In time for Christmas: A college course on ‘queering the Bible’

In time for Christmas: A college course on ‘queering the Bible’

Old liberal view of religion: Something for the mindless masses to cling to in place of rational thought. New view of religion: Something to be mocked (think Satanism) or twisted to fit a liberal worldview and/or promote social justice.

The last of these is what Swarthmore College has in mind in announcing the addition of a course to its catalog next year titled “Queering the Bible.”

According to The College Fix, the course will survey “queer and trans* readings of biblical texts” by using “queer and trans* theoretical approaches” — whatever that means.

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The course, which is being offered through Swarthmore’s Religion Department, promises to “[introduce] students to the complexity of constructions of sex, gender, and identity in one of the most influential literary works produced in ancient times.”

“By reading the Bible with the methods of queer and trans* theoretical approaches,” the catalog advertises, “this class destabilizes long held assumptions about what the bible – and religion – says about gender and sexuality.”

It gets even better: This is the only course the Religion Department will offer next year.

Meanwhile, how isn’t this cultural appropriation?

If this course is any indication, in 2018 nothing will be sacred.

Ben Bowles

Ben Bowles

Ben Bowles is a freelance writer and regular contributor to "Liberty Unyielding."

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