I propose a new framework that might be called “Way of Life Studies” that invites every person to bring their full self and their whole story to the encounter. This approach begins with the recognition that we are all individuals in context. Our understanding of and ways of approaching our lives is indistinguishable from our experiences alone and in communities with others and with the world. We look to the example of queer studies to help us. Religious identities, like gender and sexual identities are social constructs. If we use labels prescriptively to define people into different categories, we inevitably “straighten” them to fit our boxes and limit their flourishing. In contrast, we can invite each of us to describe ourselves, finding language to tell our stories and illuminate our connections with others
This approach would focus our attention on stories rather than identities, highlighting our experiences as our teachers. We would resist the normative influences of patriarchy and institutional authority and we would also free ourselves to bring our whole selves and hold space for expressing and experiencing transformations in all kinds of interactions.