Feminist Approaches To Understanding Religion

Question 1

radical femenist views on religion

Answer 1

Radical Feminist theories of religion, like Marxist theories, often argue that religion can be an instrument of domination and oppression. However, they tend to see religion as a product of patriarchal ideology rather than capitalist ideology. Feminists draw evidence from a range of different religious practices and beliefs to support this view.

Question 2

liberal femenist view on religion

Answer 2

Liberal feminists see religion as liberating: not all feminists (and women) regard religion as oppressive or reinforcing patriarchy. Some argue that religion can make women feel empowered, valued and supported.

Question 3

christianity, opressing women

Answer 3

Bible extract - Timothy, Chapter 2, v9-15 “Women again must dress in becoming manner, modestly and soberly, not with elaborate hair styles, not decked out with gold or pearls, or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, as befits women who claim to be religious. A woman must be a learner, listening quietly and with due submission. I do not permit a woman to be a teacher, nor must woman domineer over man; she should be quiet.”

Question 4

reform judaism, liberating women

Answer 4

This form of Judaism actively engages with modern life and liberal thoughts, and in this movement women have been able to become rabbis
since 1972.

Question 5

islam, opressing women

Answer 5

Triple Talaq is an Islamic divorce practice. A man can divorce his wife by simply saying ‘Talaq’ meaning ‘I divorce you’ three times. For a woman to divorce her husband, she must go to court and prove serious misconduct

Question 6

hinduism, opressing women

Answer 6

Women traditionally have to abide by their fathers when unmarried, to their husbands when married and to their sons when widowed. They are always under the submission of a male.

Question 7

islam, valing of women
opression and liberation

Answer 7

Some Muslim women see the use of the veil as a way for them to go out into the public sphere without being subjected to the male gaze. This allows them to engage in employment and education while maintaining their discretion.

Question 8

the quakers/society of friends. liberaring women

Answer 8

women and men are seen as equal in this religious organisation as well as some other contemporary religious movements.

Question 9

evangelical christianity, liberating women

Answer 9

This branch of Christianity teaches that men should respect and value women and their roles within the home and family.

Question 10

radical femenist views

simone de beauvoir

men have ‘divine authority’

Answer 10

notes that men generally exercise more control over religious beliefs in different faiths and use ‘divine authority’ to support their dominance over women. She claims that the fear of God serves to keep women in a subordinate position.

Question 11

radical femenist views

armstrong

great mother goddess figures

Answer 11

argues that in many religions, in the past, women were not subordinated. In early history, she claims that women were central to the ‘spiritual quest’. In the middle East, there is evidence that women were symbolised as Great Mother Goddess figures. Armstrong argues that more recently, monotheism (religions with one God) effectively excluded women from reaching important positions in religion.

Question 12

radical femenist views

daly

revolutionary, overthrow of male gods

Answer 12

argues that patriarchal religions should be replaced with feminist religions or ‘Goddess religions. Daly argues for a new feminist spirituality, which should come from women themselves and lead to the revolutionary overthrow of male gods

Question 13

religous organisations, how they opress women

Answer 13

Religious groups are often based on a hierarchy which excludes women or leaves them in subordinate positions. This is true of both Orthodox Judaism and Catholicism where women are still not allowed to become priests, despite the fact the women make up the majority of those engaging in religious practices and beliefs. Woodhead argues that this reflects general religious rejection and unease about the liberation of women in wider society. Some religions are becoming more egalitarian, allowing women to be included in the organisational hierarchy. In the Church of England women have been allowed to be ordained as Priests since 1992 and as Bishops since 2014, however only 1/5 priests are female still. Sikhism is perhaps the most egalitarian of all major religions, as positions are equally open, although women, in practice, rarely take senior positions.

Question 14

teachings and roles, opressing women into the housewife role

walaby

Answer 14

Walby argues that women’s denial of power is also reflected in religious teachings which encourage women to fulfil the domestic housewife role. Sacred texts tend to relegate women to subordinate roles, and Gods are usually men. Walby argues that many of the world’s religions such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam teach that a woman’s place is in the nurturing role of mother and housewife. An example of this can be seen in Christianity, where the mother figure of the Virgin Mary is seen as an admirable role model for women. Woodhead however is critical of this view, arguing that for some women religion provides a clear role and status in the family making them feel valued and giving them purpose in life. Woodhead and Heelas found that many women converted to Orthodox Judaism as by being given a clear role to fulfil, they were removed from the conflicting roles placed on them in modern life

Question 15

religous laws and customs opressing women

Answer 15

It is also common practice in many world religions for women to have fewer rights than men. In Islam men have easier access to divorce than women. Men simply have to say ‘talaq’ or ‘I divorce you’ three times and can divorce their wife without reason or explanation. Women on the other hand have to go through the court and must prove serious misconduct in order to divorce their husbands. It is also common for men to be allowed multiple wives whereas women are permitted one husband, such as in the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (Mormons). The Roman Catholic Church has strict rules on abortion and contraception. In countries where cultural norms are shaped by religion, men and women may be treated unequally by receiving different punishments for adultery

Question 16

religous images, opressing women

Answer 16

There is also evidence to suggest that women are often oppressed and subordinated through religious images which portray them as polluting, corrupting and promiscuous. In Christianity, Eve is the temptress who corrupts Adam and encourages him to sin. Aldridge notes that in many religions sexual pleasure, especially for

women, is condemned and sexuality for non-reproductive purposes is prohibited. This has resulted in female genital mutilation in some Islamic, Christian and Jewish faiths and is reflected in the Catholic rejection of contraception. Holm also notes that women’s menstruation is nearly always seen as polluting. In Hinduism and Islam, women are actually forbidden from entering sacred places during their monthly periods

Question 17

places of worship, opressing women

Answer 17

Some places of worship segregate men and women. Women’s second-class status is often related to their female identities. Holm points out that in almost every religion, ‘menstruation and childbirth are universally seen as polluting’. In many traditions, women are forbidden from entering sacred places or touching sacred objects through their periods.

Question 18

liberal femenist views

holm

Answer 18

argues that while classical teachings of many religions have stressed equality between men and women, the practice has been far from equal. In Japanese folk religions, for example, women are responsible for organising public rituals but only men are allowed to take part in these. In Chinese popular culture women are associated with Yin and men with Yang. Yang spirits are more important than Yin. In Buddhism, men and women have a religious role, monks and nuns, however Monks are regarded as more important.

Question 19

liberal femenist views

badawi

Answer 19

notes that Islam can be positive for women, for example, they keep their names when married.

Question 20

liberal femenist views

wright

Answer 20

explains how some religions have never been patriarchal, such as Quakerism. Quakers believe in a totally egalitarian and democratic organisational structures.

Question 21

liberal femenist views

woodhead

Answer 21

argues that new age religions and activities appeal much more to women and enable them to gain self-esteem and self-worth in an otherwise patriarchal world.

Question 22

womens participation in religion

Answer 22

Statistics suggest that women tend to be more religious than men. The Pew Research Centre (2016) estimates that globally, 83.4% of women identified with a faith group compared with 79.9% of men.

Question 23

miller and hoffman
three reasons for more women identifying in a faith group

Answer 23

1. Differential socialisation: girls and women are socialised into being submissive and passive and nurturing
2. The structural locations of men and women are different: women are less likely to be working than men and therefore more involved with family life (and often are poorer as a result)
3. Attitudes to risk: women are generally more risk averse and so see being religious as ‘safer’. For example, being safe in the afterlife, by believing they are going to heaven.