How would you prepare for a speech on sexuality and religion?

Question

I'm giving a speech at the Detroit local chapter of the organization Religious Tolerance, and the other speakers are probably much more prepared than I am (people tend to be barrack room lawyers about this kind of thing.) What books, reports, etc. would you suggest I look into for this?

BTW, I'm gay, so if you say the Bible, I might just lose it once and for all.

EDIT: Well, you see Bubba, people are already generally aware of the Bible's opinion on such things. Also, it says RELIGIOUS tolerance, not CHRISTIAN tolerance. I really hope you know the difference, but I'm not that optimistic.

FURTHER EDIT - Middleman, I'm trying to promote co-operation between the two, not offer cheap shots.

Answer 1

I so want to say "with a scotch on the rocks, beforehand" :)

Failing that try "Sins of Scripture" by John Shelby Spong.

Answer 2

I don't believe that you want to know how I would prepare. You want to know how YOU should prepare. I would examine my own opinions, then talk to other people--especially people whose opinions are radically different from my own--and I would try to make my speech make sense to people who don't necessarily share my opinions. Both sexuality and religion are subjects of opinion. I would know that if I am going to be stuck in only my own opinions, I may as well just be talking to myself.
You want to give a talk on religion in a predominantly Judeo-Christian part of the world, but any mention of the Bible will make you lose it? That's small-minded. You should believe what you believe. But if you would like for people to respect your own right to your own beliefs, you will get much further by showing respect for the beliefs of others. Saying that your way is the only right way is the same narrow-minded thinking that makes people say that YOU are wrong. You won't make a speech. You'll start a fight.
I would prepare myself by visiting a store that sells uniforms and equipment to police officers. Buy a kevlar vest, a riot helmet and shield, safety goggles, maybe a gas mask, shin and forearm pads, etc.
Then just stick to your own narrow opinions regarding sexuality and religion.

Answer 3

You are giving a speech on sexuality and religion at a local chapter of Religious Tolerance, but the Bible is "off limits" in regards to preparing this speech. Hmmmmmm....... Sounds to me like the chapter should change it's name to Sexual Permissiveness and you should be giving the speech at the local LBGT Alliance meeting. If you can't use the Bible when speaking about religious tolerance, then you defeat your very purpose. For if the Bible is not tolerated as a respected tome in this arena, then why are you even pretending to be tolerant at all?

Answer 4

I'd look into recent research on animal sexuality. Recent reports show that the majority of species are not monogamous, this indicates that monogamy is not a preferred survival mechanism. I'd also check into native American customs, many of them allowed cross dressing (I think). You might also want to look into the Jewish historian Josephus.

Sorry, it's a very broad subject and there are many ways you can tackle it, but good luck.

Answer 5

Use the population theme- homosexuality seems to be more acceptable when there's less need to recruit, and keep building membership. Religion is a group, an economic and social group.
Spirituality is a lto different, and so is actual morality.

Answer 6

You know-- I know this sounds weird, but here is what I would do. I would read the English version of "My Vision" by Hitler, then the GOP platform speach from 2004, closly followed by any # of evangelical speaches, then step back and let people draw their conclusions.

Answer 7

I have collected quotes from Desmond Tutu (see below). He has been a long time supporter of LGBT religious tolerance and acceptance. I would research his views on this issue. Also I included a quote from Harvey Milk (not sure if it would insult religious folks but it is a very good point), and quotes from Coletta Scott King (wife of Martin Luther King Jr.), another gay rights supporter.

"Jesus did not say, 'If I be lifted up I will draw some'." Jesus said, 'If I be lifted up I will draw all, all, all, all, all. Black, white, yellow, rich, poor, clever, not so clever, beautiful, not so beautiful. It's one of the most radical things. All, all, all, all, all, all, all, all. All belong. Gay, lesbian, so-called straight. All, all are meant to be held in this incredible embrace that will not let us go. All."

"Isn't it sad, that in a time when we face so many devastating problems – poverty, HIV/AIDS, war and conflict – that in our Communion we should be investing so much time and energy on disagreement about sexual orientation?" [The Communion, which] "used to be known for embodying the attribute of comprehensiveness, of inclusiveness, where we were meant to accommodate all and diverse views, saying we may differ in our theology but we belong together as sisters and brothers" now seems "hell-bent on excommunicating one another. God must look on and God must weep."

Since then Dr. Tutu has increased his criticism of conservative attitudes to homosexuality within his own church, equating homophobia with racism. Stating at a conference in Nairobi that he is "deeply disturbed that in the face of some of the most horrendous problems facing Africa, we concentrate on 'what do I do in bed with whom"

-ArchBishop Desmond Tutu



“More people have been slaughtered in the name of religion than for any other single reason.That, my friends, that is true perversion.”

-Harvey Milk



"Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood. This sets the stage for further repression and violence that spread all too easily to victimize the next minority group."

"Gay and lesbian people have families, and their families should have legal protection, whether by marriage or civil union. A constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages is a form of gay bashing and it would do nothing at all to protect traditional marriage."

"I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the rights of lesbian and gay people.... But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King Jr. said, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.' I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream, to make room at the table of brotherhood and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people."

Mrs. King said that her late husband Martin Luther King Jr. supported the quest for equality by gays and said that the 1963 March on Washington was organized by Bayard Rustin, an openly gay civil rights activist.

-Coletta Scott King (wife to Martin Luther King Jr.)