For the Love of God?! Is there a place for Gay Christians between Faith and Fundamentalism?

Drawing from observation, autoethnography, ethnographic research and audio-taped interviews, this thesis explores the complicated and emotionally charged relationship between homosexuality and Christianity. The current culture war being waged in the media between the Religious Right and members of the LGBT community often results in the isolation and rejection of those who would define themselves as gay Christians. This thesis explores the role of the Bible as it informs and catalyzes this war and other foundational beliefs used as weapons in this rhetorical conflict. Additionally, this thesis analyzes the current battle between the church and the social movement for change in light of the historical battles fought over similar movements. The rhetoric of Christianity, specifically Fundamentalist rhetoric, has been emphatically defended and then dramatically changed in every such battle. Is this a possible resolution for today’s current battle? The thesis explores the historical basis and current application of rhetorical effects on this conflict through the author’s insight as a veteran of both worlds, interviews with major players in the battle such as Randy Thomas and Kristin Tremba of Exodus International and interviews with people who step on the battlefield everyday as pastors, congregants or observers in the fight. With each interview or rhetorical analysis, the viability of dialogue between these two groups is questioned and investigated.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

English

Year dc:date.available

2010

Author dc:creator

• Prentiss, Apryl D.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Laura Browder
• David Coogan
• Elizabeth Hodges
• Lynda Weaver-Williams

• Christianity
• Homosexuality
• Exodus International
• LGBT Community
• gay Christian
• rhetoric
• culture war
• fundamentalist
• evangelical
• Moral Majority
• Pat Robertson
• Jerry Falwell
• Sharon Kowalski
• Faith
• autoethnography
• ethnographic research
• Arts and Humanities
• English Language and Literature

Statement dc:rights

• © The Author

Identifier

https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/88

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-1087