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December 2010
Jesus in Love Newsletter
LGBT spirituality and the arts
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In This Issue
Liberator Christ
LGBT Jerusalem
Erotic Christ
Queer Jesus in Spain
Jesus photo banned
Gay King Wenceslas
Video from Kitt
Chistmas offering
More highlights
New books


glbt spirituality & arts
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Jesus in Love serves gay, lesbian, bi and trans (glbt) people who have spiritual interests, and our allies. We promote queer spirituality and the arts, with an emphasis on books and images. We believe that God loves all people, including sexual minorities. We believe that the creative process is sacred. We hope that the new visions, especially the gay Jesus and queer saints, will free people to experience the divine in new ways and lead to a more just world.
Greetings!

Some of the year's most important stories are happening this holiday season. Photos from Jerusalem show religious texts that threaten LGBT lives.  New theology rethinks sin and grace for LGBT people and our allies.  Censorship of queer Christian art continues.  Happy holidays!

Liberator Christ: Rethinking sin and grace

Jesus Rises by Douglas Blanchard
People are set free from homophobia and other bondage by the Liberator Christ in the newest part of a 5-week series. More info

Every week gay theologian Patrick Cheng discusses a model from LGBT experience:
Erotic Christ (and series intro)
Out Christ
Liberator Christ
Transgressive Christ
Hybrid Christ

The series, "Rethinking Sin and Grace for LGBT People Today," is presented at the Jesus in Love Blog. It comes from the new anthology "Sexuality and the Sacred."

(Credit: "Jesus Rises" by Douglas Blanchard)
by Dirk Vanden

"If you like suspense this is a book for you."
Amos Lassen, Amazon.com

(Advertisement)
Jerusalem: Religions threaten LGBT lives

The Holy Kiss by Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin
Religion's role in opposing LGBT rights is shown in "Jerusalem," a new photo exhibit by Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin.

She photographed LGBT Israelis and Palestinians with homophobic texts from the Bible or Quran.  Images include women kissing at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the naked embrace of two men near the Jaffa Gate. More info

Credit: "The Holy Kiss" (from "Jerusalem") by Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin
Erotic Christ: Rethinking sin and grace

Crucifix by Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin

God's desire to connect with people is represented by the Erotic Christ.

"If the Erotic Christ is understood as God's deepest desire to be in relationship with us, then sin - defined as what opposes the Erotic Christ - can be understood as exploitation, or the complete lack of mutuality," says gay theologian Patrick Cheng.

He discusses 5 models of Christ in his series "Rethinking Sin and Grace for LGBT People Today." More info

(Credit: "Crucifix" by Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin)

Protests end queer Jesus exhibit in Spain

Judas Kiss by Fernando Bayona Gonzalez "Circus Christi," an exhibit of queer Jesus photos by Fernando Bayona Gonzalez, was closed recently after protests from Catholic groups.

The photos sparked controversy and death threats when they were displayed in Spain. More info
 
Credit: "Kiss of Judas" (from "Circus Christi") by Fernando Bayona Gonzalez
Banned photo shows gay Christ figure

Cross Currents Fall 1972 cover photo by Damon de Winters

A nude photo of a gay Christ figure caused a scandal in 1972 when it ran on the cover of a magazine produced by Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco. Almost 40 years later the photo is still risqu� -- and beautiful. It shows a gay Jesus offering a cup to his beloved disciple. More info


(Credit" Cross Currents Fall 1972 cover photo by Damon de Winters)

Good (Gay?) King Wenceslas

St. Wencelaus and Podiven by Lewis Williams
There's good reason to believe that Good King Wenceslas was gay.  Yes, the king in the Christmas carol.
 
The carol is based on real historical figures, a Bohemian duke and his loyal page.  Author Dennis O'Neill researched the love between the two men.  More info
 
(Credit: "St. Wenceslaus and Podiven, his Assistant" by Lewis Williams, trinitystores.com)
Video: LGBT art brings hope at Christmas

Kittredge Cherry with LGBT spiritual art
Kittredge Cherry shows a collection of LGBT Christian art and discusses the purpose of JesusInLove.org in her Christmas 2010 video message. See video

She is founder of JesusInLove.org and author of "Art That Dares."
Christmas offering: Your $10 gift
pays for 60 visits to our blog

Wreath logo JesusInLoveYour $10 gift pays for 60 visits to our blog and lets one person get our newsletter for a year.

The need is great because conservatives use religion as a weapon against LGBT people. During the holidays many LGBT people feel cut off from church and family. You can bring hope.

Give now by clicking the button below.

Donate

 Thanks! Our goal is $2,000 by Dec. 31. It will come as small gifts from many, many people like you. More info
Click to see more highlights from the Jesus in Love Blog:

World AIDS Day art and resources

Advent: From a closet fertilized by hope

Top-50 list of "insightful blog posts on GLBTQ spirituality"

You're invited to visit the Jesus in Love Blog often during December for more holiday treats, news nuggets and plenty of queer cheer.

Kittredge Cherry
JesusInLove.org
NEW and timely books etc.

Santa Claus Conquers the Homophobes
by Robert Devereaux by Booklocker.com, Inc.
Paperback
List Price: $17.95
Our Price: $16.15
Buy Now

Santa Claus and stepdaughter Wendy try to remake the world in compassion and end homophobia worldwide in one magical night.




Sexuality and the Sacred: Sources for Theological Reflection
by Westminster John Knox Press
Paperback ~ Release Date: 2010-09-21
List Price: $39.95
Our Price: $25.71
Buy Now

NEW anthology includes "Rethinking Sin and Grace for LGBT People Today" by Patrick Cheng.





Gay Nativity Xmas card Gay/Lesbian Nativity Christmas cards


What if the child of God was born to a lesbian or gay couple? Because, after all, LOVE makes a family, including the Holy Family.


Lesbian Nativity scene

Our popular gay and lesbian Nativity Scenes are now available as Christmas cards. Visit card shop


The cards are true to the spirit of Christmas: God's child conceived in an extraordinary way. More info



Click here for more books & DVDs on
 
LGBT art, spirituality and religion