{"product_id":"be-not-deceived-michelle-wolkomir-9780813538228","title":"Be Not Deceived: The Sacred and Sexual Struggles of Gay and Ex-Gay Christian Men","description":"\u003cp\u003eHomosexuality has become increasingly accepted in mainstream America over the past two decades. Yet despite indications of progress that can be found everywhere from academia to popular culture, gay men and women remain the target of much discrimination and stigma, particularly within conservative Christianity. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eBe Not Deceived, \u003c\/i\u003e Michelle Wolkomir explores the difficult dilemma that gay Christians face in their attempts to reconcile their religious and sexual identities. She introduces the ideologies and practices of two alternative and competing ministries that offer solutions for Christians who experience homosexual desire. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eOne organization--the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches--believes that God made people gay to suit divine purposes. Changing one's sexuality is therefore impossible and a defiance of God. In contrast, Exodus International preaches that homosexuality is a sin and a symptom of disordered psychological development--one that can be cured through redemptive prayer. By comparing participant experiences in these ministries, Wolkomir explores the paths and processes by which members learn to become gay or ex-gay Christians. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThrough careful analysis of the groups' ideologies, interactions, and symbolic resources, \u003ci\u003eBe Not Deceived\u003c\/i\u003e goes far beyond the obvious differences between the ministries to uncover their similarities, namely that both continue to define heterosexuality as the normative and dominant lifestyle.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Michelle Wolkomir\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 081353822X\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780813538228\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Rutgers University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 01\/20\/2006\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 240\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.73lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 5.96w x 0.52d","brand":"Michelle Wolkomir","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":43980595757311,"sku":"9780813538228","price":38.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_96be19bb-d3dd-4711-a08d-9c97c6dfc2f9.jpg?v=1683250803","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/be-not-deceived-michelle-wolkomir-9780813538228","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}