Bible and Bedlam

<i>Bible and Bedlam</i> first critically questions the exclusion and stereotyping of certain biblical characters and scholars perceived as 'mad' as such judgements illustrate the 'sanism' (prejudice against individuals who are diagnosed or perceived as mentally ill) perpetuated within the discipline of Western biblical studies. Second it seeks to highlight the widespread ideological 'gatekeeping' - 'protection' and 'policing' of madness in both western history and scholarship - with regard to celebrated biblical figures including Jesus and Paul. Third it initiates creative exchanges between biblical texts interpretations and contemporary voices from 'mad' studies and sources (autobiographies memoirs etc.) which are designed to critically disturb disrupt and displace commonly projected (and often pejorative) assumptions surrounding 'madness'. Voices of those subject to diagnostic labelling such as autism schizophrenia and/or psychosis are among those juxtaposed here with selected biblical interpretations and texts.