When Saying No to God Is an Act of Faith by Siya Khumalo (with Siphokazi Jonas)
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“When faith becomes aligned with power structures, it transforms from a prophetic force into a tool for social control.”
Bestselling author and poet Siphokazi Jonas sits down with Siya Khumalo for a searching, generous conversation on his new book When Saying No to God Is an Act of Faith. Together they unpack his critique of institutional Christianity, the religious trauma that pulled him deeper into the Bible rather than away from it, and why discerning when to say “no” to religion is itself an act of faithfulness. They explore how pulpits around the world constantly add to and subtract from scripture to prop up power, how DARVO plays out in religious language, and what it means to interpret scripture against the grain in a world where any disruption to the status quo is treated as heresy.
Siya Khumalo’s new book is When Saying No to God Is an Act of Faith. It presents a critique of institutional Christianity, arguing that when faith becomes aligned with power structures, it transforms from a prophetic force into a tool for social control, and challenges readers to discern when saying “no” to religion becomes an act of faithfulness to God.
Siya Khumalo writes about religion, politics, sex and technology. His first book, You Have to Be Gay to Know God, was long-listed for the Alan Paton Prize, shortlisted for the UJ Book Prize, and awarded the Desmond Tutu-Gerrit Brand Prize. He is also the author of Queering Revelation.
Siphokazi Jonas is a bestselling author, poet, writer, performer and producer. Her latest book is Weeping Becomes A River (audiobook out now).
Bestselling author and poet Siphokazi Jonas sits down with Siya Khumalo for a searching, generous conversation on his new book When Saying No to God Is an Act of Faith. Together they unpack his critique of institutional Christianity, the religious trauma that pulled him deeper into the Bible rather than away from it, and why discerning when to say “no” to religion is itself an act of faithfulness. They explore how pulpits around the world constantly add to and subtract from scripture to prop up power, how DARVO plays out in religious language, and what it means to interpret scripture against the grain in a world where any disruption to the status quo is treated as heresy.
Siya Khumalo’s new book is When Saying No to God Is an Act of Faith. It presents a critique of institutional Christianity, arguing that when faith becomes aligned with power structures, it transforms from a prophetic force into a tool for social control, and challenges readers to discern when saying “no” to religion becomes an act of faithfulness to God.
Siya Khumalo writes about religion, politics, sex and technology. His first book, You Have to Be Gay to Know God, was long-listed for the Alan Paton Prize, shortlisted for the UJ Book Prize, and awarded the Desmond Tutu-Gerrit Brand Prize. He is also the author of Queering Revelation.
Siphokazi Jonas is a bestselling author, poet, writer, performer and producer. Her latest book is Weeping Becomes A River (audiobook out now).
