varying perceptions and understandings of what constitutes right and wrong. The cultural differences in moral values and beliefs are influenced by a multitude of factors, such as social norms, political ideologies, historical events, economic conditions, and personal experiences.