Abstract
This study explores clergy perspectives on homosexuality and mental health. Interviews were conducted with 245 senior clergy of faith-based organizations in Hidalgo County, Texas. Analyses revealed that the less education the individual had, the more likely he or she viewed homosexuals as being more psychologically disturbed than heterosexuals. Clergy also expressed uncertainty in their views and actions regarding referral practices. A need for clergy education on views of homosexuality is documented. Suggestions are made for future research and education.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adamczyk, A., & Pitt, C. (2009). Shaping attitudes about homosexuality: The role of religion and cultural context. Social Science Research, 38, 338–351.
American Psychological Association. (2013). Sexual orientation, homosexuality and bisexuality. https://web.archive.org/web/20130808032050. http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/sexual-orientation.aspx (archived from the original on August 8, 2013). Retrieved August 10, 2013.
American Psychological Association. (2014). Resolution on appropriate affirmative responses to sexual orientation distress and change efforts. http://www.apa.org/about/policy/sexual-orientation.aspx. Retrieved August, 2014.
Ammerman, N. T. (2000). A quick question, Hartford Seminary, Hartford Institute for Religion Research. http://hirr.hartsem.edu/research/quick_question18.html. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
Ammerman, N. T. (2005). Pillars of faith: American congregations and their partners. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Anderson, J. (1997). The lesbian and gay liberation movement in the Presbyterian church (USA), 1974–1996. Journal of Homosexuality, 34, 37–65.
Beuttler, F. (1999). Making theology matter: Power, polity, and the theological debate over homosexual ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Review of Religious Research, 41, 239–261.
Boswell, J. (1980). Christianity, social tolerance, and homosexuality. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Bowland, S. E., Foster, K., & Vosler, A. N. (2013). Culturally competent and spiritually sensitive therapy with lesbian and gay Christians. Social Work, 58(4), 321–332.
Burgess, J. (1999). Framing the homosexuality debate theologically: Lessons from the Presbyterian Church, (USA). Review of Religious Research, 41, 262–274.
Cadge, W. (2002). Vital conflicts: The mainline denominations debate homosexuality. In R. Wuthnow & J. H. Evans (Eds.), The quiet hand of God: Faith based activism and the public role of mainline Protestantism. CA: University of California Press.
Cadge, W., Girouard, J., Olson, L., & Lylerohr, M. (2012). Uncertainty in clergy’s perspectives on homosexuality: A researcher’s note. Review of Religious Research, 54, 371–387.
Cadge, W., & Wildeman, C. (2008). Facilitators and advocates: How mainline protestant clergy respond to homosexuality. Sociological Perspectives, 51, 587–603.
Caldwell, C. H., Chatters, L. M., Billingsley, A., & Taylor, R. J. (1995). Church-based support programs for elderly Black adults: Congregational and clergy characteristics. In M. A. Kimble, S. H. McFadden, J. W. Ellor, & J. J. Seeber (Eds.), Handbook on religion, spirituality, and aging (pp. 306–324). MN: Augsburg Press.
Campbell, D., & Monson, J. (2008). The religion card: Gay marriage and the 2004 presidential election. Public Opinion Quarterly, 72, 399–419.
Dillon, M. (1999). Catholic identity: Balancing reason, faith, and power. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Djupe, P., & Gilbert, C. (2009). The political influence of churches. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Djupe, P., & Neiheisal, J. (2008). Deliberation on gay rights and homosexuality in churches. Polity, 40, 411–435.
Djupe, P., Olson, L., & Gilbert, C. (2006). Whether to adopt statements on homosexuality in two denominations: A research note. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 45(4), 609–621.
Fleischman, A., & Moyer, L. (2009). Competing social movements and local political culture: Voting on ballot propositions to ban same-sex marriages in the US States. Social Science Quarterly, 90, 134–149.
Kloehn, S. (1999). Protestants face schism on homosexuality. Chicago Tribune, May 3, section 1.
Lewis, G. (2005). Same-sex marriage and the 2004 presidential election. Political Science and Politics, 38, 195–199.
Lincoln, C. E., & Mamiya, L. H. (1990). The Black church in the African American experience. Durham: Duke University Press.
Maloney, H. (2001). Pastoral care and counseling in sexual diversity. New York: The Haworth Pastoral Press.
McNeill, J. J. (1976). The church and the homosexual. Kansas City: Sheed Andrews and McMeel Inc.
Moon, D. (2004). God, sex, and politics: Homosexuality and everyday theologies. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Olson, L., & Cadge, W. (2002). Talking about homosexuality: The views of mainline Protestant clergy. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 41(1), 153–167.
Olson, L., Cadge, W., & Harrison, J. (2006). Religion and public opinion about same-sex marriage. Social Science Quarterly, 87, 340–360.
Olson, L., Djupe, P., & Cadge, W. (2011). Mainline Protestantism and deliberation about homosexuality. In David Rayside & Clyde Wilcox (Eds.), Faith, politics, and sexual diversity in Canada and the United States. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press.
Pan American Health Organization. (2012). ‘Therapies’ to change sexual orientation lack medical justification and threaten health. http://www.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6803%3A2012-therapies-change-sexual-orientation-lack-medical-justification-threaten-health&catid=740%3Anews-press-releases&Itemid=1926&lang=en. Retrieved on 26, May 2012.
Peña, M., Hernandez, E., & Mauldin, M. (2005). Hispanic clergy and the task of ministry in urban America. Research reports, 3, Institute for Latino Studies, University of Notre Dame.
Peterson, L., & Donnenworth, G. (1998). Religion and declining support for traditional beliefs about gender roles and homosexual rights. Sociology of Religion, 59, 353–371.
Ramirez-Johnson, J., Park, J., Wilson, C., Pittman, S., & Diaz, H. (2013). “Deeply woven roots”: Health initiatives and community social services of faith-based organizations of the Hidalgo County, Texas. Journal of Religion and Health, 52(4), 1–17.
Schwartz, J. (2011). Investigating differences in public support for gay rights issues. Journal of Homosexuality, 57, 748–759.
Thomas, M. (2012). The interprofessional collaborative practice: Clergypersons and mental health professionals. Pastoral Psychology, 61, 99–112.
Turner, Y., & Stayton, W. (2014). The twenty-first century challenges to sexuality and religion. Journal of Religion and Health, 53, 483–497.
Wellman, J. (1999). The debate over homosexual orientation: Subcultural identity theory in American religious organizations. Review of Religious Research, 41, 184–206.
Whitehead, A. (2013). Religious organizations and homosexuality: The acceptance of gays and lesbians in American congregations. Review of Religious Research, 55, 297–317.
Williams, D. R., Griffith, E. H., Young, J. L., Collins, C., & Dodson, J. (1999). Structure and provision of services in Black Churches in New Haven, Connecticut. Cultural Diversity And Mental Health, 5(2), 118–133.
Wood, J. (2000). Where the spirit leads: The evolving views of United Methodists on homosexuality. Nashville: Abington Press.
Yang, A. (1997). Trends: Attitudes toward homosexuality. Public Opinion Quarterly, 61, 477–507.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Park, J., Perez, P.R. & Ramírez-Johnson, J. The Impact of Education on Views of Homosexuality in the Senior Clergy of Hidalgo County, Texas. J Relig Health 55, 778–786 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-015-0173-8
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-015-0173-8