Abstract
Heteronormativity, homophobia and homosexuality – mapping for an inclusive churchThe aim of the article is to indicate that heteronormativity has prevailed from pre-modern times to the modern world. The article argues that heteronormativity, embedded in a patriarchal mind-set, is central to the dynamics of belief patterns which determine, among others, gender roles, heterosexual marriage and sexual ethics which manifest in insider-outsider love-hate relationships. Aversion to sexual minorities (those who are not heterosexual) is a conse-quence. The article explores the following: the interconnection of sexuality, marriage and religion; the connection between homo-phobia and heteronormativity, and how these influence the sexual ethics of the church. In light of the above, the article focuses on the hatred of gays as a consequence of heteronormativity. It explains how an approach to Scripture which uncritically accepts patriarchy, could lead to the justification of homophobia. The article proposes biblical theological perspectives for a postmodern church which is inclusive and loyal to the spirit of the Christian gospel.
Highlights
The aim of the article is to indicate that heteronormativity has prevailed from pre-modern times to the modern world
Die een is van homoseksuele persone wat uit hulle ervaring en geloof, soek na “wat reg is”
Die ander is dié van heteroseksuele persone wat nie verstaan wat dit beteken om homoseksueel te wees nie, en wat as gelowiges ook soek na “wat reg is”
Summary
In die kerklike debat oor homoseksualiteit word twee stemme gehoor. Die een is van homoseksuele persone wat uit hulle ervaring en geloof, soek na “wat reg is”. Ander moontlikhede wat voorgestel word, is die haat van lesbiese en gay persone of heteroseksisme (soortgelyk aan rassisme, seksisme – kyk Young-Bruehl 2003). Blumenfeld (1992:18; vgl Currie, Cunningham & Findlay 2004:1053-1067) beskryf hoe moeilik dit is vir mense om aan homofobie of heteroseksisme (soos seksisme of rassisme) te ontkom:. Die psigoloog Donald Moss (2003:197-223) dui aan dat homofobie veral deur gay mans geïnternaliseer word. Die negatiewe gevoelens ten opsigte van hulle seksualiteit, wat hulle geïnternaliseer het op grond van die samelewing se houdings, veroorsaak egter dat hulle nie wil uitdrukking gee aan hulle “walglike” seksualiteit nie. Daarom is dit belangrik dat die geloofsgemeenskap die verwonding van Heteronormatiwiteit, homofobie en homoseksualiteit seksuele minderhede met ‘n evangelies-pastorale gesindheid benader. Die artikel stel ‘n bepaalde Bybels-teologiese perspektief voor wat hetero-hegemonie afwys en dit vir die kerk moontlik maak om seksuele minderhede te akkommodeer. Dit sou as roetekaart vir ‘n inklusiewe kerk in die toekoms kon dien
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