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Same-Sex Marriage and Conservative Christian Values

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Same-Sex Marriage and Conservative Christian Values: A Comparison Between the Republic of Ireland and the State of California (US) from a Post-Legalisation Perspective A dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2020 Bryana Tunder Trinity College Dublin Declaration I declare that this thesis has not been submitted as an exercise for a degree at this or any other university and it is entirely my own work. I agree to deposit this thesis in the Library of Trinity College Dublin and to allow the Library to lend or copy the thesis on request. I agree to deposit this thesis in the University’s open access institutional repository or allow the library to do so on my behalf, subject to Irish Copyright Legislation and Trinity College Library conditions of use and acknowledgement. Bryana Tunder ii Summary Insufficient research has been done to examine same-sex marriage discourse from a post-legalisation perspective in California and Ireland. This project investigates the topic through the lens of campaigns for and against the legalisation of same-sex marriage in both regions. It examines relational dynamics between pro- and anti-same sex marriage campaigners in California (US) and Ireland because, although different in population size and religious demographics, there are sufficient similarities between the debates, and among the primary activists, to prove informative. Building on existing work that investigates the ideologies involved in this conflict, this project looks at the subject primarily through the experience of the actors most immediately involved in its political campaign. This research identifies ideological, religious and cultural factors that have played significant roles in the facilitation of polarisation between these two groups. After a review of relevant literature, a theoretical framework was constructed that is interdisciplinary in nature. Finally, a qualitative methodology was applied to data collected through semi-structured interviews. The subjects of these interviews were selected from four groups: (1) Pro-Same Sex Marriage Advocates in California (2) Anti-Same Sex Marriage Campaigners in California (3) Pro-Same Sex Marriage Advocates in Ireland and (4) Anti-Same Sex Marriage Campaigners in Ireland. Pro-same sex marriage advocates selected, in both California and Ireland, had secular worldviews, while anti-same sex marriage advocates were self-described conservative Christians. Selected to be representative of broader demographic trends, all anti-same sex marriage activists in California were evangelical, while their counterparts in Ireland were Catholic. A total of 19 people were interviewed for this research. Once conducted, interviews were analysed to compare and contrast the experiences and observations of individuals on both sides of the debate and in both jurisdictions. Assessment of the campaign process, including its strategic design and implementation, demonstrated a clear transnational trend between campaigns in both locales. Further analysis of responses showed the outsized role emotion, especially personal grievance, played in post-legalisation perceptions of the campaign on the part of participants. Anti-same sex marriage advocates were especially emotional in their responses and expressed particular feelings of anger and marginalisation because of their conservative views, which they see increasingly marginalised in today’s liberal political framework. Jonathan Haidt’s Moral Foundations Theory explains the role that moral instinct plays in political decision-making, especially in relation to emotionally complex issues like same-sex marriage. MFT helps explain why individuals involved in policy debates are so quick to shut down the possibility of authenticity or sincerity in opponents, while discerning nothing but righteousness in themselves. iii Haidt’s work underscores challenges, evident between pro- and anti-same sex marriage advocates, in overcoming the “us and them” narrative frequently employed to exacerbate tensions. Supported by observations made by activists, this project shows the value of personal narrative and storytelling as a means of connecting across otherwise intractable worldview divides. A post-legalisation assessment of the same-sex marriage campaign in Ireland and California shows that ideological, political and cultural barriers continue to prevent interaction and dialogue between the subjects of this project. A critical analysis of Rawlsian liberalism shows that his concept of the “proviso” is inhibiting inclusive discourse about same-sex marriage in the US and Ireland. An inclusive political framework is, in fact, better supported by Habermas’s post-secular theory, which encourages the equal valuing of secular and non-secular voices in public discourse. As a result, it is better situated to include actors which Rawls’s “proviso” appears to marginalise. The results of this project do, however, challenge Habermas’s post-secular emphasis on the religious/secular worldview divide. Rather, they indicate the greatest gulf is the liberal/conservative one. The wide range of views on marriage discussed throughout this research show the either religious or queer dichotomy is a false one; one that clearly hinders dialogue. Rather, those individuals who fall outside the limiting confines of these restrictive boxes, are uniquely posed to help facilitate dialogue moving forward. Individuals who are members of both LGBTQ+ and religious communities have a unique linguistic fluency that makes them capable of speaking to individuals across the spectrum in both communities. By investigating a variety of avenues into the same-sex marriage debate in California and Ireland, this project critically assesses the possibilities for, and hindrances to, genuine dialogue between opposing groups. On the bases of such assessments, this dissertation recommends the implementation of dialogical practices that support non-judgmental engagement; ones that do not emphasise resolution, but open dialogue. It particularly advocates for a dialogical framework that draws on a both/and, not either/or, model because it allows for an understanding of participants as multifaceted individuals and does not limit discourse by creating a false dichotomy between the LBGTQ+ community and religious adherents. iv Table of Contents Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................................... viii List of Abbreviations ......................................................................................................................... ix INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. 1 CHAPTER 1: HISTORICAL AND THEOLOGICAL CONTEXT OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE .......................................................................................................................................................... 10 Same-Sex Marriage: An Evolving Discourse .......................................................................................... 11 Major Voices in the Debate ..................................................................................................................... 12 American Voices: The Christian Right ............................................................................................... 13 Irish Voices: The Christian Right ....................................................................................................... 14 American Voices: LGBTQ+ Rights ................................................................................................... 15 Irish Voices: LGBTQ+ Rights ............................................................................................................ 16 Part I: The Debate About Religion and Politics ...................................................................... 17 A Religious Demographic Breakdown: State of California and Republic of Ireland ............................. 22 The Rise of American Culture Wars: A New Type of Polarisation ........................................................ 23 Church and State Tensions in Ireland: A Different Kind of Conflict ...................................................... 28 Part II: The Debate About Religion and Gender .................................................................... 32 A Short Account of the Evolution of Sex and Gender in the Christian Tradition ................................... 32 Complementarity: A Theological View of Marriage and Sexuality ........................................................ 36 Protestant Evangelicalism and Gender: Complementarity ................................................................. 39 Catholicism and Gender: Complementarity ....................................................................................... 43 Part III: The Debate About Politics and Gender .................................................................... 45 American Evangelicalism: Politics and Gender ...................................................................................... 46 Evangelicalism and the LGBTQ+ Community: The Early Years ...................................................... 47 Prop 8 to the Supreme Court: The Legalising of Same-Sex Marriage ............................................... 49 Irish Catholicism: Politics and Gender .................................................................................................... 52 Civil Unions to Same-Sex Marriage
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