"Aizliegtās" Seksualitātes Diskurss Latvijas Kristietībā: Discourse of "Forbidden" Sexuality in the Christian Denominations of Latvia.
The author of this article has analyzed how homosexuality, in post-soviet Latvia, has transformed from a taboo issue to an issue open to public debate. The beginnings of gay emancipation (such as emergence of pro-gay organizations and public appearance of sexual minorities in events like gay pride)...
| Auteur principal: | |
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| Type de support: | Électronique Article |
| Langue: | Letton |
| Vérifier la disponibilité: | HBZ Gateway |
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Publié: |
LU Akadēmiskais apgāds
2009
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| Dans: |
Cel̜š
Année: 2009, Numéro: 59, Pages: 161-188 |
| Sujets non-standardisés: | B
Discourse Analysis
B JINKINS, Michael B Dignity B Gender Identity B HUMAN sexuality in religion B LATVIA B Religious leaders B Self-esteem B RELIGIOUS groups |
| Accès en ligne: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Résumé: | The author of this article has analyzed how homosexuality, in post-soviet Latvia, has transformed from a taboo issue to an issue open to public debate. The beginnings of gay emancipation (such as emergence of pro-gay organizations and public appearance of sexual minorities in events like gay pride) have forced to respond the religious groups that otherwise have preferred to keep silent about this issue in the past. The present situation in Latvia is similar in many ways to what churches in Western Europe and America experienced in the 60s and 70s-the stance on ethical issues was considered to be test of orthodoxy and therefore caused controversies and splits. The predominantly conservative environment in Latvia has also influenced religious life, and the church leaders have disciplined pastors that have been pro-gay or have publicly revealed their sexual orientation in various ways-from being expelled from the church to being marginalized by their religious groups. At the same time, small groups of believers have emerged that are positive towards alternative sexual identities. Drawing from the work of the American theologian Michael Jinkins (himself influenced by the Riga-born philosopher Isaiah Berlin), the author of the article lays out some principles that could serve as a starting point for dialogue in the future and would help to avoid being split in parallel communities: (1) nurture culture of dialogue which respects different opinions; (2) plurality as not only a pragmatic concept for co-existence but as an essential theological category, because theology and its history is pluralistic like the universe itself; (3) human dignity and self-worth should also be attributed to the people whom one disagrees with; (4) a more positive understanding of sexuality and the variety of sexual identities, thus avoiding the trap of hetero/homo dichotomy; (5) understanding that the Bible and traditions of the early church do not contain a monolithic moral code. Acknowledgement of these principles will not lead to a uniform perspective; however, it will at least lessen the polemical nature of the current debate. |
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| Contient: | Enthalten in: Cel̜š
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