The Biopsychosocial Spiritual Research Conference was held virtually and in-person at Loma Linda University (LLU) in California on Friday, April 12th.
The conference aimed to unite spirituality and behavioral science, two fields that are sometimes seen as contradictory.According to the press conference Websitethis gathering will “explore developments in the philosophy of science that offer promising paths to integration, some of the potential problems they may raise, and examples of biopsychosocial-spiritual research.” The purpose is that.
This year’s theme focused on psychological trauma in the LGBTQ+ community. Dr. Beverly Buckles, dean of LLU’s School of Behavioral Health, discussed the national importance of this conversation in her opening comments, saying, “You know this is timely.”
Mr. Buckles went on to share the personal significance of this year’s theme. Her brother, who died last year, was a gay Christian who deeply informed her of her own faith.
“We want to know what we can do to help people in the LGBTQ+ community celebrate their faith,” Buckles said.
This year’s keynote speaker was Associate Professor of Congregational and Community Care Leadership at Luther Seminary Pastor Cody J. Sanderswhose presentation was titled “LGBTQ+ Religious Stress-Trauma and the Complex Beauty of LGBTQ+ Faith.”
During his talk, he further developed themes from his book, “Christianity, LGBTQ Suicide, and the Soul of Queer Folk.”
Sanders argued that we need to “complex” the language we use to share the stories of LGBTQ+ people. He emphasized the power of stories, both in bringing life and instilling trauma. Sanders also pointed out that the language we use in these stories can paint an incomplete picture of the complex emotional lives of LGBTQ+ people.
“our [LGBTQ+ people’s] The story is not summed up by a religious trauma narrative. ” Sanders went on to discuss the importance of finding and sharing stories of queer flourishing. He described the violence that silencing stories of queer flourishing can cause for LGBTQ+ people who are unaware that others are experiencing what they are experiencing.
Sanders reminded the audience that by sharing and holding space for these stories, LGBTQ+ people are reminded that they are not alone.
“You don’t have to be an expert on LGBTQ+ issues to hear their stories,” Sanders said.
He concluded his talk by discussing the need for these conversations, especially in light of the more than 400 anti-LGBTQ+ bills being proposed across the country this Congress. This was followed by a rich panel discussion and Q&A session. Participants then watched poster presentations by his LLU students.
Loma Linda University’s Department of Behavioral Health launched the Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual Research Conference in 2020. Recordings of previous years’ keynotes and panel discussions are available on the conference website. Website.
