Conservative Christian Identity and Same-Sex Orientation

Like many conservative Christian faiths, Mormonism instills a strong sense of loyalty and deep religious feelings in its members. The church also teaches that homosexuality is abnormal and sinful. Thus, gay Mormons must learn to manage conflicting religious and sexual identities. This sociological study of the lives and struggles of gay members of the Mormon church is based on interviews with a large sample of gay Mormons and discussions with Mormon church leaders. The plight of gay Mormons is examined as part of a larger struggle over the place of homosexuality in American Christianity.

Autorentext

The Author: Rick Phillips is Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. He holds a Ph.D. in sociology from Rutgers University, and he has published widely on theoretical issues in the sociology of religion and the sociology of Mormonism.