This book is part of a series including also Book II, How The Clergy Lied: A Journalist’s Academic Report on LGBTQ and Biblical Interpretation (click here to view Book II).

Book I, Why The Clergy Lied: A Journalist’s Academic Report on LGBTQ and Christianity is a comprehensive examination of LGBTQ Christian Church experience from the Crusades up to our current time.

Heavily substantiated with reference to hundreds of academic writings, Why The Clergy Lied: A Journalist’s Academic Report on LGBTQ+ and Christianity brings together critical commentary on the deceptions driving religious oppression of LGBTQ persons through a significant part of Christian Church history. Numerous books have been written about how churches have misinterpreted scripture to condemn LGBTQ+ people. No book that we know of previously has explored why this was done.

The book series provides solid arguments for inclusion of LGBTQ+ Christians in the world’s religious denominations. This book also examines the continuing exodus for those in the LGBTQ+ community and others who have no interest in being included in today’s mainstream churches.

Day introduces the unique concept that asking whether the Bible “condemns homosexuality” is the wrong question for the LGBTQ+ community. He adds, “Taken out of context, the Bible can be read to condemn almost anything.” The book explains why LGBTQ people are singled out for special attack by inequitable Bible proof texting and biased Biblical interpretation.
 

 
Promoted as “Like A Graduate Course in Christian Queerdom” and a “Handbook for Liberation,” the writing is an exposeˊ of the clandestine effort by church leaders to obscure the historical truths and controversial origins of the Bible. It reveals the conspiracy of silence and deception wielded by many through history to protect a patriarchal religious power paradigm. The research extensively covers even the most recent Russian and Dominionism efforts to attack the LGBTQ community.

A thoroughly new approach, this book written by a journalist takes a step back from the usual scriptural defensiveness to add a different religious and societal perspective. It provides a basis for both a deconstruction and reconstruction of Christian faith.

Beginning with the period of the Crusades, the author documents how the western Christian church was hijacked by a homophobic French king, how churches’ competition for converts drove theological manipulation, and how a quest for power and money has inspired oppression of LGBTQ+ persons through much of church history. The book series gives a comprehensive journalist’s report on how and why multitudes of members are abandoning the Christian Church, and asserts that only a more believable, equitable, and charitable view of Christian dogma may reverse the trend. It is one of few books in this category that features a chapter on predominately Black churches in the U.S.

Drawing concepts from historical study, feminism, liberation theology, and psychology, the book provides one of the most comprehensive reports to be found on the Christian church response to massive paradigm shifts in the understanding of gender and masculinity. Pointing to The Church’s patriarchal foundations, the writer suggests there is little reason to wonder why it would respond negatively to shifts in gender norms.

With more than 30 pages of citations, this series may be the most researched, user-friendly, candid and accessible collection of facts on Biblical interpretations, religious traditions, and history on this subject to date. From Catholics, to Pentecostals, United Methodists, Latter Day Saints, and predominately Black congregations, the writing examines in detail how many specific denominations today are responding to LGBTQ+ inclusion.

The series addresses both why and how the clergy lied to disadvantage LGBTQ people and what has happened to overcome those efforts.

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About the Author

D. L. Day is a former pastor and a retired investigative journalist. His combination of experience and formal training in ministry, theology, gender studies and journalism make him uniquely qualified to write on the topic of LGBTQ and religion.

An Accomplished reporter and writer, Day has won numerous awards for investigative journalism and conducted academic studies and writing on the impacts of fear messaging in politics.

He is a longtime member of the Society of Professional Journalists. Day is also author of Diamonds and Devils: A Preacher’s Kid’s Gay Tale.