Sweden is the most secular and at the same time one of the most multireligious nations in Europe. According to the religion sociologist Linda Woodhead conservative religious contexts become even more conservative when a society is secularized. This is particularly evident when it comes to issues of intimacy, sexuality, and relationships. In Christian free churches, the faith is personal and consists of an active choice to 'follow Jesus', often through salvation or baptism. Living in purity and not committing sinful acts are emphasized. In my presentation I will take my starting point in sexuality, gender identity and religion and reflect on lived experiences of reconcile identity, sexuality, and Christian faith in a Swedish context.

My book A conditional community. Lgbtq, sexuality and Christian Free Churches is based onin-depth interviews with twenty-nine lgbtq Christian individuals. I examine their process of acknowledging and accepting their identity and sexuality, and of finding ways to reconcilei dentity, sexuality, and the Christian faith. There is considerable experience among the interviewees of not being allowed to participate on the same terms as other parishioners. They describe feelings of shame in relation to sexuality or their identity as gay/bisexual or transgender, which is discussed in relation to norms of honor and chastity. Experiences of conversion therapy, casting out evil spirits and relating to a world view that is divided into good and evil are described. The interviewees also reflect on how to work for an affirmative,welcoming and accepting view of lgbtq people.