Deconstructing gay discourse in the Dutch Reformed Church

• Main Author: Van Loggerenberg, Maria Petronella
• Other Authors: Dreyer, J. S.
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: Pastoral therapy; Practical Theology; Dogma; Homophobia; Gay prejudice; Gay participation; Task team on homosexuality; Deconstructing gay discourse; Gay discourse; Dutch Reformed Church; Homosexuality; Gay; 259.086640968; Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk > Doctrines; Homosexuality > Religious aspects > Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk; Homophobia > Religious aspects > Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk; Gays > Pastoral counseling of
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10500/2283

This dissertation describes efforts to facilitate participation in deconstructing gay discourse in the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC). Gay discourse is challenged through the sharing of gay Christians' stories. While serving on the task team on homosexuality of the General Synod of the DRC a DVD on which gay people share their stories was produced and employed in order to facilitate participation. In reflecting on my research journey I have learnt that participation, prejudice, dogma and context as dimensions of gay discourse lie on a continuum. These dimensions, and the two extreme positions on the continuum: radical exclusion/antagonist and radical inclusion/protagonist, are represented in my model of deconstructing gay discourse. In the process of discourse change, various positions on the continuum become possible. Shifts happened in the task team and General Synod (DRC), resulting in a more gay inclusive decision on the position of gay people in the DRC. === Practical Theology === M. Th. (Practical Theology)