God vs. Gay? The Religious Case for Equality
A passionate argument for LGBTQ equality within religious communities—“a book for our times and a book for the ages” (EDGE)
In this bestselling book from 2011, Jay Michaelson shows that the Bible does not prohibit same-sex intimacy, but supports the full equality and dignity of LGBTQ people, from the first flaw it finds in creation (“It is not good for a person to be alone”) to the way religious communities grow through reflection and conscience. Michaelson argues passionately for equality—not despite religion, but because of it.
With close readings of the Hebrew Bible and New Testament and a sympathetic, accessible, and ecumenical approach to religious faith, Michaelson shows that the handful of Biblical verses that appear to mention same-sex intimacy can be interpreted in many different ways — but that only affirming interpretations are consonant with the Bible’s fundamental values. Moreover, he argues that the recognition of same-sex families will strengthen, not threaten, the values religious people hold dear. God vs. Gay is the perfect book for anyone struggling with these questions, especially those with traditional Christian or Jewish beliefs.
Reviews
Village Voice (Michael Musto) “I always thought the Bible could be interpreted as a tool of good, not randomly translated to favor hate and oppression.”
New Voices (John “The Godblogger” Wofford)
Lambda Literary (Thom Nickels) Michaelson “writes with a graceful conviction, without the tinge of prejudice or a harsh axe to grind.”
Publisher’s Weekly “A salvo in the case for equality”
Library Journal (James DeRoche) “This title is very much worth reading and particularly useful for those interested in religion, civil rights, and social progress.”
Booklist (Ray Olson) “A literate, broadly informed argument”
Praise for God vs. Gay
“For too long, religious voices have been on only one side of the gay rights argument — to all of our detriment. Jay Michaelson is one of the leading LGBT religious voices in America right now, and I cannot think of a more timely book than this one. This is a book for anyone, gay or straight, who seeks to reconcile their faith with the lives of gay people — not by apologizing, compromising, or closeting one’s sexuality or one’s faith, but by celebrating God’s gifts of diversity and love. If you are such a person, it literally could change your life. It might just change the world.” – Rabbi Michael Lerner, chief editor, Tikkun, and author, The Left Hand of God
“Jay Michaelson charts a journey from rejection to full acceptance, from religious alienation to spiritually wholeness that will brings the reader closer to the Divine. It did for me and it will for anyone who has felt abandoned by their faith and rejected for who they are. This is a healing book that yearns to be read.” – Sharon Groves, PhD, Director, Human Rights Campaign Faith & Religion Program
“Michaelson looks at the Hebrew and Christian Bible with keen intellect, wit, and often surprising insights. He roots his arguments not in dry exegesis but in hard-won self-acceptance and passionate concern for others.”
Joe Perez, author of Soulfully Gay
Related Material
Should Gays and Lesbians Argue Scripture? A Dialogue January 18, 2011 in Religion Dispatches. A dialogue with Rev. Candace Chellew-Hodge, author of Bulletproof Faith.
Values Added: Sex and the Bible, August 02, 2010 on Bloggingheads.tv. Â Conversation with Professor David Carr on sexual ethics in the Bible.
Does the Bible Really Call Homosexuality an ‘Abomination’?, July 01, 2010 in Religion Dispatches Discussion of the Hebrew word toevah, often mistranslated “abomination.”
Ten Reasons Gay Rights is a Religious Issue, July 15, 2010Â in Tikkun. Why religious people should support equality because of religion, not despite it.
