Skip to main content.
Religion News Blog is a non-profit service providing academics, religion professionals and other researchers with religion & cult news
ReligionNewsBlog

Religion news articles about religious cults, sects, world religions, and related issues

Navigation:
A Random Image
Homosexuality/Lesbianism/Bisexuality/Transg.:

KU professors say Bible often a political tool

Lawrence Journal-World, USA
Apr. 16, 2004
Dave Ranney
www.ljworld.com

ReligionNewsBlog.com • Item 6798 • Posted: Friday April 16, 2004  

  • Google Bookmarks
  • Google Reader
  • Gmail
  • Yahoo Mail
  • Twitter
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Digg
  • Delicious
  • Blogger Post
  • Evernote
  • Facebook
  • Share/Bookmark
Click here... More articles on this topic: Homosexuality/Lesbianism/Bisexuality/Transg.

Americans are not above using the Bible to promote their politics, a Kansas University professor said Thursday.

In the 1950s, for example, the Bible was used to push the importance of mothers staying home to raise their children while, at the same time, making room in the work force for servicemen returning from World War II.

“Religion was used to promote a cultural value: in this case, the nuclear family,” said Robert Minor, a religious studies professor at Kansas University.

The fact that several passages in the Bible openly endorse polygamy was conveniently overlooked, he said.

Minor’s comments were part of “Religion and Oppression,” a panel discussion at the Kansas Union coordinated by Queers & Allies, an association representing gay, lesbian and transgendered students.

Abolitionists, too, used the Bible to attack slavery, Minor explained, adding that passages condoning slavery and calling on slaves to “obey their masters” were rarely mentioned.

It’s no surprise, Minor said, that the Bible today is being used to condemn homosexuality and gay marriage.

“There are seven passages in the Bible that are used against gay people,” Minor said. “But the debate among biblical scholars is not whether they are pro or anti (gay).”

He added: “The word homosexual does not appear in the Bible.”

Agreeing with Minor, fellow religious studies professor Daniel Breslauer said among biblical scholars the often-cited passage “Lie down with no man as you would a women” is thought to have more to do with gender — men’s power over women — than with homosexuality.

Tim Miller, another religious studies professor, encouraged the 25 students in the audience to recognize the differences among religion, politics and culture.

“I don’t think religion is inherently oppressive,” he said. “But I think people can be oppressive and are capable of using the Bible as a tool of oppression.”

Andrew Stangl, a Wichita freshman, asked why the nation’s mainstream churches have been less than outspoken in support of gay rights and in opposition to the Iraq war.

“Where is the outrage?” Stangl asked.

Breslauer replied: “The Vietnam War made (church leaders) realize their patriotism could be called into question.”

Miller added that many churches were “truly internally conflicted” over whether to extend an open door to gays and lesbians.

  • Google Bookmarks
  • Google Reader
  • Gmail
  • Yahoo Mail
  • Twitter
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Digg
  • Delicious
  • Blogger Post
  • Evernote
  • Facebook
  • Share/Bookmark


What You Can Do From Here

Read More Articles On These Topics
more religion news aboutmore Religion News Blog articles about
Share, Blog About, Bookmark, or Email This Article
Subscribe
Follow Religion News Blog on Twitter


Read Another Article
Find Related Information
cult research search enginecountercult information Use our custom search engines to find additional research resources on religions and cults
Find Related Books


Most Popular Today


Share This Article

To share this page simply copy and paste one of these URL's:





Counter Cult Search

Search for information about (religious) cults, cult-like organizations, -- as well as paranormal-, New Age, and pseudoscientific claims -- across 260+ websites, blogs and forums dedicated to cult research, spiritual abuse, ex-cult counseling & support.


Note: results are listed on another domain -- CounterCultSearch.com -- from which you can easily return here.


Apologetics Search

Search for apologetics articles, books, videos, and other research resources across 135 Christian apologetics websites and blogs.


Note: results are listed on another domain -- ApologeticsSearch.com -- from which you can easily return here.

About Religion News Blog
Religion News Blog (RNB), published by Apologetics Index, highlights news items and other resources on world religions, cults, religious sects, alternative religions and related issues. RNB's non-profit news clipping service is used by - among others - Christian apologists, countercult professionals, anticult organizations, cult experts, teachers, religion professionals, reporters and other researchers.

Home
Latest Headlines
RSS news feed [?]
Headlines by Email
News Trackers
Free content for your site
About RNB
Privacy Policy
Contact RNB
Link to RNB
Advertise on RNB
Apologetics Index
Cult FAQ
Apologetics Search Engine
CounterCult Search Engine