I Am Divine. So Are You: How Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Hinduism Affirm the Dignity of Queer Identities and Sexualities - (Hardcover)

About the Book

In 2015, a historic panel discussion took place at the global Festival of Theology held in Sweden. Its objective was to examine what the sacred texts of the Abrahamic faiths - Judaism, Christianity and Islam - had to say about human sexuality.

By bringing in perspectives from the Karmic faiths of Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Hinduism, which together represent the beliefs of almost a third of the world's population, I Am Divine. So Are You expands this conversation between world religions and human sexuality to a truly global level.

The theology of Karmic faiths is revealed at the intersection of scripture, culture, rituals and lived realities. And hence they are dynamic and amenable to a multiplicity of perspectives. They lend themselves more easily to a recognition and acceptance of fluidity in human sexuality.

This is a landmark book as it recasts religion - especially Karmic faiths - as an ally and not an adversary of queer emancipation and thus significantly informs the secular and legal movements for LGBTQ rights around the world.

Book Synopsis

In 2015, a historic panel discussion took place at the global Festival of Theology held in Sweden. Its objective was to examine what the sacred texts of the Abrahamic faiths - Judaism, Christianity and Islam - had to say about human sexuality.

By bringing in perspectives from the Karmic faiths of Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Hinduism, which together represent the beliefs of almost a third of the world's population, I Am Divine. So Are You expands this conversation between world religions and human sexuality to a truly global level.

The theology of Karmic faiths is revealed at the intersection of scripture, culture, rituals and lived realities. And hence they are dynamic and amenable to a multiplicity of perspectives. They lend themselves more easily to a recognition and acceptance of fluidity in human sexuality.

This is a landmark book as it recasts religion - especially Karmic faiths - as an ally and not an adversary of queer emancipation and thus significantly informs the secular and legal movements for LGBTQ rights around the world.

About the Author

Devdutt Pattanaik writes, illustrates and lectures on the relevance of mythology in modern times. He has written more than thirty books and is a public speaker, leadership coach and management theorist. He has written the introductory essay in this book and has been a consultant to the entire project. Jerry Johnson is the editor of this book and has written the chapters on Hinduism and Buddhism and edited the chapters on Jainism and Sikhism.