Humanities Series

Academy Discourse - God and Sex - What the Bible Really Says Professor Michael Coogan, Director of Publications for the Harvard Semitic Museum and Lecturer on Old Testament/Hebrew Bible at Harvard Divinity School Thursday, 16 February 2012, Academy House Opposing sides on abortion, same-sex marriage, and other so-called “family values” often appeal to the Bible in support of their contradictory positions, as though the Bible were an authority beyond question. But the Bible speaks with many voices, not one, and some of its values are no longer ours. A close look at the story of David and Bathsheba, one of the most famous and most ambiguous biblical narratives, will illustrate these issues. www.ria.ie Disclaimer: The Royal Irish Academy has prepared the content of this website responsibly and carefully, but disclaims all warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy of the information contained in any of the materials. The views expressed are the authors’ own and not those of the Royal Irish Academy.