Intrapersonal conflict between Christianity and homosexuality: the personal effects faced by gay men and lesbians
List of Authors
  • Mohamad, S.M. , Subhi, N.

Keyword
  • intrapersonal conflict, homosexuality, gay men, lesbians, Christianity

Abstract
  • Potential conflict between Christianity and homosexuality is not considered as a totally new phenomenon. Nonetheless, since scarce is known regarding the matter this might assumed the level of intolerance is still high within most traditional western religion including Christianity. A qualitative study of 10 male and 10 female Christian homosexuals was conducted via in-depth semi-structured interviews. This paper seeks to explore the potential conflict between Christianity and homosexuality faced by the respondents. The result found that the majority, eighty percent (80%), were affected by the conflict, suggesting that both Christianity and homosexuality were important components of their lives. The most common personal effects of conflict between Christianity and homosexuality indentified included depression (68.8%), self blame/guilt (37.5%), anxiety (31.3%), suicidal ideation (25%) and alienation (25%). Implications and recommendations at three levels are provided to assist those dealing with homosexual people who are affected by the conflict.

Reference
  • Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2006. Year book Australia. Canberra: Author.
    Barret, R., & Barzan, R. 1996. Spiritual experiences of gay men and lesbians. Counseling and Values, 41(1), 4-12.
    Barret, R., & Logan, C. 2002. Counseling gay men and lesbians: A practice primer. Pacific Grove: Brooks/ Cole.
    Bieschke, K. J., McClanahan, M., Tozer, E., Grzegorek, J. L., & Park, J. 2000. Programmatic research on the treatment of lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients: The past, the present, and the course for the future. In R. M. Perez, K. A. DeBord & K. J. Bieschke (Eds.), Handbook of counseling and psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients. Washington DC: American Psychological Association, 309-335.
    Boyatzis, R. E. 1998. Transforming qualitative information: Thematic analysis and code development. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
    Braun, V., & Clarke, V. 2006. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative research in Psychology, 3, 77-101.
    Buchanan, M., Dzelme, K., Harris, D., & Hecker, L. 2001. Challenges of being simultaneously gay or lesbian and spiritual and/or religious: A narrative perspective. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 29, 435-449.
    D'Augelli, A. R., Hershberger, S. L., & Pilkington, N. W. 2001. Suicidality patterns and sexual orientation-related factors among lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths. Suicide & Life - Threatening Behavior, 31(3), 250.
    Ellison, M. M. 1993. Homosexuality and Protestantism. In A. Swindler (Ed.), Homosexuality and world religions. Valley Forge, PA: Trinity.
    Garnets, L., Hancock, K. A., Cochran, S. D., Goodchilds, J., & Peplau, L. A. 1991. Issues in psychotherapy with lesbian and gay men. American Psychologist, 46, 964-972.
    Haldeman, D. C. 1996. Spirituality and religion in the lives of lesbians and gay men. In R. Cabaj & T. Stein (Eds.), Textbook of homosexuality and mental health (pp. 881-896). Washington DC: American Psychiatric Press.
    Haldeman, D. C. 2004. When sexual and religious orientation collide: Considerations in working with conflicted same-sex attracted male clients. The Counseling Psychologist, 32(5), 691-715.
    Herek, G. M. 2003. Evaluating interventions to alter sexual orientation: Methodological and ethical considerations. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 32, 438-439.
    Kourany, R. F. 1987. Suicide among homosexual adolescents. Journal of Homosexuality, 13(4), 111-117.
    Kulkin, H. S., Chaurin, E. A., & Percle, G. A. 2000. Suicide among gay and lesbian adolescents and young adults: A review of the literature. Journal of Homosexuality, 40(1), 1-29.
    Loftus, J. 2001. America's liberation in attitudes toward homosexuality, 1973 to 1998. American Sociological Review, 66(5), 762-782.
    Mahaffy, K. A. 1996. Cognitive dissonance and its resolution: A study of lesbian Christians. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 35(4), 392.
    McMinn, L. G. 2005. Sexual identity concerns for Christian young adults: Practical considerations for being a supportive presence and compassionate companion. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 24(4), 368-377.
    Myers, S. M. 1996. An interactive model of religiosity inheritance: The importance of family context. American Sociological Review, 61(5), 858.
    Newman, B. S., & Muzzonigro, P. G. 1993. The effect of traditional family values on the coming out process of gay male adolescents. Adolescence, 28(109), 213-226.
    Patton, M. Q. 2002. Qualitative research & evaluation methods (3rd. ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
    Phillips, J. C. 2000. Training issues and consideration. In R. M. Perez, K. A. DeBord & K. J. Bieschke (Eds.), Handbook of counseling and psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients (pp. 337-358). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
    Polkinghorne, D. E. 2005. Language and meaning: Data collection in qualitative research. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52(2), 137-145.
    Remafedi, G., French, S., Story, M., Resnick, M. D., & Blum, R. 1998. The relationship between suicide risk and sexual orientation: Results of a population-based study. American Journal of Public Health, 88(1), 57.
    Richards, P. S., & Bergin, A. E. 2000. Religious diversity and psychotherapy: Conclusions, recommendations, and future directions. In P. S. Richards & A. E. Bergin (Eds.), Handbook of psychotherapy and religious diversity. Washington, DC: American Psychology Association.
    Rodriguez, E. M. 2010. At the intersection of church and gay: A review of the psychological research on gay and lesbian Christians. Journal of Homosexuality, 57, 5-38.
    Schuck, K. D., & Liddle, B. J. 2001. Religious conflicts experienced by lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Psychotherapy, 5(2), 63-82.
    Seidman, I. E. 1991. Interviewing as qualitative research. New York: Teachers College Press.
    Skegg, K., Nada-Raja, S., Dickson, N., Paul, C., & Williams, S. 2003. Sexual orientation and self-harm in men and women. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 160(3), 541-546.
    Thumma, S. 1991. Negotiating a religious identity: The case of the gay evangelical. Sociological Analysis, 52 (4), 333-347.
    Worthington, R. L. 2004. Sexual identity, sexual orientation, religious identity, and change: Is it possible to depolarize the debate? The Counseling Psychologist, 32(5), 741-749.
    Yang, A. S. 1997. The poles-trends: Attitudes toward homosexuality. Public Opinion Quarterly, 61(3), 477-507.