CRPL Research Day: Christianity and Non-Normative Sexualities - A Critical Agenda
Friday 25th May 2018
Venue: Baines Wing Seminar Room 1.06, University of Leeds
Debates have raged within the Christian churches and other religious traditions over the morality of homosexuality, the recognition of same-sex unions and same-sex marriage, and the ordination of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people. Christians who oppose homosexuality see it as undermining traditional values and exposing the bankruptcy of secular humanism. Homosexuality has become for many the key issue distinguishing between orthodoxy and a liberalism that erodes classical doctrine and ethics. In contrast, Christian supporters of gay rights understand their position as consistent with a Christian ethic emphasising liberation and concern for the marginalised.
These debates, and the considerable media attention that they have attracted in a number of contexts have placed religious traditions/churches under scrutiny, bringing them into conflict with equalities legislation, the ideologies of western secular states and changing societal norms and perceptions. Whilst diverse geographical, cultural and political contexts produce highly differentiated expressions of these tensions and intersections, the global connections and networks through which ideas and actors circulate have created powerful new solidarities. In this dynamic and complex context, how does sexuality as a lens shed new light on the state, the law, faith, identity politics and global relational networks, both intimate and corporate? What do tensions around sexualities reveal about the ways in which social differences are constructed, become entrenched and can be dissolved though encounter? What do we learn about the realities of spiritual and embodied practice?
Programme
9.30-10: Coffee/tea
10-10.15: Welcome and Introduction (Dr Jo Sadgrove and Dr Caroline Starkey)
10.15 – 11.00 Dr Susannah Cornwall (University of Exeter): Two and Only Two? Polyamory as Sharpener to Accounts of Christian Marriage.
11.10-11.15 Refreshments
11.15 -12.00 Dr Silvia Falcetta (University of York): Religious Marriage of same-sex couples: recent evidence and future questions
12.00-12.45 Dr Caroline Starkey: The Lincoln Letters: A Case Study of Institutional Change.
12.45-1.00 Lunch
1.00 – 1.45 Dr Adriaan van Klinken (University of Leeds) Non-/Normativity: Navigating a Kenyan Christian Queer Ethics
1.45-2.00 Refreshments
2.00 – 3.30 Thematic Discussion led by Dr Jo Sadgrove (University of Leeds/USPG)
3.30 Summary and Close
To confirm attendance and any dietary requirements, please email CRPL Intern, Hollie Gowan on jh09hgg@leeds.ac.uk and 'CC' Caroline Starkey into the email on c.starkey@leeds.ac.uk
Image Credit: 'Out Loud Chorus' by Rosefirerising @Flickr