The University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom has placed a “trigger warning” on parts of the Bible, including the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and the Genesis account of Cain and Abel. The university stated that the content contains “graphic bodily injury and sexual violence,” and claimed, “a content note is a standard academic tool used to signpost when sensitive or graphic content will be discussed.”
This decision has sparked criticism from Christian leaders and historians. Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, stated, “Applying trigger warnings to salvation narratives that have shaped our civilization is not only misguided, but absurd. Singling out the Bible in this way is discriminatory and deeply ill-informed.” She continued, “To suggest that the crucifixion story involves ‘sexual violence’ is not just inaccurate, it’s a profound misreading of the text.”
Angus Saul of the Christian Institute added, “Neither the Gospels nor Genesis give explicit accounts of Abel’s murder or Jesus’ crucifixion, and what the ‘sexual violence’ label refers to is mystifying.”
