Susan Henking

Susan Henking has been President of Shimer College since July 1, 2012. Previously she was Professor of Religious Studies at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY. In addition to her leadership in higher education, her scholarly work focuses on theories of religion as well as religion in relation to gender and sexuality. She is co-editor, with Gary David Comstock, of Que(e)rying Religion (1997) and, with William Parsons and Diane Jonte Pace, of Mourning Religion( 2008).The views shared here are, of course, neither those of Shimer College nor of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, but solely those of Susan Henking. Both these colleges and Professor Henking value the diversity of ideas and the value of open debate.

Politics/Law, Sexuality/GenderJune 23, 2009

Someone Has Been Giving Away Money

By Susan Henking

There have always been tensions between religious reasons to give anonymously and social demands for accountability in giving. In this case the money, millions and millions of it, is going to women-led educational institutions.

Politics/Law, Science & Technology, Sexuality/GenderJune 23, 2009

AIDS Progress is Paradoxical

By Susan Henking

When you consider the Pope on condoms, a hospital’s failure to follow simple precautions, and the fading of activism, we’re still coming up short in the fight against AIDS. Still, even at the intersection of AIDS and religion, the news ain’t all bad.

Politics/LawJune 17, 2009

Lincoln and Obama: A Precarious Parallel

By Susan Henking

Drawing connections between history’s heroes and today’s leaders is one way to tell a political story. But invocations of Obama as Lincoln, as MLK, or as FDR are double-edged.

(A)theologies, Culture, Politics/Law, Sexuality/GenderJune 16, 2009

Religion in Tension on World AIDS Day

By Susan Henking

From “God Hates Fags” to Desmond Tutu’s calls for compassion, religion has been deeply intertwined with the struggle for AIDS justice. Fully two decades after activists first challenged church authority on HIV/AIDS religion’s report card is mixed.

Politics/LawMarch 10, 2009

Women, Girls, and HIV/AIDS: Does Awareness Help?

By Susan Henking

There is a ribbon for everything, it seems. But, as we mark National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, we must remember that justice requires more than simple awareness.

Politics/Law, Sexuality/GenderDecember 2, 2008

World AIDS Day: Sacralizing Change

By Susan Henking

From “God Hates Fags” to Desmond Tutu’s calls for compassion, religion has been deeply intertwined with the struggle for AIDS justice.