Does God Ordain Domestic Violence?
Does God Ordain Domestic Violence?
STH’s Steven Sandage studies religious “myths” that justify abuse of women
By Rich Barlow – In June, Attorney General Jeff Sessions decided that domestic violence is inadequate grounds for granting asylum.
Sessions’ announcement followed President Trump’s defense of aide Rob Porter, accused of abuse by two ex-wives (subsequently amended with a presidential condemnation of domestic violence).
Citing these news stories, psychologist Steven Sandage asks, “How can some people take positions that seem to minimize the problem of domestic violence?” The Albert and Jessie Danielsen Professor of Psychology of Religion and Theology and research director at BU’s Danielsen Institute, Sandage thinks he’s found one answer outside of politics: religion sometimes justifies or rationalizes violence against women.
In particular, he says, that attitude is a danger in Calvinism, a word that may conjure notions of a God who preordains every human for salvation or hell, unalterably, before time began. But Calvinism—“a theology that makes Pat Robertson seem warm and fuzzy,” according to one writer—is enjoying a resurgence.
To view the full BU Today article that was published on Monday, October 1, 2018, please click here.