INTRAPERSONAL CONFLICT BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND HOMOSEXUALITY: THE PERSONAL EFFECTS FACED BY GAY MEN AND LESBIANS (Konflik intrapersonal di antara kepercayaan Kristian dan homoseksualiti: Kesa personal yang dihadapi oleh lelaki gay dan lesbian)

Abstract

Potential conflict between Christianity and homosexuality is not considered as a totally new phenomenon.Nonetheless, since scarce is known regarding the matter this might assumed the level of intolerance is stillhigh within most traditional western religion including Christianity. A qualitative study of 10 male and 10female Christian homosexuals was conducted via in-depth semi-structured interviews. This paper seeks toexplore the potential conflict between Christianity and homosexuality faced by the respondents. Theresult found that the majority, eighty percent (80%), were affected by the conflict, suggesting that bothChristianity and homosexuality were important components of their lives. The most common personaleffects of conflict between Christianity and homosexuality indentified included depression (68.8%), selfblame/guilt (37.5%), anxiety (31.3%), suicidal ideation (25%) and alienation (25%). Implications andrecommendations at three levels are provided to assist those dealing with homosexual people who areaffected by the conflict.