Feminism And Religion 2

Question 1

Simone de Beauvoir

Answer 1

Saw religion as a form of oppression and compensation for women. (Gives them meaning and belonging)

Religious doctrine is used to control the behaviour of women- patriarchal organisation of religion ensures this (she believes this set the foundation for oppression)

Women help to indoctrinate young people into religious organisations through socialisation as they are the primary care giver and have the expressive role.
Women reproduce the next generation of worshippers

Provides women with hope they will be rewarded for their suffering in the afterlife

Question 2

Mary Daley

Answer 2

Suggests patriarchal religious practice should be replaced with goddes religion.

Women are oppressed in traditional religion through being passive - prayer rather than other alternatives

Feminist spirituality can overthrow patriarchal religious beliefs and lead to the empowerment of women.

Women can harnest their own potential and no longer be controlled

Question 3

Linda woodhead

Answer 3

Similar to Daley, saw the potential for a ‘divine feminine’ within society

Woodhead suggested that spirituality can empower and strengthen women- based in her own research in Kendal

Rise in new age movements that are more egalitarian in their approach to women’s involvement in religion.

Question 4

Nawal El Saadawi

Answer 4

Examined the role of religion in the Arab world, focusing primarily on Islam

Religion is just one form of patriarchal control- often used to justify men’s control over women

Women’s activities and bodies controlled by males and this oppression is often legitimised through manipulation of religious texts.

Question 5

Jean Holm

Answer 5

While religion preaches equality, in practice many world religions exclude women from positions of authority

However, according to Holm, this is not a universal occurrence and there is a movement in the 21st century for greater equality (mainly Christianity with the inclusion of female ministers)

Changes to structure of Church Of England and improved women’s rights in religious states

Question 6

Evaluations

Answer 6

Evidence of inequality present in most major world religions supports ideas of those that see religion as a form of patriarchal control

Higher levels of religious participation amongst women including in new age and spiritual movements

Debate between liberal and radical feminists over the extent to which religion can change or should be replaced