This study explores the origins and development of one of America's largest alternative religions, contemporary Paganism, while placing emphasis on the roles of homosexual and heterosexual males within a movement that is dominated by women and focused on a Goddess, rather than a God. This gendered examination demonstrates contemporary Paganism's roots in the counterculture movement of the 1960s, and investigates how rituals have changed for boys within the movement, as well as ritual modification among homosexual males. This study reveals a reverse sexism among contemporary Pagan women toward males within the community and how this group is still working toward understanding and acceptance between the sexes. With an ever growing presence and over 300, 000 contemporary Pagans in the United States to date, this religious group adds to the changing contours of American religion.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306 / Department of History

This study explores how gay Christian men in the pentecostal/charismatic movement reinterpret their spirituality as a reaction to the discourse about homosexuality in this movement. The spiritual experience of gay men is contextualized within the particular emphasis on individual experience found in pentecostal/charismatic spirituality. Practical theological research is conducted within a postmodern discourse set in context of a Participatory Action Research project. A narrative therapeutical approach served to identify harmful discourses and encourage the continuing deconstruction of such discourses. The extent to which power/knowledge relationships affect gay Christians' spiritual relationships became apparent. Conflict between the church's discourse about homosexuality and the gay Christian appears to start a process of deconstruction of fundamentalist pentecostal/charismatic hermeneutical approaches to the Bible. The research process facilitated a process of reconstruction of gay spirituality and created opportunities for spiritual and social growth. This research may inspire gay Christian voices in pentecostal/charismatic circles to become heard. / Practical Theology / M.Th.

This study explores how gay Christian men in the pentecostal/charismatic movement reinterpret their spirituality as a reaction to the discourse about homosexuality in this movement. The spiritual experience of gay men is contextualized within the particular emphasis on individual experience found in pentecostal/charismatic spirituality. Practical theological research is conducted within a postmodern discourse set in context of a Participatory Action Research project. A narrative therapeutical approach served to identify harmful discourses and encourage the continuing deconstruction of such discourses. The extent to which power/knowledge relationships affect gay Christians' spiritual relationships became apparent. Conflict between the church's discourse about homosexuality and the gay Christian appears to start a process of deconstruction of fundamentalist pentecostal/charismatic hermeneutical approaches to the Bible. The research process facilitated a process of reconstruction of gay spirituality and created opportunities for spiritual and social growth. This research may inspire gay Christian voices in pentecostal/charismatic circles to become heard. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.Th.

Following the heuristic research method of inquiry and using in‐depth interviews as the vehicle of investigation with five gay South African men; ‐who have either attained a high standing in gay society or have achieved a high level of functioning ‐ the real life experiences of these men were investigated. The premise was that their experiences would be similar in terms of rejection and non‐acceptance in a prevailing homophonic South African society. The core investigation was to plot the spiritual development they underwent in order to attain the high level functioning evident in their social standing and position. The theoretical backdrop, against which the research was investigated and the findings described, was Viktor Frankl’s theory of Logotherapy, with specific emphasis on his descriptions of the avenues to meaning in human existence. Historical perspectives on gay history and legal breakthroughs were provided to further illuminate the real life experiences of gay men. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

The purpose of this study was a qualitative exploration of how gay men experienced the spiritual base of a substance abuse treatment program. The specific clientele are gay men who completed at least sixty days participation in an intensive LGBT outpatient treatment program and were living in a sober residence known as The Studios of Palm Springs, CA. The research question asked whether this program worked to develop spirituality for gay men.