Confessions From A Comfortable Couch: Original Sin

This semester, one of the subjects I've been studying is Introduction to Biblical Text. This has been a fascinating subject on many levels, not least because it has introduced me to the depths and relevance of the pre-exilic prophets (Jeremiah, Hosea, Amos, etc). However, it has also opened my eyes to some of the intricacies and mysteries of the Book of Genesis, especially concerning creation, original sin, and the story of the Flood.

Speaking of original sin, this subject has helped me to see that a close reading of the text reveals a fascinating fact: that when Eve is tempted by the serpent in the Garden of Eden to eat from the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, she actually argues with the serpent, and then makes a decision to eat the fruit based on rational criteria: its pleasing appearance, the fact that it would be good to eat, etc. By contrast, when she offers the fruit to Adam, he simply takes it and eats, without either argument or assessment.

Now this is significant, because this passage in Genesis has frequently been utilised to oppress and suppress women, to view them as the source of evil or the originators of original sin. In other words, to treat women as sub-human. The implication in all this is that it was a woman who was weak and fallen, and who was responsible not just for original sin but for all the evils of which humans are capable; by extension, therefore, women are "more fallen" then men and are "more at fault" for the horrors and hardships of the world. Thus, when a man commits some evil - especially if it involves some sexually motivated evil - a woman usually ends up getting the blame, even if only by implication or through the assumptions that undergird our unspoken prejudices.

But examination of this passage in Genesis demonstrates that this attitude is not simply unfair, it's downright wrong. The argument that a woman was responsible for bringing original sin into the world is, in essence, just an excuse to let men "off the hook". Eve argues with the serpent, then makes her own decision; Adam just does what he is told. Thus, it is Eve who displays independence of thought and strength of mind and character, and Adam who is weak and compliant. Eve is guilty, perhaps, of poor judgement; Adam is guilty of moral cowardice.

And let's face it, guys: we've been disguising and warping and covering up the fact for most of human history.

So I was delighted with the following cartoon from one of my favourite cartoonists, Wiley. I really do think it sums up the situation perfectly; note especially Eve's reaction in the cartoon. Click on the cartoon to get an enlarged image.