“Ye Double-Minded”: Black Parishioners’ Attitudes toward Nonaffirming Church Climates
Homophobia in the black community has been largely attributed to the Black Church's conservative views concerning sexual orientation. Prior research demonstrates that black congregations are generally nonaffirming of nonheterosexuality; however, few studies have investigated black congregants’...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Wiley-Blackwell
2023
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| In: |
Journal for the scientific study of religion
Year: 2023, Volume: 62, Issue: 1, Pages: 108-125 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
USA
/ Blacks
/ Church congregation
/ Homosexuality
/ Sexual orientation
|
| RelBib Classification: | AD Sociology of religion; religious policy CB Christian life; spirituality KBQ North America KDD Protestant Church KDG Free church NCF Sexual ethics RB Church office; congregation |
| Further subjects: | B
LGBTQ
B Black Church B Homophobia B sexualities B Culture |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Summary: | Homophobia in the black community has been largely attributed to the Black Church's conservative views concerning sexual orientation. Prior research demonstrates that black congregations are generally nonaffirming of nonheterosexuality; however, few studies have investigated black congregants’ responses to their churches’ climates regarding sexuality. Using in-depth interviews, this paper examines the extent to which black Christians are content with their congregations’ nonaffirming climates. Findings indicate that although some black parishioners are content with or indifferent to their churches’ climates, most respondents advocate for a change in how their congregations address sexual orientation, specifically calling for open conversations about sexuality. Furthermore, an examination of the language respondents used to evaluate congregational climates suggests discussions of sexuality in churches that humanize and encourage empathy for nonheterosexual identities may help facilitate such conversations. These results challenge assumptions of ideological homogeneity within religious organizations and could inform strategies to promote nonheterosexual inclusion in congregations. |
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| ISSN: | 1468-5906 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal for the scientific study of religion
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1111/jssr.12824 |