Throwback: Scary Things
queertheology's podcast
We get a lot of questions about hell, the rapture, and end times. So awhile back, we did a series on Scary Things. For this week, we have another throw back episode from this series. For this one, we’ll focus on the Rapture and the End of the World. We’re talking all about end times, the rapture, and other “scary” things from the Bible. We are certain that no matter the religion or faith you were brought up in, you’ve probably heard something or another about the end of the world and in this episode, Brian and Fr. Shay talk about what they were taught, whether they...
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Post Shame & Sacred Intimacy with Adam MacLean
queertheology's podcast
We’re joined on the podcast this week by Adam MacLean (@adammacattack) who is the founder of PostShame.org and #PostShame, online tools designed to help people examine their past for things they worry might leak on the internet, and then proactively share those stories themselves. By doing so, they transform these stories into narratives of strength and leadership, offering support to others struggling with similar challenges. He is also the host of the podcast “Find Your Light with Adam MacLean”, where he navigates difficult conversations around shame, leadership, and...
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Throwback: Queerness Is A Cornerstone
queertheology's podcast
We're doing something that we haven't done in awhile here which is to have a throwback episode for this week. We're coming up on a huge milestone- 600 episodes!- and there's probably a lot of episodes that some of y’all have not heard and we think that revisiting the Bible has power because you learn new things. So for this episode, we’ll revisit Queerness as a Cornerstone. This episode is filled with so much good stuff and we’re excited for you to dive in. We have a listener question from Bella about how to talk about your faith without making other people...
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Tips for Churches at Pride
queertheology's podcast
Pride brings out many people trying to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community and an interesting conversation about how churches show up at Pride inspired this week’s episode. In this conversation, we explore the role of churches supporting and engaging with the LGBTQ community during Pride Month. We have some practical insight on how churches can show genuine involvement, service, and inclusivity, while showing up meaningfully at Pride events and beyond. Takeaways Pride Month is celebrated globally, creating a sense of connection among queer individuals. Churches should...
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Complicated Communities
queertheology's podcast
Communities can be complex. We delve into the complexities of relationships, the nature of goodness, and the challenges of community dynamics. We explore the idea of labeling people as “good” or “bad,” and emphasize the importance of understanding inherent goodness and the health of individuals. We also touch on the necessity of boundaries within communities and the role of compassion in navigating difficult relationships. Ultimately, we are advocates for a nuanced approach to community building and self-reflection, and encourage y’all to embrace the complexities of human...
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Celebration & Resistance: Let's Talk About Pride Month!
queertheology's podcast
It’s Pride month and we’re sharing some of our thoughts about it in this week’s episode. There are a lot of complexities with Pride Month and we especially want to explore the dual nature of celebration and resistance within the LGBTQ community. With recent funding cuts to arts organizations, the challenges of sustaining movements without corporate support, and the importance of balancing joy with activism, it can seem like there isn’t much to celebrate. But sometimes you have to mix that joy with the hard work and really lean into community engagement. Takeaways Pride Month...
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Queering Prayer
queertheology's podcast
In this episode of the Queer Theology Podcast, Shannon and Brian explore the multifaceted nature of prayer, reflecting on their personal journeys and the evolving understanding of spirituality. They discuss the emotional complexities tied to prayer, the importance of community, and how queerness influences their approach to prayer. The conversation emphasizes the need for collective action and connection in spiritual practices, inviting listeners to rethink their own beliefs and experiences with prayer. Takeaways Shannon shares his evolving journey with prayer. Prayer can be a means...
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We Need a Nap
queertheology's podcast
Besides just being BUSY at the moment, we’re both feeling the anxiety of the daily current news. And it is exhausting, y’all. So, yes, while we do need a good nap, we also get into the themes of rest, self-care, and community engagement amidst the challenges of modern life in this episode. There is a tension between the need for personal rest and the demands of activism, and as with most things in life, it is important to find balance. We also talk about the value of micro rituals in daily life, even if they are much more micro than you would like them to be. We're holding another round of...
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Grief, Demons, Agnostics at Church: Listener Q&A
queertheology's podcast
We tackle a series of questions from listeners on this week’s episode! The questions focus on the intersection of faith, identity, and community for LGBTQ+ individuals. We discuss the challenges faced by transgender individuals in church settings, the misconceptions surrounding sin and sexuality, the experiences of agnostics in religious spaces, and the nuanced understanding of the Holy Spirit in the lives of queer individuals. We also get into grief, demons and the importance of personal agency and community in navigating these topics. Takeaways No, it's not a sin and you're not...
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Maybe Doubting Thomas Was The Only Reasonable One
queertheology's podcast
Fr. Shannon shares a sermon exploring the story of Doubting Thomas from the Gospel of John for this episode. He delves into themes of fear, doubt, and faith, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging doubt as a natural part of faith, particularly in the face of suffering and uncertainty. May we be a little more like Thomas in the sense that it feels like he was being reasonable. And may we embrace our doubts and continue to show up for our communities, promoting peace and justice despite challenges. Takeaways Doubt is a natural part of faith. Thomas's demand for proof is...
info_outlineWe are joined by author @lukeslamdunkwilson for this podcast episode to talk about his journey from being a former evangelical to a queer academic. Dr. Lucas Wilson is a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Toronto Mississauga, formerly the Justice, Equity, and Transformation Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Calgary. He is the editor of Shame-Sex Attraction: Survivors’ Stories of Conversion Therapy. He is currently working on two interrelated monograph projects that examine evangelical homophobia and transphobia in the U.S. discussing the intertwining of his faith and queer identity. In this conversation, he delves into the history and reality of conversion therapy, emphasizing the ongoing struggles faced by survivors. Lucas also reflects on the motivation behind his book, contrasting his academic work with personal narratives, and highlights common themes such as shame and secrecy in the stories of conversion therapy survivors. Our discussion aims to raise awareness about the continued existence of conversion therapy practices, despite legal prohibitions. Lucas also highlights the importance of sharing queer stories and finding hope beyond the struggles faced in high-control religious environments.
Takeaways
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Luke identifies as an ex-vangelical and conversion therapy survivor.
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His academic work focuses on queer history and the New Christian Right.
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Conversion therapy is often misunderstood as only occurring in specific settings.
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The term 'conversion practices' encompasses a broader range of experiences.
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Many queer individuals have undergone some form of conversion practices.
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Shame is a central theme in the experiences of conversion therapy survivors.
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Secrecy and silence are prevalent in the narratives of those affected.
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Luke's book aims to shed light on the ongoing reality of conversion therapy.
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The collection includes diverse stories from various queer identities.
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Despite legal bans, conversion therapy practices continue to exist underground. Conversion therapy is a complex issue with many personal stories.
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Shame can persist even after leaving high-control religious groups.
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Academia can provide a space for critical thinking and self-discovery.
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Understanding Christian theology is essential to grasping US politics.
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The influence of evangelicalism on contemporary issues is significant.
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Stories of conversion therapy survivors often highlight resilience and hope.
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Not all stories have neat, happy endings; discomfort is part of the journey.
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Community support is crucial for those recovering from conversion therapy.
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Future projects aim to amplify queer voices and experiences.
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Personal joy can be found in simple pleasures, like enjoying grapes.
Chapters
(02:27) Faith and Queer Identity Intertwined
(08:42) Understanding Conversion Therapy
(12:51) The Motivation Behind the Book
(15:30) Contrasting Academic and Personal Narratives
(17:49) Common Themes in Conversion Therapy Stories
(22:08) The Ongoing Reality of Conversion Therapy
(23:07) The Impact of Conversion Therapy
(25:37) Shame and Self-Reflection
(26:07) Academic Awakening and Relearning
(30:20) The Role of Christian Theology in History
(31:52) Understanding Evangelical Influence on Politics
(38:41) Finding Hope Beyond Conversion Therapy
(43:27) Future Projects and Community Engagement
Resources:
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Follow Lucas on social media:
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IG: @lukeslamdunkwilson
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Threads: @lukeslamdunkwilson
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X/Twitter: @wilson_fw
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-wilson-2a0753b1/
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TikTok: @lukeslamdunkwilson
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luke.wilson.96
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