The Varieties of Religious Responses to Homosexuality: A Content and Tonal Analysis of Articles in Pastoral Psychology from 1950 to 2015 Regarding Sexual Minorities
Psychology has a complex history with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. Substantial shifts in stance, rhetoric, and research over the decades have influenced the greater societal view of LGBT people. While a noticeable cultural shift is occurring in America toward acceptance of...
Main Author: | |
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Format: | Electronic Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
Journals Online & Print: | |
Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
Published: |
Springer Science Business Media B. V.
[2017]
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In: |
Pastoral psychology
Year: 2017, Volume: 66, Issue: 1, Pages: 79-101 |
RelBib Classification: | KAJ Church history 1914-; recent history KBQ North America KDG Free church NCF Sexual ethics RH Evangelization; Christian media ZD Psychology |
Further subjects: | B
CONTENT analysis (Communication)
B Homosexuality B Evangelical Christians B Religious communities B Pastoral Psychology B Sexual minorities B Identity B Spiritual and religious communities B LGBT B PSYCHOLOGY of LGBT people |
Online Access: |
Volltext (doi) |
Summary: | Psychology has a complex history with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. Substantial shifts in stance, rhetoric, and research over the decades have influenced the greater societal view of LGBT people. While a noticeable cultural shift is occurring in America toward acceptance of LGBT people, some continue to argue that same-sex relationships are not healthy. Evangelical Christians, those who hold a high respect for the authority of the Bible and support nearly literal readings of its teachings, generally support such a position (Sullivan-Blum 2009). There is strain among evangelicals regarding what it means to live faithfully and to engage LGBT people, which becomes increasingly complex as evangelicals who identify as sexual minorities speak up and share their stories. Historically, a delayed time trend can be seen in responses to homosexuality among evangelical Christians. A content and tonal analysis was conducted of 53 peer-reviewed articles found in Pastoral Psychology, which were categorized as non-affirming, neutral/ exploratory, or affirming. This analysis revealed a notable trend over the last 65 years toward more open and inclusive dialogue surrounding LGBT people, even when more traditional stances were being held. Tracing the views toward homosexuality in psychology and society allows for a more complex understanding of the current tensions among American evangelical Christians. |
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ISSN: | 1573-6679 |
Contains: | Enthalten in: Pastoral psychology
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Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1007/s11089-016-0717-1 |