ACCEPTING HOMOSEXUALITY THROUGH DENIAL: ‘TRUE LOVE. IS ‘DIGITAL MINISTRY

Abstract

Throughout time and across societies, Christianity and homosexuality has dominantly been thought as fundamentally incompatible and irreconcilable. For individuals that identify as both a Christian and a homosexual, the internal struggle to reconcile the seemingly conflicting identities can sometimes be immense, with some never resolving this conflict. This thesis focuses specifically on the emergence of truelove.is, a digital ministry that emerged in 2018, initiated by a Christian pastor from 3:16 Church in Singapore. The platform features personal testimonies by LGBT Christians who struggle with homosexuality, conceptualized as “same-sex attraction” and attempts to de-stigmatize the attraction that they involuntarily experience. However, truelove.is preaches a specific and narrow message of self-abstinence by rejecting homosexual behaviours and relationships as fundamentally sinful. This thesis argues that truelove.is uses new technology to specifically target the vulnerable, marginalized LGBT Christian population by presenting the insidious message that self-abstinence is the only way that they can resolve the conflict between their religiosity and sexuality, which psychological studies have shown to be incredibly harmful for them. Finally, this thesis examines the opinions of other Christians on the relationship between the state, religion and homosexual rights in Singapore as well as on truelove.is. Many of the interviewees generally agree on having more conversations about and with LGBTs and a more open and public discussion of such issues.