Constructions of Homosexuality and Christian Religion in Contemporary Public Discourse in the Netherlands

Abstract

This thesis is about constructions of homosexuality and religion in contemporary public discourse in the Netherlands. While it elaborates on studies about homonationalist, anti-Islamic discourses in the Netherlands, it focuses on the significant amount of unexplored source material from contemporary Dutch public discourses about homosexuality in which Christianity plays a discursive role. More specifically, it analyses secular discourses about (Christian) religion and Christian discourses in the presence of secular audiences. The Introduction offers an overview of the theoretical framework, focusing on the work of two philosophers of culture (Charles Taylor and Gabriël van den Brink) and that of scholars that engage in the critical study of religion, gender and sexuality (in particular Janet Jakobsen and Ann Pellegrini). It also sets this study’s temporal limits, defines the types of source material, describes the method of collecting these sources and explains the research methodology of critical discourse analysis. This thesis consists of four articles. The first analyses Dutch responses to speeches and messages by Pope Benedict XVI that were perceived to be about homosexuality. The second concerns debates about civil marriage registrars with conscientious objections against conducting same-sex wedding ceremonies (so-called weigerambtenaren). The third analyses public discourses by and on the Dutch Evangelical health care organisation Different, which has repeatedly been accused of offering reparative therapy. The fourth focuses on the way sexual and religious identities are more broadly conceptualised in Dutch public discourses about homosexuality. The Conclusion outlines the rhetorical success of secular discourses in favour of homosexuality or sexual diversity while pointing to the relative absence of religious institutions in public discourse. It describes the secular panic that is often noticed in responses to news about religion and homosexuality. It then discusses the differences and similarities between secular advocates and Christian critics of sexual and gender diversity, and between the respective attitudes of Muslims and (biblically orthodox) Christians towards homosexuality. It troubles the ideal-typical distinction between secular advocates and Christian critics by discussing several secular re-appropriations of the Christian tradition. Also, it points to the negative effects of the strong focus on ‘religion’ as the alleged main or even only obstacle towards the positive evaluation of sexual freedom and diversity. The Conclusion proceeds by highlighting the strong emphasis in debates about religion and homosexuality on finding juridical solutions for what is perceived as a social problem. Moreover, while equal treatment and freedom of opinion are evaluated positively by different secular groups across the political spectrum, many secular advocates of sexual and gender diversity are critical of the freedom of religion. This relates to the tension between being a marginalised minority and being recognised as such, a tension faced by LGBT persons because of the success of the LGBT movement and because (conservative) Christians are emphasising their marginalisation. The Conclusion ends by summarising how attitudes towards homosexuality have become an identity marker for certain secular Dutch citizens and certain biblically orthodox Christians and by making some queer theological suggestions for a more constructive discussion of issues addressed in this thesis.