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Y’all know I’m happy to argue for Religious Studies vs certain strands of theology, and academic study in general. But I’ve been seeing a lot of ‘this is why we need Religious Studies programs’ in response to the Christo-nationalism on display, and I’m not sure that’s it.
We do need Religious Studies programs. They most definitely shouldn’t be defunded. And it’s good to have folks who can critically analyze and get to the roots of what’s happening. But if the idea is that Religious Studies programs would *prevent* this, that seems a non-starter.
First, Religious Studies is, for now, housed in universities. This keeps it at an almost infinite remove from the church contexts in which Christo-nationalism is entrenched and tormented. It might help someone who goes to a university break out, and maybe change stuff in then.
But it isn’t going to undercut either the people who wield power in these spaces, or the critical mass who listen.
Second, RS isn’t something that has easily predictable effects. As an ideal, it *should* motivate a critically reflective approach to faith. But it’s easily possible to go through an RS program, know all the facts, and be an Anon (c.f. the ethics prof off the deep end.)
Academia just doesn’t work like that—knowing things doesn’t make people better people. (This isn’t even to go into the colonial history of RS, which has been tweeted by folks who I’m only not tagging because I don’t want to pester them.)
Education and intellectual work can and should be a part of social change. And universities should have RS programs. And RS programs should try to make the world an easier place to live. But these programs are not sufficient for that end.
TL;dr: The university cannot be where we imagine Christo-nationalism and Christo-fascism being undercut. It’s important, and can help. But in a limited sense.
(All this covers Seminaries as well, for slightly different reasons.)
(All this covers Seminaries as well, for slightly different reasons.)
