Mozaik Editorial

Everybody has one, but nobody talks about it. Without it, no one would exist. People disagree whether it’s a choice or you’re born with it. And it can be dangerous enough to warrant prohibition in many of the worlds’ countries. What is the answer to this mysterious riddle? Well, as you can probably guess from the cover, it’s sexuality. It is something which affects every person in the world, and yet it is rarely discussed openly, except with condemnation or embarrassment.

In this issue of Mozaik, we decided to follow wscf Europe’s lead and break the taboo. We will be discussing many issues relating to sexuality. However, sexuality is not just something we experience; it is also something we study, and think about in relation to faith. For this reason, this 36th issue of Mozaik is divided into two sections: Heart and Mind.

Heart is based on sharing our experiences of sexuality and faith; whether this relates to growing up as the trans child of a minister and rediscovering your own faith, like in our spotlight article In or Out from trainee minister Alex Scott Young, or the shifting boundaries of modern relationships from Chaplaincy Assistant Ella Sibley in “This is my Partner…” Knut Svihus shares his story of coming out…. as a Christian! Meanwhile Rob Howe and Pierre Thierry reflect on masculinity and gay sexuality, and Carla Grosch-Miller shares a lesson from a conference from the Centre for the Study of Christianity and Sexuality.

In Mind we learn about scripture’s take on this topic, so crucial to our very existence. Does the Bible set out to prohibit sexuality? This shibboleth issue is discussed by expert on lgbt issues Dr K. Renato Lings, who shares amazing insights on same-sex love in the Bible. Hadje Sadje asks whether women are empowered or denigrated by stories about them in the Old Testament. Are they Texts of Terror or Liberation? Reflecting on the Budapest conference, Hoi Tung Ng discusses whether transgender issues should be viewed as medical probles. And, reprinting an article from Mozaik 26, we investigate one of the most taboo topics of all time: Understanding the Mystery of Clerical Sexual Abuse.

I hope this issue raises, and answers, some questions in your mind, so that we can fully understand one of the mysteries of our shared humanity: sex.

Blessings,

James Jackson

James Jackson is a teacher, dj and editor based in Liverpool, uk. He has a Masters Degree in Religion & Political Life, and enjoys travelling, food and music.