Feminist Theories of Religion Flashcards
What are the 4 concerns that feminists raise about the role of religion in society?
- leadership positions are male dominated
- sacred texts are interpreted by men
- religion portrays women as a distraction
- religious fundamentalism denies women’s rights
According to Holm (1994), what are the concerns of a male dominated leadership?
Leadership positions are entirely male dominated. Men dominate the public sphere of religion - overt leadership positions within the religious community. For example, a man can only perform the role of the Imam who leads worship.
Women dominate the private sphere. The behind the scenes. It is the womens responsibility to look after the home and socialise girls. Socialisation means it is the women’s role to pass down the teachings of religion but as men are in public domain they gain the authority and respect.
Evaluation of the claim that leadership positions within religion are dominated by men?
- in a society like ours when the source is patriarchy is highly disputed it is wrong to claim religion is a major source of patriarchy
- other areas of life such as workplace women are gaining more power… 67% of all women are in work in 2013
According to Daly (1968), how are sacred texts interpreted by men to justify their powerful positions?
Particularly scathing of the Catholic Church which she believed to be hypocritical. The church claims to worship Virgin Mary however this is reinforcing the idea that men should desire someone caring and loving who will take care of domestic needs. Men are not worshipping her as powerful, instead an image of what women ought to be which is secondary to men.
According to Daly (1968), how have texts been interpreted in the context of Eve in the creationism story?
Bible projects negative perceptions on Eve who is interpreted to be naive, innocent and to lead men astray
According to Daly (1968), how do sacred texts that are interpreted by men focus on male heroes?
Biblical teachings focus on men. Emphasis mainly on Jesus and his disciplines yet his female figures such as Mary Magdalene have been distorted. Despite being one of Jesus’ closest friends, Pope Gregory in 1591 made the declaration that she was a prostitute and that has stood ever since. Evidence that male figures have distorted the perception of women.
Evaluation of Daly’s view that sacred texts are interpreted by men to justify their position of power?
- religion can be used to empower women. For example, in Britain, the hijab is a signal of parental approval enter further education and employment.
- securlarisation
According to El Saadawi (1980), how does religion portray women as a distraction from men?
Major religions such as X and Islam someones promote the view that men are lead astray by women, who use their sexuality. Traced back to Adam and Eve where Eve encourages Adam to taste the forbidden fruit. Eve therefore the original sinner. Lead to Muslim women covering their bodies in public.
El Saadawi argues that it isn’t women, it is the men in positions of authority that portray women this way. Islam has been hijacked by men who have cherry picked specific teachings from Holy Texts to justify their control. Religion is therefore a smoke screen to protect men
Evaluation of the view that relgion portrays women as a distraction for men?
- not always women
- women who cover their bodies are not oppressed.
