Re-visioning resurrection: St. Paul and Swedenborg

St. Paul's spiritual body is envisaged as imaginal body, the wordimaginal standing for the intermediate realm of beings and events in Neoplatonism and Sufism. Swedenborg's world of spirits and angels conforms to this view and so is seen as contributing to a richer understanding of St. Paul in the sense of a good docetism. Crucial in this kind of revisioning the mystery of resurrection is the creative power of visionary imagination, which, in turn, is inseparable from the reality of the soul as thesitus of visionary events.     

A Delicate Knowledge: Epistemology, Homosexuality, and St. John of the Cross

In light of the intractable disagreements, both theological and theoretical, which emerge at every turn in contemporary discussions of homosexuality and religion, this essay advances an epistemological approach to the discussion. The advantage of an epistemological approach is that it sidesteps many of the narrow denominational discussions, making almost no reference to Romans, to natural law, or to a sexual ethic based on love and mutuality. By drawing upon analytic philosophy of religion (Alvin Plantinga and Richard Swinburne specifically), I hope to show how a failure explicitly to face epistemological challenges has undermined pro-gay claims and arguments and contributed to religious confusion. Constructively, the work of St. John the Cross helpfully offers a powerful epistemological vision that importantly supplements the analytic projects of Plantinga and Swinburne, thereby helping us comprehend more fully what is implied and required in justified pro-gay religious conviction.     

Homosexuality, ethics and identity synthesis.

Implicit metaphysical assumptions concerning the nature of sexual orientation are reflected in the language used to frame ethical debates concerning "reorientation" therapies. An alternative metaphysical construal is presented concerning sexual orientation and sexual identity development and synthesis. This alternative construal allows for humility concerning what we know and do not know about sexual orientation, underscores the client's self-determination and autonomy, and demonstrates regard for personal and religious valuative frameworks. Rather than focusing on therapies aimed specifically at sexual reorientation, clinicians would do well to provide clients with informed consent and to facilitate identity development and synthesis in keeping with their clients' requests for professional services.     

The Center for Aging,Religion and Spirituality at Luther Seminary,St. Paul,Minnesota

People's religiosity occupies a central place in the sociology of religion. This study employs indepth life histories to describe the subjective lives and religiosity of fifty Czech-American elderly in Iowa. The life history method effectively taps the religiosity of these elderly through their expressed concerns in life. Results indicate ecumenism and humanism among these elderly. This meaning system coincides with their liberal religious heritage. Thus, the cultural and religious family heritage of Czech-American elderly helps to mold their present world view. Findings also suggest that rural Czech-American elderly, who are either exclusively mainline church-goers or freethinkers, find ultimate meaning through ecumenism and humanism rather than through sectarianism.     

正确认识同性恋——《中国医学伦理学辞典》条目选载之四

同性恋是一个长期争论不休的问题,但随着科学的进步,越来越多的人已经接受同性恋不是犯罪、精神病的观点,也不再把它看作是道德问题。而我国对同性恋看法的转变还刚刚开始。     

Homosexuality and psychoanalytic hypocrisy

The author criticizes the common practice in the national and international psychoanalytic associations of denying homosexual applicants admission to training even though all parties know full well that there are more than a few homosexual psychoanalysts within their ranks, some of whom enjoy the high professional esteem of their colleagues. The author refers to his earlier article "Homosexuality and psychoanalysis" (Psyche, 1985, 39, 750-759).     

History, Homosexuality and God

An adapted version of a paper given in Oxford at the 1986 conference of Friend. Friend is a national organisation dedicated to the counselling and befriending of homosexuals.