ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book represents the more 'mainstream' religions and addresses the spiritual spaces that are presumed to embrace, refuse and refute traditions whilst re-establishing their own norms It offers an engagement with the key social scientific and theological literature that have to date intersected sexualities, with religion and spiritualities. The book shows the Internet can be perceived as a mystical domain for those who have never been there, and for those who perhaps go there too much. It notes how commonality and collectivity under banners such as 'gay and lesbian', LGBT and LGBTQI can be used to create belonging, agitate around inequities, and be used to find safe, welcoming spiritual spaces. The book draws attention to the historical and cultural logic of queer spiritualities, arguing that their current manifestation is far from being a jarring juxtaposition, and more like a diffractive crystal.
