Unveiling Hidden Realms: Queer Devotion Challenges Spiritual Norms Beyond the Binary
Despite these real and concerning developments, Burgess devotes the majority of the book to an expansive affirmation of queerness. They look at the changing artistic and written portrayals of gods and goddesses like Aphrodite and Dionysus, who can be connected to Mother Mary and Jesus, respectively. Ultimately, the consolidation of religious doctrine stifled differing opinions – such is what happened with the Gnostic Gospels, and the Gospels of St. Thomas and Mary Magdalene, all more lenient and liberal in their interpretations of Christ’s teachings. Burgess’s writing is very validating, and they include examples of their own religious practices to give the reader ideas. Burgess emphasizes that “[w]e must forget what we’ve learned to remember what we know.” If everyone is made in the image of God, is then God not queer? Trans? Nonbinary?
