Reclaiming the Spirit: Gay Men and Lesbians Come to Terms with Their Religion [Hardcover]

David Shallenberger (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Shallenberger (School for New Learning, DePaul Univ.) interviewed 26 gay men and lesbians in Chicago, and this book comprises 12 of those interviews. The participants discuss their family background, their early religious and spiritual experiences, and how identifying themselves as gay or lesbian impacted their spiritual life. Dan explains how his HIV diagnosis increased his spirituality, and Anne recounts her struggles to find a place to serve in a Christian church after coming out during seminary. Taoism, Wicca, Judaism, and Christianity are among the spiritual traditions discussed. This work is similar to the essay collection Wrestling with the Angel (LJ 4/1/95), but these are not professional writers, and some accounts are rambling and repetitious. However, at a time when many religious leaders are questioning whether gays and lesbians have any legitimate place in the religious community, it is enlightening to hear the intimate spiritual struggles of this group of people. For popular collections.?Debra Moore, Loyola Marymount Univ. Lib., Los Angeles
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: Rutgers University Press; 1 edition (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813524881
• ISBN-13: 978-0813524887
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,799,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and Inspiring Collection of Personal Stories, July 10, 1998

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[e-mail] (christianlesbians.com) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reclaiming the Spirit: Gay Men and Lesbians Come to Terms with Their Religion (Hardcover)

The author, David Shallenberger presents a wonderful look into the lives of a dozen gay men and lesbians who through individual journeys came to realize their faith and sexuality could be incorporated rather than exclusive of each other. The stories are very personal and written in a very easy style to read. Shallenberger offers brief comments in the midst of the stories that prepare the reader for what's to come and shows the similarities between everyone's experience. This is an excellent testimony of what God has done in the lives of His gay and lesbian children!