Would you believe that 86 percent of LGBT people—from the proud marcher
at the Pride Parade to the quiet, closeted teen—spent their childhood in
church? More than half of them left those religious commu-nities as
adults; three out of four would be happy to come back.
For
decades now we have found our-selves caught up in a culture war: us
versus them. Good news: there is no them. Our culture war has been a
civil war:
Us versus Us. And there is a path toward meaningful peace.
Andrew
Marin brings the startling findings of his largest-ever scientific
survey of the religious history, practices, and beliefs of the LGBT
community. Marin’s findings offer clear direction for both sides of a
long cultural battle to meet in the middle, sacrificing neither
conviction nor integrity as they rediscover the things they have in
common and the hope found in Christ alone.
Original, groundbreaking research into the religious lives and beliefs of the LGBT community.
CONTENTS :
- There is no they - 86% of LGBTs were raised in a faith community from the ages of 0 to 18
- The Great Exodus - 54% of LGBT people leave their religious community after the age of 18
- The New Prodigals - 76% of LGBT people are open to returning to their religious community and its practices.
- Faith in Exile - 36% of LGBT continue their faith practices after the age of 18
- An orientation of Prayer- 80% of LGBT people regularly pray regardless of religious identification or affiliation.
- Age Matters in the Culture War - The LGBT experience before coming out, and the dynamics of closeted adulthood.
Conclusion : Moving Forward Together
ENDORSEMENTS :
Andrew Marin thickens the plot once again. You can try to say LGBT people are through with religion or are not themselves particularly religious, but the findings from this ambitious study suggest there is much more to the story. -
Mark A. Yarhouse - Rosemarie Scotti Hughes Ednowed Chair and professor of Psychology, regent University .
This book will shatter the predominant caricature many in the church have of LGBT folk. They are, as Andrew Marin's research reveals, just like us. For those of us to whom LGBT are people with faces, this research will be received not with seeing the other rightly, and that must surely start with the Imago Dei. This book should be read far and wide.
Debra Hirsch - Author,
Redeeming Sex : Naked Conversations about Sexuality and Spirituality.