Sex and the Sacred: Gay Identity and Spiritual Growth - Hardcover

Helminiak, Daniel A

3.75

8 ratings by Goodreads

9781560233411: Sex and the Sacred: Gay Identity and Spiritual Growth

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1560233419 ISBN 13: 9781560233411

Publisher: Routledge, 2006

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A down-to-earth look at the spiritual power of sex

Sex and the Sacred examines the spiritual dimension of human sexuality in a way that is free of religious affiliation but still open to traditional religion and belief in God. Dr. Daniel Helminiak, author of the best-selling What the Bible Really Says about Homosexuality, looks at the relationship between sexuality and spirituality, first, from a humanistic perspective and, then, a more familiar Christian point of view. In particular, he encourages LGBTI people to reclaim their spiritual heritage without apology. This unique book emphasizes spiritual commitment as an essential facet of LGBTI/queer consciousness and addresses such burning themes as coming out, the importance of self-acceptance, gay marriage, gay bashing, and the ethics of gay sex.

Sex and the Sacred combines a psychological approach to spirituality with common sense and compassion, inspiring a break from moralistic religion and an understanding of what true spirituality means. The book applies this understanding to Christian topics such as the Bible, Fundamentalism, and the future of Christianity, and shows how coming out was an issue for Jesus, how homosexual experience relates to the Christian Trinity, and how Western Civilization became so sex-negative.

Sex and the Sacred presents in the end a radical vision of Christianity open to all people. Religious leaders of all denominations, educators, counselors, members of the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender community, non-religious spiritual seekers, and anyone interested in the relationship between spirituality and sexuality will find this book enlightening and uplifting.

Sex and the Sacred examines:

the spiritual drive that is built into human sexuality
the standard religious arguments against gay marriage
a sustained argument that Biblical Fundamentalism is not Christian
spiritual lessons from the AIDS epidemic
the right and wrong of sex—queer and otherwise
homosexuality in Catholic teaching and practice
sexual ethics without religion
a vision for a renewed Christianity within a global community

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About the Author:

Helminiak holds Ph.D.'s in both psychology and theology. He was ordained a priest of the Roman Catholic Church in 1967 and is incardinated in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, PA.

Review:

"A SANE AND REASONABLE APPROACH TO SEXUALITY AND SPIRITUALITY--well worth the cost, if only for the commonsense chapter 'The Right and Wrong of Sex--Queer and Otherwise.' That's something everyone needs to hear!" -- Sister Jeannine Gramick, LS, Co-founder of New Ways Ministry; prolific author on gay spirituality, censured by the Vatican for her educational ministry

"A SANE AND REASONABLE APPROACH TO SEXUALITY AND SPIRITUALITY—well worth the cost." -- Sister Jeannine Gramick, LS, Co-founder of New Ways Ministry; prolific author on gay spirituality, censured by the Vatican for her educational ministry

"AN EXTRAORDINARY BOOK for which all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people should be grateful. I especially commend the chapter 'The Trinitarian Vocation of the Gay Community.' Danial Helminiak has expertise in many connected fields--theology, biblical scholarship, psychotherapy, spiritual direction--and brings his erudition, insight, and wisdom to bear on thorny issues facing the gay community. Whatever he touches he illuminates with prose that is easy to read and understand." -- Father John McNeill, Author of the groundbreaking book The Church and the Homosexual and numerous other books on gay spirituality; ousted from the Jesuits by the Vatican for his ministry to gay and lesbian Catholics

"AN EXTRAORDINARY BOOK for which all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people should be grateful." -- Father John McNeill, Author of the groundbreaking book The Church and the Homosexual and numerous other books on gay spirituality; ousted from the Jesuits by the Vatican for his ministry to gay and lesbian Catholics

"IN ENGAGING, EASY-TO-READ PROSE, Helminiak addresses the central work of spirituality today: to tease out the rich meaning behind religious myths and doctrines so that they make sense to us lesbians and gay men who have been so influential in creating religion yet are so victimized by it. As a theologian, Scripture scholar, psychologist, and gay spiritual apologist, Helminiak shows that spiritual commitment is not at all inimical to modern GLBT/queer consciousness. THE ESSAYS ON HEAVEN AS EVERLASTING ORGASM AND ON THE HOMOSEXUAL MODELING OF RELATIONS WITHIN THE BLESSED TRINITY ARE DELIGHTFULLY PROVOCATIVE AND DOWNRIGHT QUEERLY BRILLIANT." -- Toby Johnson, Author of Gay Perspective: Things Our Homosexuality Tells Us About the Nature of God and the Universe and numerous other books; Former Editor, White Crane: Journal of Gay Wisdom & Culture

"This book should serve as a beacon for lesbian, gay, bi, and trans people, whether religious or not, who have lost their spiritual way. . . . An illuminating study of the queer spiritual experience." -- Christian de la Huerta, Author of Coming Out Spiritually; Founder and President of Q-Spirit

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