Queer Theology Queer Theology / Brian G. Murphy & Shannon T.L. Kearns

It’s no secret that we’re really big fans of spiritual practice. Especially one that really makes you feel connected to your queer spirituality! In this episode, we discuss the difference between spiritual practices and habits. We explore how spiritual practices can connect us to ourselves, something bigger than us, and other people. We share personal stories and examples of how spiritual practices have enriched our own lives. It is so important to have intentionality and repetition in spiritual practices, so we offer suggestions for infusing queerness into existing practices. And if you are ready to go even deeper, join our Queerness Everyday Challenge!
 
Takeaways

Spiritual practices connect us to ourselves, something bigger than us, and other people.
Habits and routines are different from spiritual practices because they may not serve the same purposes.
Spiritual practices can be infused with queerness and can be personalized to fit our individual needs and experiences.
Repetition and intentionality are key in developing meaningful and transformative spiritual practices.
The Queerness Every Day Challenge is a great opportunity to explore and deepen our spiritual practices.

 
Chapters
(0:25) Difference Between Spiritual Practices and Habits
(8:18) The Power of Repetition and Intentionality
(12:45) Personal Stories of Meaningful Spiritual Practices
(26:16) Join the Queerness Every Day Challenge
 
Resources:

Join the Queerness Everyday Challenge at queertheology.com/challenge
Join the  Sanctuary Collective Community

 
If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology.
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT


The post The 5 Minutes a Day That Will Change Your Life appeared first on Queer Theology.

We discuss the connection between queerness and spirituality in this episode… Yes- that is what we’re ALWAYS trying to get at! Here we share our personal experiences of feeling disconnected from queerness and spirituality in the past. Finding ways to integrate them into our everyday lives has been a journey and we’ve got some ways you can start to feel more connected to your queerness. 
 
Takeaways

Queerness and spirituality can be integrated and connected in meaningful ways.
Taking intentional, embodied, communal, small and sustainable, and regular actions can deepen the connection between queerness and spirituality.
The Queerness Every Day Challenge offers simple actions to help participants integrate queerness and spirituality.
The challenge provides a supportive community and resources to explore the intersections of queerness and spirituality.

 
Chapters
(00:00) Feeling Disconnected from Queerness
(05:43) Integration of Queerness and Spirituality
(11:33) Taking Action to Connect Queerness and Spirituality
(19:16) Building Community and Taking Small, Sustainable, and Regular Actions
 
Resources:

Join the Queerness Everyday Challenge at queertheology.com/challenge
Join the  Sanctuary Collective Community

 
If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology.
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT


The post How to Feel More Connected to Queerness Every Day appeared first on Queer Theology.

We are so excited to bring you a special interview on the pod this week! Not only did we get to preview the new season of “We’re Here,” but we got to interview one of the stars of the show, Latrice Royale. Latrice discusses the importance of the show and how it is shedding light on the struggles of the queer community as well as dispelling misinformation about drag. She also shares her journey of finding her purpose through drag and how it has allowed her to impact others’ lives. Our conversation explores the tension and pushback faced by the drag queens in Oklahoma and the importance of standing up for the community. Latrice emphasizes the need for people to step out of their bubbles, learn from one another, and be allies by voting for change. 
 
Takeaways

‘We’re Here’ sheds light on the struggles of the queer community and dispels misinformation about drag.
Drag can be a sacred calling and a ministry that impacts and improves lives.
Religious teachings on homosexuality can create conflicts for queer individuals.
Inclusive churches provide a welcoming and affirming space for queer people.
Drag queens can inspire and motivate change in communities.
Allies need to step up and support the queer community by voting for change.

 
Chapters
(1:39) Introducing our wonderful guest, Latrice Royale
(3:01) Conversation on queerness, spirituality, and rural America
(15:16) Latrice discusses drag as a sacred calling
(19:39) Exploration of religious experiences in “We’re Here” and their religious background
(22:23) Discussion on rediscovering faith during challenging times
(25:43) Latrice reflects on their experiences in an inclusive church
 
Resources:

The new season of “We’re Here” is out on 
Join the course From Affirmation to Liberation at queertheology.com/class 
Join the  Sanctuary Collective Community

If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology.
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT


The post We’re Here Interview with Latrice Royale appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this conversation we explore the topic of prayer from our different perspectives as an atheist and an ordained Catholic priest. We discuss what prayer is and why people pray, as well as the need for alternatives to prayer. We also got 13 alternatives to prayer that you can put into your spiritual practice today (hint- you might already be doing some of them!). The important thing here is the intentionality. And sometimes experimentation in finding a prayer practice that works for each individual can be a really rewarding way to deepen your faith and prayer practice. 
 
Takeaways

Prayer is a way to connect with something bigger than ourselves and can take many forms.
There are various reasons why someone might need or want alternatives to prayer, such as feeling disconnected from a previous prayer tradition or feeling like their current prayer practice has become stale.
Experimenting with different prayer alternatives can help individuals find a practice that resonates with them and brings them a sense of connection and peace.
Intentionality and consistency are key in developing a prayer practice, and it’s important to give new practices time to develop and evolve.
Changing up prayer practices can lead to new insights and experiences, and it’s beneficial to try different approaches to prayer, even if you already have a prayer practice that works for you.

 
Chapters
(09:54) Reasons for Seeking Alternatives to Prayer
(35:38) Experimenting with Prayer Practices
 
Resources:

Rituals for Resistance & Resilience on demand workshop
Join Spiritual Study Hall to get access to all QueerTheology resources
Join the  Sanctuary Collective Community

If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology.
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT


The post 13 Alternatives to Prayer appeared first on Queer Theology.

Y’all know we love asking questions. So in this episode we’re gonna to get into the importance of asking questions to deepen one’s faith. That might seem counterintuitive to what we’ve been taught because so much of conservative religious upbringing is to NOT ask questions. We explain how asking questions is crucial because it helps individuals clarify what is important to them and what they want to achieve. We also talk about one of our favorite practices (journaling!) and we have 7 questions you can ask yourself right now to start deepening your faith.
 
Takeaways

Asking questions is an important part of deepening one’s faith and clarifying what is important to them.
Writing down or speaking out loud one’s thoughts and beliefs can help in gaining clarity and making commitments.
Journaling is a powerful tool for self-reflection and tracking personal growth.
The seven questions discussed in the episode can be used to deepen one’s faith and explore different aspects of spirituality.Feeling close to God or the sacred is a personal and unique experience, and it’s important to reflect on specific moments, details, and emotions associated with those experiences.
Understanding what closeness means to you and what aspects of those experiences were meaningful can help guide your spiritual journey and bring depth to your faith life.
Curiosity plays a crucial role in deepening your religious tradition. Being curious about theological tenets, practices, or learning more about specific aspects can keep you engaged and open to growth.
Identifying what you want more of in your faith life requires specificity and clarity. Breaking down your desires into actionable steps and defining when and how you will engage in those practices is essential.
Recognizing and addressing barriers that have kept you from deepening your faith is crucial. This may involve external factors, such as lack of access or community, as well as internal obstacles, such as fear or uncertainty.
Taking one specific action step at a time can move you closer to your spiritual goals. Scheduling and planning these steps, even in the face of resistance or uncertainty, increases the likelihood of follow-through.
Being part of a supportive community and seeking accountability can provide encouragement and guidance in your spiritual journe

 
Chapters
(04:21) The Power of Journaling for Self-Reflection
(08:50) Question: When Have You Felt Closest to God?
(15:13) Question: Moments of Wanting to Deepen Your Faith
(20:51) Question: Continuing the Journey of Deepening Your Faith
(25:24) Reflecting on Moments of Closeness to God
(32:05) Cultivating Curiosity in Religious Traditions
(35:06) Identifying Desires for a Deeper Faith Life
(37:49) The Value of Community and Accountability in Spiritual Growth
 
Resources:

Join Spiritual Study Hall to get access to all QueerTheology resources
Join the  Sanctuary Collective Community

If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology.
 
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT


The post 7 Questions to Deepen Your Faith appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode, we get into our ever evolving relationship with the Bible. We reflect on our early experiences with the Bible as children, including the simplified and often traumatizing stories we were taught. As we grew older, both of us felt pressure to read the Bible regularly and experienced a ton of guilt when we didn’t meet those expectations. Brian shares how his discovery of his queerness led him to search for inclusion in the Bible, while Shannon explores his journey of reading the Bible academically and finding new meaning through artistic interpretation. We also discuss the importance of understanding the historical and cultural context of the Bible and the importance of knowing history to help make sense of faith.
 
Takeaways

Early experiences with the Bible can be simplified and traumatizing, leading to a need for reevaluation and reinterpretation.
Feeling guilty for not reading the Bible regularly is common, but it’s important to find a personal approach that feels authentic.
Exploring the Bible academically and artistically can provide new perspectives and meaning.
Understanding the historical and cultural context of the Bible is crucial for interpretation and avoiding misinterpretation. Having a grounding library of foundational documents provides a point of reference and a source of inspiration.
Knowing our history helps us understand how people have made sense of faith and navigate big questions.
Living with tensions and making decisions can be challenging, but community support and communal discernment can provide guidance.
Engaging in discussions and learning from diverse perspectives can expand our minds and lead to personal growth.

 
Chapters
(00:27) Early relationship with the Bible  
(04:07) Searching for inclusion  
(05:32) Viewing the Bible as a creative story  
(06:02) Source material for creative works  
(06:30) Reading the Bible from a Jewish perspective  
(07:00) Different interpretations of the Bible  
(09:21) Navigating Christian and Jewish perspectives  
(10:48) Transitioning and reimagining the Bible  
(13:23) Memorizing Bible verses and devotionals  
(14:49) Engaging with the Bible academically  
(16:14) Finding new meaning through artistic interpretation  
(24:27) The power of texts and foundational documents  
(30:07) Knowing history and making sense of faith  
(34:20) Living with tensions and making decisions  
(44:10) The importance of community and communal discernment
 
Resources:

Learn more and sign up for the workshop, From Affirmation to Liberation at queertheology.com/class 
Join the  Sanctuary Collective Community

If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology.
 
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT


The post The Good, The Bad, The Ugly of The Bible appeared first on Queer Theology.