Date of Award

2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Benes, Carrie

Area of Concentration

History

Abstract

This thesis argues that slavery has taken on new roles in contemporary theological discourse, influenced by the legacy of the pre-Civil War conflict between abolitionists and slavery apologists. It identifies two contexts where slavery continues to be influential: as an interpretive tool to argue for progressive causes, principally women’s rights and LGBTQ+ inclusion, and as a challenge to the authority of the Bible. It finds a shift in how slavery is used to argue for progressive causes: before the 1970s slavery is used for its specific theological similarities to the oppression of women under patriarchy, while after the 1970s it is used to argue for the necessity of reinterpreting verses that traditionally go against women’s rights and LGBTQ+ inclusion. It covers contemporary conflicts over how the legacy of the abolitionist movement should be interpreted, as atheists and biblical literalists reach opposite conclusion on role of Christianity in ending or perpetuating slavery.

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