God vs. Gay? by
Does the Bible prohibit homosexuality? No, says Bible scholar and activist Jay Michaelson. But not only that- Michaelson also shows that the vast majority of our shared religious traditions support the full equality and dignity of LGBT people. In this accessible, passionate, and provocative book, Michaelson argues for equality, not despite religion but because of it. From the Hardcover edition.
Sex, Marriage, and Family in the World Religions by
Spanning thousands of years, this new collection brings together writings and teachings about sex, marriage, and family from the Jewish, Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, and Confucian traditions. The volume includes traditional texts as well as contemporary materials showing how the religions have responded to the changing conditions and mores of modern life. It reveals the similarities and differences among the various religions and the development of ideas and teachings within each tradition. Selections shed light on each religion's views on a range of subjects, including sexuality and sexual pleasure, the meaning and purpose of marriage, the role of betrothal, the status of women, the place of romance, grounds for divorce, celibacy, and sexual deviance. Separate chapters devoted to each religion include introductions by leading scholars that contextualize the readings. The selections are drawn from a variety of genres including ritual, legal, theological, poetic, and mythic texts. The volume contains such diverse examples as the Zohar on conjugal manners, a contemporary Episcopalian liturgy for same-sex unions, Qur'anic passages on the equality of the sexes, the Ka-masu-tra on husbands, wives, and lovers, Buddhist writings on celibacy, and Confucian teachings on filial piety. Contributors include: Michael S. Berger, Emory University; Azizah Y. al-Hibri, Richmond School of Law; Alan Cole, Lewis and Clark College; Paul B. Courtright, Emory University; Patricia Buckley Ebrey, University of Washington; Raja M. El-Habti, Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights; Luke Timothy Johnson, Emory University; Mark D. Jordan, Emory University
Sex and the Soul by
First published in 2008, Donna Freitas's Sex and the Soul revealed what college students - at institutions large and small, public and private, secular, Catholic, and evangelical - really think about sex, dating, religion, and spirituality. Based on face-to-face interviews with students acrossthe country, Sex and the Soul achieved national acclaim, illuminating the as-yet-unexplored struggles of college students navigating the lines of faith and sexuality. Now, in this updated edition, Freitas reflects on the hundreds of conversations she has had with students since the book was firstpublished in an all-new afterword, and offers practical advice for young people struggling with issues of sex and spirituality and for the adults giving them guidance.
Sexual Ethics and Islam by
Whether exploring the thorny issues of wives' sexual duties, divorce, homosexuality, or sex outside marriage, discussions of sexual ethics and Islam often spark heated conflict rather than reasoned argument. In this updated edition of her ground- breaking work, feminist Muslim scholar Dr Kecia Ali expands upon her original analyses, widening their scope and enriching contemporary debate. Lucid and carefully constructed, this volume asks how one can determine what makes sex lawful and ethical in the eyes of God. Drawing on both revealed and interpretative Muslim texts, Ali critiques medieval and contemporary commentators alike to produce a balanced and comprehensive study of a subject both sensitive and urgent, making this an invaluable resource for students, scholars and interested readers. It does not attempt to have the final word on anything but rather aims to make it possible for Muslims to discuss more thoughtfully the crucial issues of our time.
Sexuality and the World's Religions by
Exploring one of the most controversial topics in contemporary theology, this scholarly volume reveals what the world's great faiths_East and West_preach about sexuality, with a special emphasis on American religion. What do the world's most important religious texts have to say about one of humanity's favorite activities? Editors David W. Machacek and Melissa M. Wilcox have brought together top scholars in the field of religious studies to ask and answer these critical questions. Carefully researched, elegantly written, and respectfully presented, Sexuality and the World's Religions explores the intersection of the spiritual and the carnal in Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Daoism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and African and Native American spiritual traditions. A separate section explores critical religious and sexual topics in American society, including the role of spirituality in gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities; the role of sex in the modern witchcraft community; and the ever thorny problem of religion and sexual liberty. Reconciling sexuality and spirituality in every human soul is one of religion's most important tasks. Students and other readers will find this timely and comprehensive volume of interest in exploring these issues. 12 chapters on sexuality in each of the major religious traditions of the world, including African indigenous traditions, Native American traditions, Judaism, Protestant Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Catholic and Orthodox Christianity as well as topics in contemporary American religion such as feminist, New Age, and neopagan spiritualities Chapters written by contributors who are recognized experts in each religion and in the topic of sexuality Artwork including photographs of recent events and illustrations of pertinent sacred texts An annotated bibliography of print and online resources
American hookup : the new culture of sex on campus by 
