Gravity Commons Podcast Benjamin Perry: Why Weeping is an Essential Part of Being Human
Aug 19, 2025
In a heartfelt discussion, Benjamin Perry, a Presbyterian minister and award-winning author, shares insights from his book, 'Learning to Cry: Why Our Tears Matter.' He reveals how crying can foster connection and transformation while exploring societal pressures that discourage vulnerability. Perry opens up about his journey toward embracing emotions, highlighting the pandemic's impact on emotional awareness. Through personal stories and research, he emphasizes the importance of tears in building community and understanding one's identity and faith.
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From Pharma To Seminary
- Benjamin Perry ran away to seminary after a crisis of conscience about pharmaceutical work and discovered queer theologies that made faith come alive.
- His essay on crying during the pandemic led an editor to invite him to write a book about tears and their social meanings.
Walk Slowly With Communities
- Move slowly when helping congregations become inclusive and create safe spaces for basic questions without shaming people.
- Provide theological resources and walk with people as they unlearn inherited interpretations over time.
Answer Basic Questions Patiently
- Create nonjudgmental spaces and invite basic questions when teaching about gender and inclusion.
- Answer simply and patiently, recognizing many people lack safe places to ask fundamentals like 'sex vs gender.'
