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Is There a Place for Gay Christians Between Faith and Fundamentalism? Virginia Commonwealth University VCU Scholars Compass Theses and Dissertations Graduate School 2010 For the Love of God?! Is there a place for Gay Christians between Faith and Fundamentalism? Apryl D. Prentiss Virginia Commonwealth University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd Part of the English Language and Literature Commons © The Author Downloaded from https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/88 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at VCU Scholars Compass. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of VCU Scholars Compass. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Apryl D. Prentiss 2010 All Rights Reserved i For the Love of God?! Is there a place for Gay Christians between Faith and Fundamentalism? A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in English (Writing and Rhetoric) at Virginia Commonwealth University. By Apryl D. Prentiss B.A. English Campbell University 2000 Director: Dr. Laura Browder, Professor of English, College of Humanities and Sciences Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia May, 2010 ii Acknowledgments To my director, Laura Browder: For your vision, support, and vigilance against melodrama, Thank you! To my committee, Elizabeth Hodges, Lynda Weaver-Williams and David Coogan: For your time and participation To those who allowed me to use their stories and words: Thank you! To my Family and Friends: For your unconditional support and love. Especially Dad and Robyn, Dana and Beth, Robbie and Amy, Libby and Will, Theresa H., Jenny H., Antionette and (those formerly known as) the Hangar Crew To K.B.: For forgiving this ex-ex-gay junkie‘s judgment and having the strength to begin the single most important conversation of my life To Ashley: For forgiving this ex-ex-gay leader a long season of misguided advice and loving me anyway To Adrian, my wife: For your unbelievable self-sacrifice and support For your strength and confidence in me For your commitment to always challenging me to grow For your love that has changed my world Thank you. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... viii Introduction “Resume of a Gay Christian” ............................................................................... 1 Chapter 1: Surveying the Landscape ......................................................................................... 8 A National Example ......................................................................................................... 12 Biblical Basis ................................................................................................................... 13 The ―Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin‖ Syndrome ................................................................ 21 Chapter 2: Rhetoric Challenged. Rhetoric Changed. ............................................................... 27 We Didn‘t Start the Fire..................................................................................................... 31 Profile of a Christian Soldier ............................................................................................. 33 Weapon of Choice ............................................................................................................ 36 Battles in History: Slavery ................................................................................................ 44 Battles in History: Civil Rights Movement ........................................................................ 48 Battles in History: Interracial Marriage ............................................................................. 54 Battles in History: Women‘s Rights .................................................................................. 58 Chapter 3: “Perfect Enemies” ................................................................................................... 67 God‘s Enforcers: The Religious Right ............................................................................... 68 A Co-Mingled History ...................................................................................................... 73 New Weapon. New Warriors. ........................................................................................... 76 iv AIDS and the 80s .............................................................................................................. 78 Gay Agenda‖ and the 90s .................................................................................................. 80 The War over LGBT Rights............................................................................................... 83 Chapter 4: Same Tactics—Different War. ................................................................................ 90 Tactic #1: Nation Domination/Overhaul of Entire Social Order ........................................ 91 Tactic #2: Using the Exception of the Few to Fight the Reality of the Many ..................... 94 Tactic #3: The Fear Game.................................................................................................. 113 Chapter 5: Shifting Mentalities, Shifting History. .................................................................... 125 Bibliography ................................................................................................................................ 131 v Abstract FOR THE LOVE OF GOD?! IS THERE A PLACE FOR GAY CHRISTIANS BETWEEN FAITH AND FUNDAMENTALISM? By Apryl D. Prentiss, M.A A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in English (Writing and Rhetoric) at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2010. Major Director: Dr. Laura Browder, Professor of English, College of Humanities and Sciences 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 vi 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. vii viii “You cannot have Liberty in this world without what you call Moral Virtue, and you cannot have Moral Virtue without the slavery of that half of the human race who hates what you call Moral Virtue.” William Blake Baptist. Baptized. Baptized in the Holy Spirit. Love Jesus. Can speak in tongues. Christian elementary school, middle school, high school, college. Chaplain of academic class four years running. Missionary to Russia. Christian schoolteacher. Liberty University. Falwell. Youth group worker. Writer of a curriculum on “Holiness”. Role model and mentor for Christian youths. Voted for “W” twice. Missionary to Slovakia and Serbia. These are just a few entries on my resume, jewels in my crown that I accumulated as a member of the Christian community at large -- a poster child for 16 years of Christian education, service, and membership in the Christian Right. A virtuous history marred by a few years of rebellion in college, but overall, the key to my seat at the table of Christian fellowship, programming and proselytizing. And I loved it. I loved Jesus and I loved to serve him. I would sit down in a restaurant, coffee shop, in the line at the grocery stores and passionately tell you how much Christianity had done for me and that you need it too! However, lurking underneath the well groomed veneer this ―sold out‖ Christian woman had a secret. A sin above all sins tied to shame, guilt, self-hatred and lack of faith, so my programming had informed me. It had always been there coloring experiences in my Christian journey and marring everything I did for Christ. I knew that reaching out for help threatened to negate the life I had lived and cancel my membership in a community that I loved. But I took the risk and in doing so, I added a few more entries: Prayer counselee. Exorcised. Exodus International, “the largest information and referral ministry in the world addressing homosexual issues.” Proud graduate of an Exodus 1 sourced, “ex-gay” program1. Small group leader and teacher of an ex-gay program. Ex-gay success story. Mentor to others “struggling” with homosexuality.
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