Staying connected through conflict: Christian clergy who support same-sex marriage. Andrew David Kirby A thesis submitted to Auckland University of Technology in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 2019 Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences Abstract Same-sex marriage within churches is an ongoing, highly contentious, and contested space. A rich literature depicts dichotomised views, reflecting those of academics at denominational level, and addresses theological substance or denominational policies. However, significantly less is known at the parishioner level about the issue from the perspectives of clergy who support same-sex marriage. These perspectives are important to understand as clergy hold influential positions as opinion leaders at the congregational and social levels, and influence socio-moral discourses within religion and beyond. Using constructivist grounded theory, 21 Christian clergy from six Christian denominations in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia were interviewed about their supportive views. Namely, the research sought to explain what contributed to clergy’s supportive views and how they managed their daily lives holding these views within their institutions. From data analysis a core process was identified as ‘staying connected through conflict.’ The conflict stemmed from clergy’s supportive views which diverged from traditional religious ideology. Valuing relationship was found to be significant in the development of participants’ supportive views on same sex marriage. Valuing relationship at multiple levels underpinned participants’ decision to remain with their church and was a driving force in their staying connected through conflict. The emphasis participants placed on valuing relationship was also found to guide their day-to-day actions and informed how they managed diverse relationships with those holding differing views on the issue of same-sex marriage. This study expands the international evidence to Aotearoa New Zealand and contributes to a growing scholarship in Australia. The findings encourage religious institutions to be respectfully open to conversations that will lead to more understanding, tolerance, and support for supportive clergy as agents of change. Significantly, explaining the perspectives and lives of these clergy has the potential to provide a new source of reference and support for a more unified and compassionate way forward for church leaders or laity, religious or non-religious, straight or gay, who are struggling with the concept of same-sex marriage. i Table of Contents Abstract .............................................................................................................................. i List of Figures ................................................................................................................. vii List of Tables................................................................................................................... vii Attestation of Authorship ............................................................................................... viii Dedication ........................................................................................................................ ix Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................... x Chapter One: Introduction................................................................................................. 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 Focus of inquiry ............................................................................................................ 1 Setting the scene ............................................................................................................ 2 Focus of the study ......................................................................................................... 3 Research aim and purpose ............................................................................................. 4 Rationale for the study .................................................................................................. 4 My interest in the research ............................................................................................ 6 Significance of the research .......................................................................................... 8 Study context ................................................................................................................. 8 The place of marriage in Christianity ............................................................................ 9 Marriage in the Roman Catholic Church .................................................................. 9 Marriage in the Protestant churches ........................................................................ 10 History of marriage in Aotearoa New Zealand ....................................................... 12 History of marriage in Australia ............................................................................. 12 Current position in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia on same-sex marriage ...... 14 Legal status of same-sex marriage in Aotearoa New Zealand ................................ 14 Legal status of same-sex marriage in Australia ...................................................... 14 Position of the Christian churches in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia .......... 15 Scope of study ............................................................................................................. 17 Explanation of key terms used in this thesis ............................................................... 18 Conclusion and the structure of the thesis ................................................................... 19 Chapter Two: Literature Review ..................................................................................... 21 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 21 The literature review in grounded theory .................................................................... 21 Literature review methodology/method ...................................................................... 22 Formulating a working title ..................................................................................... 22 Selecting the literature ............................................................................................ 22 Selecting credible databases .................................................................................... 23 Clarifying key search terms .................................................................................... 23 Analysing, synthesising, and critiquing articles ...................................................... 24 Presentation of the findings ..................................................................................... 25 Contextualising the topic ............................................................................................. 26 ii Introduction ............................................................................................................. 26 The institution of marriage ...................................................................................... 26 Same-sex unions ..................................................................................................... 30 Christianity and same-sex marriage ........................................................................ 33 Clergy’s perspectives .................................................................................................. 42 Clergy and homosexuality ...................................................................................... 42 Clergy and same-sex marriage ................................................................................ 47 Summary and focus of study ....................................................................................... 51 Conclusion................................................................................................................... 53 Chapter Three: Research Methodology .......................................................................... 54 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 54 Ontological positioning: Pragmatism .......................................................................... 54 Origins and development ........................................................................................ 54 Key tenets of pragmatist ontology .......................................................................... 55 Epistemological positioning: Constructivism ............................................................. 57 Key tenets of a constructivist epistemology ........................................................... 57 Social constructionism and constructivism ............................................................. 59 A pragmatist and constructivism philosophy and religion ...................................... 61 Axiological positioning ............................................................................................... 62 Methodological positioning: Grounded theory ........................................................... 64 The development of grounded theory ....................................................................