May 20, 2006

IS ORIGINAL SIN SEXUAL? HORSEFEATHERS SAYS COULD BE

Horsefeathers has been rightfully challenged by its readers on the editorial liberty it took when it referred to the tree of “Sexual Knowledge” in a recent posting. The reference was not relevant to the central point of the posting but because it caught the eyes of several friendly readers Horsefeathers feels compelled to explain its view on this interesting matter.

First we believe that part of the tradition of Biblical scholarship entails the notion that the Bible is characterized by ambiguous and contrary statements. And this accounts for the wealth of various conflicting interpretations—interpretations which have been carried down through the centuries.

Secondly, the whole episode which led to Adam and Eve being kicked out of the Garden of Eden seems to refer to sexual issues throughout. Before they taste the fruit of the tree Adam and Eve appear to be innocent and the main sign of their innocence is their freedom from shame in their nakedness. In fact it is their shame—their hiding—that gives their transgression away to God. Their shame also requires them to hide their genitals from God and each other with aprons. If this doesn’t suggest sexually conflicted feelings I don’t know what does.

Thirdly, how does God punish Eve for her transgression? By inflicting on her a punishment that is related to sexual congress: “Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children….”

Lastly, the noun knowledge and the verb to know have more than one meaning in the Bible. In Genesis 4:1 one finds “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain….”

But Horsefeathers believes also that there is much room for disagreement in the world of the Bible.