Students in my first year seminar read a series of religious autobiographies this fall, including Joanna Brooks’ The Book of Mormon Girl. I’ve written a bit about the book previously here and here, and shared a bit about Mormon feminist activism here. On the last day of our discussion of the book last month, I invited students to write out a few tweetable questions that I sent on to @askmormongirl, and here are her kind responses: For another Twitterview... Read more
If a 13-year old gets it, and can explain both the problem with adhering to the notion of “biblical marriage” as well as the need for marriage equality this well … … there is no good reason for any state or government to impede justice for all. I especially appreciate that this call for marriage equality comes at the heart of a religious ritual, and in connection to close and careful study of sacred texts. “How has the definition of... Read more
I just ruined “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” for my husband this year. He’s endlessly irritated that I made him read this Salon article pointing out how the 1940s winter tune is a date rape anthem. She says no. He plies her with drink. Hey … did he put something in the drink? Isn’t it sweet? Not really. I am devoted to Christmas songs, movies, and television classics from the morning after Thanksgiving all the way through to New Year’s Day... Read more
In a longer piece at Feminism and Religion last year, Carol Christ shared this story about celebrating Thanksgiving at her home in Greece: Before we shared the meal, my friends, Greek, Australian, and British, asked me to explain what Thanksgiving is. Here is what I said: “When we were young, we learned in school that after the British who were called Pilgrims arrived in Massachusetts, they were starving the first winter because they did not know the new land and... Read more
Today I’m on my way to Baltimore for the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion. I wrote about my visit to this national conference here last year, and look forward to making new and renewing old connections this year. Those of us in academia, regardless of field, come to be acquainted with these massive events, with thousands and thousands of people descending upon a city and taking over hotels and convention centers. When finding lunch becomes a challenge... Read more
Despite the efforts of the leaders of intolerance, Governor Pat Quinn signs marriage equality into Illinois law today: A huge crowd is expected Wednesday at the University of Illinois at Chicago to watch history unfold. After years of struggle and many false starts, Gov. Pat Quinn will sign Illinois’ same-sex marriage bill with great fanfare. At the same time, not to be outdone, a rogue bishop in Springfield will preside over a prayer service of “supplication and exorcism.” Bishop Thomas... Read more
A whole lot of people read my post last month in response to Simone Jhingoor’s on-air proposal. Even Yahoo! picked it up. On Friday, Jhingoor wrote a great piece over at The Aerogram reflecting on the media frenzy that ensued her Today Show moment, and how it affected her experience of getting engaged. In particular, she appropriately called me out for my snarky title, and said: After reading the pieces, including all of the comments from people engaging in the... Read more
Last week I attended the Association for Interdisciplinary Studies and presented with a colleague about some of our work teaching a first year learning community as part of our institution’s general education program. Here are excerpts from my part, focusing on food and faith, diversity and service: While teaching a religion & literature course last fall, I realized how many of the six memoirs we were reading mentioned or even centered around food as identity marker. This isn’t an accident: ... Read more
This weekend, I’m heading to Miami University of Ohio for the Association for Interdisciplinary Studies annual conference. I’ll be co-presenting with a colleague about our first year learning community, some of which I have written about already here and here. (The two of us are pictured here with our student affairs teaching partner on the left. That’s right – faculty working WITH student affairs staff. Integration!) In the presentation, we’re going to talk about some of our joint interdisciplinary teaching... Read more
This just in from Illinois Unites For Marriage: The Illinois House just passed the freedom to marry! In a vote count of 61:54, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act passed on the House floor. The marriage bill passed in the Senate in February, and will now return to the Senate for a procedural vote before Governor Quinn signs it into law. Today, Illinois will become the 15th state to secure marriage for all loving and committed couples. Soon, same-sex couples... Read more
Caryn Riswold
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