Subject:  Seeking Jesus in Queer theory (LOVE) |
Author:
Lil bow mike
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Date Posted: 23:12:21 06/18/04 Fri
I hope everyone who discuss about Jesus or God within Love.
Love embraces everything especially GLBT.
Actually, i am a Christian and heteosexual person.
Therefore, i am not trying to help them but to define what is love?
"Love never fails" because of love we can discuss, because of love we can share our ideas, because of love we can believe Jesus as Messiah and go to heaven at the end.
In our traditional perspective, Queer theory is socially, historically, culturally, theologically represented as a homosexuality issue. The ambiguity of Queer theory lies in the fact that it is a term with a “flexible space for the expression of all aspects of non-, anti-, contra- straight cultural production and reception, and it is a term for representing an extensive collection of “impulses and cultural expressions, sexual and straight queerness. ” In this essay, I will try to define Queer theory, examine the ways in which Queer theory challenges the meaning of nature, identity, subjectivity, discourse and then turn to a discussion of my theological understanding of the truth by using Queer theory.
What is Queer theory? We live in a binary world, for instance: God/evil, black/white, Male/Female. Meaning is restricted to a binary system; the truth is constructed by binaristic logic and it equals to ideology; and yet something is missing outside the binary system. The language game is playing an important role in learning. We have already learned and been disciplined things in family, universities, and churches. However, language game ignores ‘another truth’ in our binary world, especially GLBT . The truth is eventually lost.
Moreover, the restriction of choice has already created in our binary world and mind, and so for rethinking the truth it should be redefined outside the binary system. Foucault said that we are living in a prison (panopticon) and everything is disciplined since we were born, for instance: school, university, parents, church and institution. ‘Truth’ and meaning is already controlled and discoursed by power and resistance. Therefore, Queer theory breaks the binary system and expands our range of choices. Not only does it show that gendered and sexual identities are socially and culturally constructed, but also Queer theory gives us a space for rethinking the ‘truth’ in our binary world. Therefore, what is the ‘other truth’ with which we can rethink and redefine the binary system?
First, where does Queer theory come from? Queer theory is derived from Postructuralism, which “most often embraces a rejection, or at least a critique, of liberal humanist assumptions and aspirations.” Jagose Annamarie pointed out that poststructuralism was the foundation stone of Queer theory and “is a product of specific cultural and theological pressures which increasingly structured debates about questions of lesbians and gay identity. ” Queer theory is similar to poststructuralism in that it shares its rejection of binary system. David Herkt (1996 in Queer theory, p.76) suggested that, in binary systems, truth is a “philosophically conservative construct”, for instance, hot/cold, God/evil, heterosexuality/homosexuality.
Queer theory allows us to think outside the binary system. It does this by helping us to rethink meanings and truth. Foucault proclaimed that there are “no objective and universal ‘truths’ and that the particular forms of knowledge become ‘naturalized’ in culturally and historically specific ways ”, because everything is currently and automatically learnt and experienced in a binary-truth system of power. Similarly, Jean-Francis Lyotard argued, “the truth is constructed through its conformity with universalizing accounts or grand narratives. Everything is subjective and socially governed in particular cultures at particular times... ” Therefore, Foucault argued that everything is grounded in “normalizing discourses” and constructed in our ‘binary truth’, especially Christian perspective, and that, in and through this discourse, homosexuality has been defined as an aberration from heterosexuality and as a medical and / or psychological problem . Furthermore, Queer theory not only represents GLBT, but rather it argues that everything is wholly constructed by power, resistance, discourse, language, culture and identity. Thus, Queer theory gives us an opportunity to develop another way of rethinking the meaning of truth outside the binary system, by rethinking the meaning of truth.
Moreover, Queer Theory allows us to break the binary system of identity formation. Identity is one of the most influential and naturalized of cultural categories. Postructualists argue that the subject is not a “unique, unified, rational, autonomous individual” that acts upon the world in the humanist sense. Humanists believe that ‘truth’ is equal to self-only. However, the postructuralists allowed the liberation of truth and argued that people should experience other things outside the binary meanings without disciplining knowledge and power. Therefore, Postructuralism only changed our way of thinking but not our body; and as a result our thought is not according to the world perspective. For that reason, our self-images and self-identities are as an instrument and it performs in everyday life..
Furthermore, Queer theory gives us a way to rethink and terminate our self-identity. The binary construction of identities is represented as an ideology in disciplined world due to the restriction. . Self-identity should be defined and rethought outside the binary system, and it should not be influenced by other elements such as cultural, social and historical. Therefore, Queer theory gives us an opportunity or another way of thinking to reproduce the meaning and position of identity outside the restriction of binary logic.
Another element of Queer theory is its consideration of the definition of subjectivity. Jacques Lacan indicated that subjectivity is something that must be experienced outside the binary categories, rather than as something which is always already constructed and “essential property” . People tend to blindly restrict themselves to the limitations of binary logic. This is because they believe the truth is already constructed by something else, in which the subjectivity represents the truth. However, the binary system does confuse the real meaning of truth because of the existing in another truth. As Foucault has argued, the difficult of seeking the truth is because of the powerful groups united the truth, and it is dominated by the binary category . Power is “exercised from innumerable points to no predetermined effect . Everything is constructed naturally and socially by the most powerful group. Therefore, in the binary system power is ideological and negative.
Finally, another binarism that Poststucturalism/Queer theories attempt to break is the binarism of discourse. Our knowledge and lifestyle is discoursed through schools, universities, family, churches, friend and so on. However, Foucault pointed out “the world of discourse is divided between accepted and excluded discourse, or divided between dominant and unaccepted discourse. ” As a result, discourse is embodied as discursive patterns because everyone understands knowledge and reality from a different perspective. recognize things throughout their knowledge
Postructuralism “aims to destabilize identity as a ground of politics and theory in order to open up alternative social and political possibilities. ” Put simply, the identity of Queers is grounded in the rejection of disciplining and normalizing; and in trying to create an alternative social and cultural self-identity. Queer self-identity is produced by the subject rather than being limited and normalized through the binary system . Therefore, postructuralism rejected everything in our previously accepted binarisms and proposed a way of finding the ‘truth’ without the binary meanings. Queer theory is a further step towards finding the truth in post-alternative way, and demolished the notion of truth altogether.
Certainly, Postructuralism is the opposition against the binary logic. It is the rejection of truth and deconstruction of all types of binarism. Therefore, Queer Theory does not focus exclusively on the sexual. Rather, it engages with a whole range of binarisms relating to truth, identity, language, subjectivity and so on that reaffirm heteronormativity. Queer Theory challenges the notion of truth in the light of the fact that it is never possible to have consensus on everything, especially sexuality.
The origin of Queer theory lies in Postructuralism, which aims to “embrace rejection, or at least a critique of modernist and liberal humanist assumptions and aspiration.” Queer theory is similar to what Jesus taught, Jesus broke the binary logic in our human knowledge and taught us what is the true meaning of Queer theory – ‘Love’. Through Queer theory, I will argue that Jesus breaks down three categories: the body; the bible; and sex(uality) (with reference to the birth of Jesus). Queer theory is not simply referring to the homosexuality but it is a certain theory for revealing the Love of God.
Firstly, Jesus does break down the dichotomy logic and the distinction between divine and human through his death (Romans 7:14-25 and 8:1-17). We understand that our bodies are biologically constructed and we use discourse to determine what is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. However such a perspective is restricted by the binary perspective. The scripture said, “but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of sin at work with my members What a wretched man I am!” (Roman 7:21-24) According to the Scripture (Roman 7:14-15), we realised what is right or wrong in our heart or spirit, and not through a binaristic law. Thus, we see that the death of Jesus broke the binary system between the divine and sin. Adam and Eve ate the red apple and sin came into our world. This act separated God and human beings. However, God sent his Son Jesus to break the binary system between the divine and sin. The Death of Jesus helped us understand the true meaning of Queer theory that is love; and it broke down the categories between the law of God and the law of sin. Therefore, we have ‘real freedom’ because Jesus has set us free from the dichotomy logic between divine and human since Jesus is a God and he is also a human.
Through the death of Jesus Christ we are set free from the binarism of sin/divine. Jesus was tempted in every way like us in the world. Yet, Jesus was without sin. What's more, the death of Jesus did allow us to rethink God’s mercy outside the binary logic . As Jesus said accordance to the bible, “I am the way and the truth and the life, ” no one can seek the truth without him outside or within the binary logic. Nevertheless, Jesus did overcome the binary world and give us a peaceful heart. There are some well-known bible passages above. Answer is always as simple as Christ is: “nothing is simply black and white but the answer is always simply 1+1=2. Love is always the answer for seeking truth in every situation. Queer theory is not a deconstruction but it is a theory for showing the Love of God. The death of Jesus had already showed a significant evidence for breaking the binary logic. If not, Jesus could only stay at heaven and destroy the world to create other one. Why not? Because of Love.
Not only did Jesus break down the category between the biological (sinful) and divine body, but also our body became spiritual. When Jesus died, The Holy Spirit will lead you to rethink God outside the binary logic. The bible said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. ” “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. ” Therefore, the death of Jesus broke the binary logic and The Holy Spirit is the way for seeking truth outside the binary logic.
Secondly, Jesus breaks down the binary logic between the revealed truth (sacred text) and general truth (nature). Logically, many of us will allow ourselves to use general truth to interpret the revealed truth. But Jesus, like Queer theory, also breaks down the binary system between truth versus the sacred text (the Bible). Chris Barker argues, “Christianity is said to be based on the transcendental truth of the word of God, and word of God is available only through the unstable signs of writing, that is, the Bible. ” The bible tells us, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. ” If this is so, then Christians should wholly accept the bible = truth and truth = bible in their binary-sense system. However Queer theory gives Christians an insightful mind to rethink what is mercy of God. Therefore, as a Christian, we should not blindly follow the word of the bible; but we should be flexible to understand what is the truth - according to the bible.
In reality, if Christians really believed all the bible passages, then here is a challenge. According to the bible, “Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonours his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonours her head – it is just as through her head were shaved. ” The women should keep silence in the gathering . Therefore, do all the women shut up in the entire public sphere? How do we understand these bible passages in our modern world? Let us look at how Jesus viewed the binary system of sacred text versus / and truth. The Law of Moses established that Jews cannot do anything in the Sabbath. However, Jesus still healed the shrivelled hand and asked, “which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” What was the reason for breaking the law? The answer is simple - Love. Like Jesus said, “you diligently study the Scripture because you think that by them you possess eternal life. There are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. ” Therefore, Jesus breaks this binary logic, because the Law of Love is the greatest Law.
Finally, the birth of Jesus itself broke the binary system that is perpetuated throughout sexual practice between men and women. Queer theory breaks the biological and sociological system in our heterosexual world. Similarly, the birth of Jesus Christ as a ‘miracle’ birth came through the Holy Spirit, not from sexual intercourse. (Isaiah 7:14) As Jesus said, people are from below; He is from above. People are of this world; He is not of this world . Therefore the birth of Jesus broke the binary system and denaturalised the birth process; due to whereby a baby must be produced through the sexual practice between male and female.
In our poststructural and postmodern world, Queer theory is a further step towards seeking the truth. Christians often blindly obey the truth according to the teaching of church, family or university. Moreover, they blindly obey the bible in their traditional understanding; therefore, they will not understand the ‘other truth’ in our binary world. As Christians, we can interpret the bible in an alternative way by using Queer theory. Personally, my approach is to assume for a minute that I am not a Christian, and to get involved in the Queer community and to think back to what the reaction of Jesus would have in that situation. Of course, following on from the argument above, the Love of Jesus would embrace them.
Every theory needs practice and action, and not only to write thousands words for defining the meaning. According to the heterosexual perspective, Queer theory is just an excuse for homosexuality. However, in the light of the biblical narrative (John 9:1-3), we understand that Queer theory is not an evil term; rather, it shows how the glory of God might be revealed through homosexuality, bisexuality and transsexuality. As mentioned in Exodus, God already has recognized the fear and suffering of GLBT people. Therefore, Jesus came down to rescue them – and everyone else - from the heaven. (Exodus 3:7-10) However, as the Scripture said in Leviticus (18:22) and 1 Corinthians (6: 9), both of them mentioned that we should condemned practicing homosexuals because of the sin and death penalty. If so, we are all deserved to die but the mercy and the death of Jesus did break down the binary system between divine and sin. What should we do next? Just believe . Therefore, Queer theory is an opportunity to seek the truth in our lives and offers salvation for all of us. Love is not religion or Christianity, but it is the most significant character trait of God, because ‘Love’ means you do not have to categorise what gender you are. God loves everyone because he creates you according to his image .
Furthermore, Queer theory gives us an opportunity for rethinking the definition of Love of God. Many Christians seem to fall into the binary logic between conservative and liberal groups. The binary system is an evil-thought, because it restricts our ‘real freedom’ and we restrict ourselves despite what the bible teaches. Many Christians or ministers would like to argue or set up a debate over what is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. In doing so, we easily forget what the meaning of Love is and love can build up everything . When Jesus began to preach, and he did align Himself with this or that religious group, such as Pharisees, Sadducees, etc. Instead, he preached the Kingdom of God based on love without joining or attending any religious groups at that time. Love is always the simple answer for breaking the binary logic (evil-thought) between liberal and conservative. Whatever the increasing of the homosexuality issues, we should love them and give them a chance as Christ did . Certainly, we should bring them to Christ as the Great Commission ordered.
From the last paragraph we can summarise that love embraces everything. There is a bible passage which I love it very much. In John (8:3-11), there was a woman caught by the teachers of the law and the Pharisees because of the adultery. According to the Law of Moses, they should stone such women. However, Jesus did not stone the woman in adultery and he answered, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Jesus, like Queer theory, provides us an insight perspective to love everyone without our Christian judgment. Similar to Jesus said, “you judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one .”
As a result, Queer theory gives us a way for rethinking everything especially the binary Christian perspective. As a method of deconstruction, Queer theory seeks to explore the blind spots in the binary system. Queer theory gives us a space for rhetorical strategies against the logic of binary argument . At the same time, Queer theory is another intellectual theory for rethinking our view of God. Even though many poststructuralists or postmodernists are all intelligent and knowledgeable people, they will not find the truth clearly, because they totally rejected everything including the creator- God. “Knowledge makes people suffering because you know too much. ” In contrast, Queer theory goes beyond poststructuralism and might be a final stage and destination to stop and imagine what is God’s mercy, God’s glory and God’s love. As shown in the argument above, Love and Jesus can be identified as the only ‘truth’ across different categories in every generation. Both Love and Jesus break down every binarism, and neither of these can be restricted by any binary logic or categories because they are the ‘truth’.
Finally, Queer theory possibly shifts the emphasis away from specific acts and identities to the numerous ways in which gender organizes and disorganizes society. Queer theory threatens every binarism; everything and everybody could be potentially identified as Queer. On the other hand, Queer theory could be thought in a positive way for rethinking the Love of God and the truth outside the binary logic.
In conclusion, Queer theory is not such a rejection or deconstruction from the human philosophy from identity, subjectivity and discourse. As a Christian, it is not simply given an insight perspective to rethink God with regard to the body, the bible, and the birth and the death of Jesus. Queer theory could be the answer we have been looking for: that is Love. The Love of Jesus can break down everything because Love never fails .
References:
Nikki Sullivan (2003), A critical introduction to queer theory: Edinburgh University Press,
Jagose, Annamarie (1996), Queer theory, Melbourne University Press,
Mclntosh, Mary (1993), ‘Queer theory and The War of the Sexes’ in Activating Theory, London, Lawence & Wishart
Robert Reynolds (2002), From camp to queer : re-making the Australian homosexual:: Melbourne University Press
Christopher Keane, What some of you were: stories about Christians and homosexuality
Lyotard, Jean-Francis, Postmodern condition : a report on knowledge, ManChester University Press
Warner, Michael (1993), Fear of A Queer Planet: Queer Politics and Social Theory, Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
Barker, Chris (2003) Cultural studies: theory and practice, London: SAGE
Foucault, Michel (1981), The History of Sexuality, vol.1, An Introduction [trans. Robert Hurley, Harmondsworth: Penguin
Foucault, Michel (1988), Power and Sex, Politics, Philosophy, Culture: Interviews and Other Writings, 1977-84. David J. Parent, ed. Lawrence D. Kritzman, New York: Routledge,
http://www.theory.org.uk
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