Colloquium 2: Hypermasculinity

Saturday 18 April 2023

The Abusing God Network held its second colloquium on hypermasculinity on Saturday 18 September 2023 at the University of Manchester.

The day featured four panels of speakers.

If you are interested in listening back to the panel presentations, recordings of the discussions are available below.

Content warning: The topics that will be discussed are sensitive in nature and include gender-based violence, abuse, and challenging relationship issues. Therefore, we want to issue a content warning in advance. If you find any of the content upsetting, please do free to walk away from your device and practice self-care as appropriate. If needed, please contact your support group or a trusted friend. Alternatively, in the UK you can also contact either the National Domestic Violence Helpline (for women and those supporting women survivors) at 0808 2000 247, Men’s Advice Line at 0808 801 0327, or National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) Domestic Violence Helpline at 0800 999 5428.

Panel 1 (speaking on Coercive Control)

Lisa Oakley, University of Chester: ‘The bible is filled with landmines!’ – Exploring the use of biblical discourses in experiences of coercion and control

Colin Perkins, Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser – Diocese of Chichester: The Blind Onlooker: Psychosocial and theological reflections on improving responses to child sexual abuse in churches

Panel 2

Bekah Legg, CEO of Restored: Reclaiming our families: Raising children in a toxic world 

Charlotte Thomas, University of Exeter: Onward Christian Soldier?: ‘Neo-Muscular’ Metaphor and ‘Biblical’ Discourses of Hypermasculinity in the Promise Keepers’ Tender Warrior

Panel 3

Andrew Boakye, University of Manchester: “Preaching from Mars Hill”: Mark Driscoll, Paul and the Inflected Rhetoric of Ideal Masculinity

Ollie Lamping, Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Service with Bracknell Forest Child Social Care and Bright Hope Church, Reading: Reflections on men, DA and the Church

Panel 4

Claire Alison Hams, University of Chester: The effects of patriarchal belief systems upon males born into high control religious organisations  

Will Moore, Westcott House, Cambridge, Anglia Ruskin University: ‘Wanting a Macho Jesus’: A Crisis of Masculinity and the Cross

Anna Budhi-Thornton, University of Manchester: ‘It’s Raining Manliness’: The Complex Interaction of Hyper-Masculine Ideals in the Gospel of John’

The views, information, or opinions expressed during the seminar are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of the Abusing God Network, The University of Manchester or Cliff College. The Abusing God Network is not responsible and does not verify for accuracy any of the information contained in the seminar. The primary purpose of this seminar is to educate and inform and does not constitute professional advice or services.