U. Portland theology majors no longer have to take ‘Biblical Texts’

U. Portland theology majors no longer have to take ‘Biblical Texts’

University of Portland theology majors will no longer have to take a class on “Biblical Texts,” according to the department chair who has previously said opponents of homosexual behavior are like the soldiers who nailed Christ to the cross. The departmental change will allow students more “autonomy” so they can take courses like “Queer Theologies.”

The Catholic university, run by the Congregation of the Holy Cross, also announced it will change the name of the department to “theology and religious studies.” The department changes drew criticism from a Catholic leader who spoke to The College Fix.

“This course examines how Biblical texts and interpretations shape faiths, theologies, spiritualities, ethics, practices, identities, cultures, and social and political dynamics,” a university description states. “It gives students tools to interpret and engage these ancient Jewish and Christian texts from the Mediterranean world in contemporary global contexts.”

Students must still take Theology 105, which does include a Biblical texts component, but now can “pick from a variety of upper-division courses to fulfill their second theology requirement,” according to The Beacon, the student newspaper.

These course options include “Queer Theologies,” “God Our Mother,” and a class on “the intersectionality of gender discrimination with other forms of discrimination.”

https://www.thecollegefix.com/u-portland-theology-majors-no-longer-have-to-study-bible-can-take-queer-class-instead/