Conditionally Accepted : : Christians' Perspectives on Sexuality and Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights / / Baker A. Rogers.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter Rutgers University Press Complete eBook-Package 2020
• VerfasserIn: Rogers, Baker A.,
• Place / Publishing House: New Brunswick, NJ : : Rutgers University Press, , [2019]; ©2020
• Year of Publication: 2019
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (250 p.) :; 1 table and 2 b&w images

This book explores Mississippi Christians’ beliefs about homosexuality and gay and lesbian civil rights and whether having a gay or lesbian friend or family member influences those beliefs. Beliefs about homosexuality and gay and lesbian rights vary widely based on religious affiliation. Despite having gay or lesbian friends or family members, evangelical Protestants believe homosexuality is sinful and oppose gay and lesbian rights. Mainline Protestants are largely supportive of gay and lesbian rights and become more supportive after getting to know gay and lesbian people. Catholics describe a greater degree of uncertainty and a conditional acceptance of gay and lesbian rights; clear differences between conservative and liberal Catholics are evident. Overall, conservative Christians, both evangelical Protestants and conservative Catholics, hold a religious identity that overshadows their relationships with gay and lesbian friends or family. Conservative religion acts as a deterrent to the positive benefits of relationships with gay and lesbian people.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Introduction -- Part 1: Religion and Homosexuality -- 1. God Said Love Thy Neighbor, Unless They’re Gay -- 2. For the Bible (or My Pastor/Priest) Tells Me So: The Bible and Homosexuality -- Part 2: Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights -- 3. Marriage = 1 Man + 1 Woman? Support and Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage -- 4. Do Children Need a Mom and a Dad? The Debate over Same-Sex Adoption -- 5. All [Wo]men Are Created Equal, or Are They? The Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights Movement -- Part 3: Social Contact with Gay and Lesbian People -- 6. Some of My Best Friends Are Gay: The Influence of Social Contact -- Conclusion: When Religion Overshadows Relationships -- Appendix: Methodology -- Acknowledgments -- Notes -- References -- Index -- About the Author