Customer Reviews

Gay Perspective: Things Our Homosexuality Tells Us About the Nature of God and the Universe

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I don't tend to read a lot of non-fiction, and that which I do read I choose carefully. I am thankful I chose to read GAY PERSPECTIVE. This is a book full of hope and heart, and every person-gay or straight-would benefit from reading it. Toby Johnson, the author of the previous groundbreaking book, GAY SPIRITUALITY, takes his points from that earlier book one step further and delineates a careful examination of all the ways that an "outsider" perspective - such as a non-heterosexual point of view - allows for a unique and life-giving take on true spirituality, as opposed to old-time religion of superstition, fear, and exclusion. He includes chapters on how our homosexuality tells us things about: Life, Sex, Religion, the Church, God, and the World, and in so doing, weaves together a wonderful narrative about all the ways gay people can help society transcend ignorance and embrace true love and compassion.

In thoughtful, clear language, Johnson presents positive affirmation that the spiritual consciousness that gay people-indeed, all GLBTQ people-are now expressing is a vital and evolutionary step forward for everyone on the planet. No longer need we be trapped in meaningless, dogmatic, fear-based, or male-dominated religious practices. He writes, "It is not a negative, fatalistic, or materialistic secularism our homosexuality reveals to us, but a universe full of mystery, wonder, beauty, and magic" (p. 203). We "outsiders" have the opportunity to rise above that and lead the way for all people to a more loving, accepting, and spiritually fulfilling place.

Early on, Johnson says that gay men may find the book to be more about them than lesbians will. He indicates that since he is writing from the experience of a gay man, he doesn't assume to speak for women; however, as a lesbian reading this book, I found that the author accorded respect toward all women and advocated for a holistic and feminist view of relationships for all.

Author, psychotherapist, activist, and community organizer Toby Johnson is also a religious scholar and former Catholic monk. His experience and insight shine in this fantastic new book. I highly recommend it to anyone-gay or otherwise. ~Lori L. Lake, author of Different Dress, Stepping Out, Gun Shy, Under The Gun, and Ricochet In Time, and reviewer for Midwest Book Review, The Independent Gay Writer, The Gay Read, and Just About Write.

Within today's world of gay assimilationist theory, Toby Johnson offers some radical thoughts to the mix. He asserts that, due to our outsider status within the current culture, we are more aware of the stereotypes and rigid gender lines that everyone else takes for granted, putting us in a unique position to reform the world. Surrounded by books proclaiming "We're no different from you", Mr. Johnson asserts that yes in fact gay people are different and in doing so makes some very logical assertions towards that point.

He speaks from an unapologetic bias towards "New Age" thought, spirituality, and politics, which may make some prejudge everything he has to say and can weigh down some otherwise very solid chapters. However, tossing the book aside because of such points would be a mistake because there are worthwhile observations in this book which should be given a fair assessment on their own. You may not agree with everything he says, a point he flat out concedes in the beginning, but I would recommend you give this book a shot.

It is obvious that LesBiGay and Trans-people have a take on life that is vastly different from those held by the straight majority. In Gay Perspective, author Toby Johnson (Gay Spirituality) shows us how our status as sexual and gender outsiders allows us to think outside the box. Being gay gives us a perspective on human experience that is different from that of the great majority of people. There must be something special and useful to humanity about this perspective, since a disproportionate number of important artists, poets, religious leaders, and spiritual guides in the past were what today wed call gay.

Gay perspective, Johnson tells us, is based on three specific aspects of modern homosexual experience: First, we are outsiders and strangers. This status bequeaths  and sometimes forces on us  an ability to view life from a critical perspective. Second, most of us tend to embody both masculine and feminine viewpoints and characteristics . Hence were able to see both sides of issues and to be both strong and sensitive, both creative and receptive. Finally, by transgressing normal sexual and gender roles and by transcending the polarities of male and female, we see beyond the entire array of polarities humanity projects onto nature. Our existence or experience as queers demonstrates certain facts about nature; causes us to discover certain truth about life and human psychology; and teaches us practical lessons about contemporary problems and issues. In Gay Perspective, Johnson shows us what our gay perspective tells us about life, sex, religion, the Church, God and the world.

Traditional Judaism, Christianity and Islam condemn all who are different, including GLBT people, as threats to all thats normal. Nowadays, some would argue that we are just like everyone else, with one minor difference.

In Gay Perspective, Toby Johnson admits our differences, glories in them, and show how our differences allow us to make unique contributions to our society and to the planet. While most people are trapped in a cycle of birth, reproduction, parenting, and death we who are gay are opting out of time and are witnesses to life lived in the present moment. Thus there is a lot that others can learn from us, in times like these.

Jesse Monteagudo in the Winter 2003 issue of White Crane Journal

With a clear vision, Toby Johnson explores how being homosexual, and thus non-standard, allows us queers a unique view on religion, society, spirituality, sexuality, and gender roles. Embracing a variety of faiths and a range of progressive and feminist doctrines, he shapes a brave redefinition of how to live as gay and lesbian individuals, fully in tune with the concepts of God's whole nature. "Gay Perspective" is a thought-provoking volume, and is intended as such, to create a discourse for us to express in our relationship with the non-gay world in which we live. I found it quite inspiring, especially in its reaffirmation of simple truths that are easily forgotten in our modern world, and I heartily recommend it to anyone willing to imagine the world as a tapestry of beauty.

"Gay Perspective" is a compelling, poetic take on the rising trend in queer theology. Toby Johnson, who edits the White Crane Journal for gay men Two Flutes Playing: A Spiritual Journeybook for Gay Men (White Crane Spirituality), gives his own unique perspective on spirituality for those in the LGBT community, particularly gay men. His meditation on male beauty- for me as a straight woman- was particularly understandable. He sees male handsomeness as a reflection of the Divine. "Gay Perspective" is quite critical of the Abrahamic religions-Judaism, Christianity, and yes, Islam- in their treatment of LGBT people. He doesn't go politically correct and bash Christians while leaving Islam alone. A Jihad for Love is a powerful documentary on the plight of Muslim lesbians and gays.

"Gay Perspective" is poetic in its take on beauty, Nature, love, sexuality, and the Divine. Johnson is more of a poet than a theologian. Unfortunately, Johnson's view on sexuality and the body means being lax on such subjects as porn, promiscuity, incest, and priests "smitten" with the beauty of teenaged boys. His defense of these practices gives him 4 stars instead of 5. Johnson seems quite numb to the real devastation that these practices cause.

"Gay Perspective" is valuable reading for those who want to better understand queer theology.

Johnson ultimately manages to paint as one-dimensional of a portrait of gays and lesbians as the "Family Values" types who are critical of the "gay lifestyle". Apparently we're "remarkably generous, cooperative, supportive, friendly, harmonious, and peaceful" (page x). We eschew the dogmatic, patriarchal religions of the West and the competitive nature of Western society. We love peace, tolerance, and female movie stars. Oh, please.

Sure, I'd like to say that I am generous, cooperative, etc., but the fact is that I am just as prone to the opposite of all these traits as most straight people. And I thrive on competition. Although Johnson himself is gay, his sugar-coated, nicey-nice descriptions of gays and the unique "perspective" we're supposed to have on sex, religion and God looks like the 21st century version of the Noble Savage myth.

His description of the Body Electric workshops was pretty cool, but you may as well just do a Google search for Body Electric.

I think a half-serious scholar of the Bible would have some critical things to say of his portrayal of Jesus as some sort of Eastern sage, but I guess the "gay perspective" doesn't include concern for the historical context of ancient writings.

The best point he came up with was that as the majority of gays do not have children of their own, they have more time to really develop their own character and live their own lives to the fullest, and in a way they can care for everybody else's children. It's a nice thought, but it can also just as easily apply to straight people who choose not to have or adopt children.
I signed this book out of a library and wasted an evening reading it, but I'm glad I did, because it confirmed for me that the "gay spirituality" movement is nothing that I want to waste my time on. Unless it gives me an excuse to have really great tantric sex.