The Challenge of LGBTQ Christian Novels: Exploring Identity in The Education of Joshua Chastain
Nicolas Shumway's The Education of Joshua Chastain: A Gay Mormon Memoir explores faith, identity, and the challenges LGBTQ individuals face within conservative religious communities. This profoundly moving coming-of-age story immerses readers in the life of a young man raised in a devout Mormon home during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Joshua's emotional journey, as he grapples with his sexuality, raises critical questions about faith, acceptance, and the power of self-discovery in a world that often denies his identity.
A Gay Mormon Memoir: Faith, Identity, and the Doctrine of Erasure
Josh's story begins in a religious environment that denies the existence of LGBTQ individuals, viewing homosexuality solely as sinful behavior. In 1995, Mormon Apostle Dallin Oaks stated in the Ensign magazine that terms like "gay" and "homosexual" apply only to thoughts, feelings, or actions, not to individuals. This doctrine of erasure forces Josh—and others like him—to question their place within the church and society. Can he reconcile his faith with his sexuality, or must he choose between the two?
The Struggles of Gay Christians: Religion and Family Dynamics
Josh's struggles mirror those of many LGBTQ Christians. Despite his devotion to his faith, Josh finds little solace in the teachings of the Mormon Church, which condemns homosexuality and labels same-sex relationships as sinful. His mother, a devout believer, unknowingly exacerbates his inner conflict by citing scriptures like Leviticus 20:13, which calls for death as a punishment for homosexuality. Her well-intentioned but harmful actions push Josh into a painful reimagining of his relationship with his family.
Unlike Jewish children learning their heritage from Jewish parents or Black children gaining life wisdom from Black parents, gay children rarely have LGBTQ role models in their families. Josh's journey highlights the unique isolation of gay youth in religious families and the emotional toll it takes.
Reimagining Scripture and Faith: A Universal LGBTQ Struggle
Josh's deep engagement with scripture becomes a challenge and a path to self-discovery. Like many gay Christians, he confronts the so-called "clobber verses" that are often weaponized to condemn homosexuality. Despite this, Josh remains connected to his faith, cherishing elements of his Mormon upbringing, such as hymns and the church choir. As he matures intellectually, he seeks a more critical and inclusive understanding of scripture.
While Josh's struggle is rooted in Mormonism, the challenges he faces are universal among LGBTQ Christians. The teachings of the LDS Church closely resemble those of Roman Catholicism, which deems homosexual acts "intrinsically disordered," and Evangelical Christianity, which condemns same-sex desires as sinful. Josh's journey parallels many others, like Garrard Conley, author of Boy Erased: A Memoir, who navigates the intersection of faith and sexual identity.
Conversion Therapy and the Fight for Identity
Josh's challenges intensify after a high school bully outs him to his family. His parents send him to a Mormon psychologist specializing in ex-gay therapy, a practice rooted in the belief that homosexuality can be "cured" through prayer and aversion techniques. Although the American Psychological Association declared in 1975 that homosexuality is not a mental disorder, conversion therapy persists in some conservative religious communities, causing significant harm to LGBTQ individuals.
Josh's story exposes the pain inflicted by conversion therapy and the cultural forces that perpetuate it, illustrating the broader struggles faced by LGBTQ youth in religious settings.
Finding Strength in Self-Discovery and Community
Despite the opposition he faces from his church, family, and community, Josh begins to reclaim his identity. A pivotal moment in his journey comes after his first romantic encounter with Harold, a college student who becomes a close friend and mentor. Rather than feeling guilt or shame, Josh experiences gratitude and a sense of divine affirmation, realizing that his desires are not incompatible with his faith.
Harold's advice resonates deeply: "Never take shit for being gay... Remember that you know more about yourself than they do. Don't ever let them tell you who you are." This mentorship helps Josh recognize that religious leaders or societal expectations do not define his self-worth and identity.
A Broader Conversation About LGBTQ Christian Novels
The Education of Joshua Chastain adds an essential voice to the growing genre of LGBTQ Christian novels, challenging readers to consider the complexities of faith and identity. Josh's journey underscores the resilience of LGBTQ individuals who navigate oppressive systems while remaining true to themselves.
This story is not just about one man's struggle but a broader reflection on the experiences of LGBTQ Christians in conservative faith communities. Shumway's powerful memoir invites readers to rethink preconceived notions, offering hope, resilience, and the possibility of reconciliation between faith and identity.