Publication Date

2024

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Morton, Micah F.

Second Advisor

Bardolph, Dana N.

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Anthropology

Abstract

Historically, Christianity has sought to maintain rigid separation between men and women. Christianity often views women as secondary to men, particularly in relation to authority under Jesus Christ. These ideals have led to the restrictions of rights and roles of people who choose not to adhere to strictly defined or enforced gender roles. For this ethnography, I examined one church community; namely Barbwire Baptist Church in northern Illinois and how its members used scripture and doctrine beyond simply worship to reinforce norms and expectations of self and others regarding gender and sexuality. I draw on scholarship in gender studies, and theoretical frameworks including Black Feminist Theory and the anthropology of Christianity and religion more broadly. Two specific questions frame the study: First, how are ideals of gender performativity and sexuality transmitted intergenerationally among members of Barbwire Baptist Church? Second, what influences, if any, do religious symbols have on church members shared and divergent ideals of gender performativity and sexuality? I address these questions using ethnographic techniques including participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and textual analysis, concluding that while some members tend to police the actions of themselves and others, other members actively choose to break with traditional teachings. This research adds nuance to existing scholarship focused on the anthropology of religion, religious studies, and the study of gender and sexuality.

Extent

62 pages

Language

en

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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