Managing the interface: sexual orientation and faith Research for further education and higher education
In response to questioning about how religiously motivated homophobia impacted on their ability to function well and how they responded to it the same chaplain saw their role as promoting debate: We need to take the argument out there – there are contested interpretations of scripture on this issue. I just don’t accept that religion drives us towards homophobia and we need to make that case and to challenge those with a more rigid view. I welcome and celebrate committed and monogamous gay relationships. Chaplain 4 While this expressed the general view of the majority, differently nuanced responses were forthcoming from within the same chaplaincy group. I am uncomfortable with promiscuity. I have heard about pornographic films being made in which they torture the actors and humiliate them. This is terrible and evil. I can’t get used to it. Chaplain 5 Although this statement was unconnected to the question asked, it appeared to signify a deep discomfort with homosexuality and an assumption that it comprised exotic, extreme and criminal behaviour. This was a minority view. For the majority of the focus group who did not seem to share fully the clarity, focus and commitment of Chaplain 4, but who were, nevertheless, agreeable to being led by it, a working compromise was sought through the application of policy and procedure. This was expressed by Chaplain 5. There will always be uncertainty in this area. There will be different views. Some of this is scriptural. Those of us who are younger find this easier. Those of us who are not find it more challenging. We share
a commitment to support people as we find them. We need a clear policy and set of rules to work with. And we have got that. We work within the college equality policy. That is very helpful. We have signed up to that. Chaplain 2 This chaplain goes on to describe his early working experience and how he saw it as relating to his role now in working to promote cohesion between these two equality groups. I worked in South London in the ‘70s and the church was involved in the race issues of the day. We supported black people and that wasn’t popular. We are used to that and I am not going to pass the buck on this issue either. But I do need some help with it. Chaplain 2 This chaplaincy is located within the college student services directorate and the chaplaincy coordinator has, as part of their job description, a lead responsibility for equality and diversity and for community cohesion. This has anchored the chaplaincy to a role in which, if it is to succeed on the terms established for it, has to challenge religiously motivated homophobia. The role is made more complex by potentially contradictory pressures within the chaplaincy itself and between the chaplaincy and some of its external sources of support and sustenance. In interviews with national officials working with further education colleges and university chaplaincies this was explored further. I’m not optimistic about the future direction of the Church. The liberal view, the inclusive view, is now marginal and it will wither. This will impact on the direction taken by chaplaincies. They need to be interfaith, inclusive and open. I am not sure that will be sustainable going forward. National official
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