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Publications

Behold, I Make All Things New & I Am Divine, So Are You

GIN, in collaboration with the Church of Sweden has produced two books addressing human sexuality and human dignity from the perspective of a range of faith traditions, and is in the process of producing a third.

The initial idea for the books arose out of the Uppsala Festival of Theology, which is an event, organised by the Church of Sweden, which has brought together lay and ordained people from across Sweden and many visitors from around the world. It has grown since its inception eight years ago to be a space for lively and engaging discussion, debate and discourse.

The 2015 event, themed Behold, I make all things new, included a number of key streams of which the Human Dignity and Human Sexuality was one that the Church of Sweden International Department engaged in and that involved interfaith dialogue between the three Abrahamic faiths.

With a more than 150-year history in international development work, the Church of Sweden has worked in many interfaith environments. It is clear to us that the protection of human dignity through human rights is a critical element of personal, social, national and international development. Interfaith dialogue becomes a crucial tool to explore together how our different faiths approach important aspects of our being human and of living in community.

Within the Church of Sweden self-awareness and the understanding of human sexuality has been a journey over many decades and to host interfaith dialogue on this topic was indeed a privilege. The dialogue at the Festival of Theology generated so much interest that we decided to present and share its outcomes in the form of an anthology. As such it is intended as a contribution to an evolving conversation about human dignity and human sexuality, as well as a model that could be used for interfaith engagement in this area.

The first book, Behold, I make all things new, was the initial product of that decision in collaboration with GIN. Subsequently a second book, addressing the Karmic faith traditions, I Am Divine, So Are You has been published, and a third book, covering a range of indigenous faith traditions is in preparation.

Behold, I make all things new

What do the sacred texts of Judaism, Christianity and Islam really say in regard to human sexuality?

This anthology is an exciting window on how modern Judaic, Christian and Muslim theologians are unpacking the scripture verses most often used to condemn homosexuality. Edited by the Reverend Loraine Tulleken B.Th (Hons) and the Reverend JP Mokgethi-Heath B.TH (Hons). Buy the Kindle version now on Amazon at only $4.59.
Get your copy of the e-book here now.

I Am Divine, So Are You

How Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Hinduism affirm the dignity of queer identities and sexualities

In 2015, a historic panel discussion took place at the global Festival of Theology held in Sweden. Its objective was to examine what the sacred texts of the Abrahamic faiths – Judaism, Christianity and Islam – had to say about human sexuality.
By bringing in perspectives from the Karmic faiths of Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Hinduism, which together represent the beliefs of almost a third of the world’s population, I Am Divine. So Are You expands this conversation between world religions and human sexuality to a truly global level.
The theology of Karmic faiths is revealed at the intersection of scripture, culture, rituals and lived realities. And hence they are dynamic and amenable to a multiplicity of perspectives. They lend themselves more easily to a recognition and acceptance of fluidity in human sexuality. This is a landmark book as it recasts religion – especially Karmic faiths – as an ally and not an adversary of queer emancipation and thus significantly informs the secular and legal movements for LGBTQ rights around the world.

Introduced by DEVDUTT PATTANAIK
Editor JERRY JOHNSON
Co-editors Rev’d Loraine Tulleken B.Th (Hons)
Rev’d J.P. Mokgethi-Heath B.Th (Hons)

Buy the Kindle version now on Amazon at only $3.19.

Get your copy of the e-book here now.

The Effects of the Religious Anti-Rights Movement on LGBTIQ+ People's Access to Human Rights in Africa

GIN has released a new report titled, ‘The Effects of the Religious Anti-Rights Movement on LGBTIQ+ People’s Access to Human Rights in Africa‘. The report is accessible through the form below.

Synopsis

The anti-rights movements’ agenda has proliferated across the African continent through a network of well-funded organisations, religious, political leaders and other foot soldiers who have overseen the passage of anti-LGBTIQ laws, discrimination against LGBTIQ children and adults in all spheres of life, as well as direct violence including murder against Africans perceived as LGBTIQ. The LGBTIQ communities in Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Nigeria have witnessed the worst impacts of this anti-rights agenda both on individual LGBTIQ persons, and on the ability of their movements to organise and agitate for human rights and freedom, as documented in the findings of this research. The spiritual and social bereavement that the anti-rights propaganda has imposed on LGBTIQ Africans continues to negatively impact our ability to live full and dignified lives, as they insist that not only is queer identity abominable, it is also unAfrican and a sin against God.

LGBTIQ Africans have utilised the limited resources available to their movements to do the work of challenging this propaganda and the laws, policies and social mistreatment that has arisen from it. However, because LGBTIQ organising work remains severely underfunded, at least in comparison to the large sums that the anti-rights actors have access to, activists continue to lament having to fight on several fronts against a better coordinated and resourced enemy. This disparity is further compounded by the positive social regard that many of these anti-rights actors continue to enjoy within our societies. 

It is important for donors to not only support direct legal and strategic challenges against the anti-rights movement, but also to spotlight and provide resources for the internal facing work around the protection of the spiritual and mental well-being of LGBTIQ communities in Africa. 

As highlighted in the findings, LGBTIQ movements have seen a rise in faith-based organising that counters anti-rights rhetoric and provides essential spiritual support for LGBTIQ Africans, addressing an often-overlooked need. This approach has a profoundly positive effect on mental health and community resilience, equipping LGBTIQ individuals to advocate more effectively. Notable examples include campaigns such as the “Global Interfaith Network’s Dialogue for Dignity,” which brings together religious leaders and LGBTIQ activists to challenge homophobic interpretations of scripture and promote inclusivity. Another impactful initiative is Kenya’s “Inclusivity Ministry,” where faith leaders provide pastoral care to queer congregants, enhancing their sense of acceptance and community.

Similarly, South Africa’s House of Rainbow has led powerful workshops that blend faith and LGBTIQ advocacy, helping individuals reconcile their sexuality with spirituality, which has fostered notable mental health benefits. These spaces not only counter the isolation LGBTIQ individuals often face but also help create informed, spiritually grounded advocates who can effectively mobilise for policy changes and social acceptance. As demonstrated by these campaigns, building and supporting faith-based LGBTIQ spaces is essential for creating a spiritually healthy, resilient community capable of sustained advocacy.

Furthermore, a resurgence of African spirituality among LGBTIQ Africans as reported in Nigeria seems to be a most rational and appropriate response to the weaponising of mainstream western/ Abrahamic religious traditions against LGBTIQ Africans. It’s necessary to explore these spiritualities and their potential as a tool in not just providing community, but also challenging the anti-rights propaganda about what is or isn’t African.

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