Spiritual Health

If I’m Not Religious, Can I Still Be Spiritual?

Many cultures, including indigenous peoples around the world, see no separation between the sacred and the secular, or the spiritual and non-spiritual. You may consider exploring the beliefs or worldviews of a culture that does not have this artificial separation or division of various aspects of life.

Some GLBTT* people have examined the connection between their sexuality and spirituality, calling themselves fae, faeries, and radical faeries, among other names. You might find it interesting to explore the history of some of these philosophies and communities.

It is possible for someone to be religious, or spiritual, or both. Many GLBTT* people do not identify with any religion, either because they have always been atheist or agnostic, or because they have been rejected at some point by a religious community. If you have rejected religion but still have an interest in spirituality, there are a few resources intended to help you begin your exploration of GLBTT*-positive spirituality.

Being GLBTT* is Against My Religion

It seems that being GLBTT* is against quite a few religions, and if this happens to be true for you, know that you are not alone. There are many GLBTT* people who have navigated a space for themselves between religion or spirituality and sexuality, although it can be a difficult process, and will take time.

Kate Bornstein is a well-known transgender activist and writer who came from a religious background herself. Kate recommends searching for a new God or Goddess if believing in the one you currently have is going to make your life miserable enough that you don’t want to go on living it. She has also created a wonderful “Get Out of Hell Free” card, offering to do time in hell for anyone who is sent there for being themselves without being mean. You can find it in her book Hello Cruel World, or download it from this site:

http://web.mac.com/katebornstein/iWeb/Hello_Cruel_World/Goodies.html

Finding a new religion or ultimate being is one approach of merging your spirituality with your sexuality. Another way might be to re-examine your religion. There are mystics and academics and other people who have been challenging status-quo and established religions since they first began, and you can join those traditions and people.

Just because you’ve learned something to be the only and absolute truth doesn’t mean it was always that way or that it will always be that way. Religious texts are interpretations made by humans, and therefore full of errors and biases. You might find it helpful to connect with and consider the interpretations of people who are GLBTT* who still identify with your religion. You might also find that there is a group of people who respect the same core values of your religion, but do not condemn GLBTT* people or their gender and sexual preferences.