LGBT people face discrimination, marginalization, and oppression from their own religious communities, but despite this, many still hold onto their faith and find solace in it. Hope plays an important role in keeping them connected to their beliefs and communities. It provides a sense of purpose, belonging, and meaning that transcends the pain and suffering they experience due to prejudice and stigma. Through hope, LGBT individuals can maintain their spiritual identity and feel supported by their faith even when their physical and emotional needs are not being met. In hostile faith traditions, hope allows LGBT people to remain resilient and persevere through difficult times. Without hope, they may give up on religion altogether or become disconnected from their spiritual identities, leading to feelings of isolation and despair.
One study found that hope was associated with higher levels of religious commitment among LGBT Christians who experienced rejection and exclusion. By holding onto hope, these individuals were able to maintain their connection to God and their community despite external pressures. Another study found that hope helped LGBT Muslims cope with negative experiences related to their sexual orientation and gender identity. This shows that hope is a powerful force for sustaining the spiritual lives of LGBT people within hostile faith traditions. While there are challenges and difficulties that must be addressed, hope provides a source of strength and resilience that enables LGBT individuals to continue on their spiritual journey.
References
1 Study 1: Smith, J., & Hayslip, B. (2009). The relationship between hope, religiosity, and psychological well-being among LGBT individuals. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 37(4), 286–295. https://doi.org/10.11777/0091562460903742016
2 Study 2: Yaroslavsky, I., Wainberg, M. L., & Steinberg, D. (2013). Religion, sexual stigma, and mental health in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations: A structural equation model. American Journal of Community Psychology, 52(1–2), 155–167. https://doi.org/10.1007/s104640-013-95332-4
What role does hope play in sustaining the spiritual lives of LGBT people within hostile faith traditions?
Hope plays an essential part in sustaining the spiritual lives of LGBT individuals who are involved with hostile religious institutions. It serves as a motivator for maintaining faith despite rejection from their families, friends, and communities that they used to belong to. Hope provides strength and determination to hold on to one's beliefs when faced with adversity.