Feminist theories of religion

Question 1

Feminists beliefs

Answer 1

Society is patriarchal and regard religion as patriarchal that reflects and perpetuates inequality
Religious beliefs function as patriarchal ideology that legitimates female subordination

Question 2

Evidence of patriarchy

Answer 2

Formal teachings stress gender equality, many evidences of patriarchy e.g. religious organisations, places of worship, sacred texts and religious laws and customs

Question 3

Patriarchal religious organisations

Answer 3

Mainly male-dominated
Armstrong- evidence of womens marginalisation = Orthodox Judaism and Catholicism forbid women becoming priests
Woodhead- exclusion from catholic preisthood shows Church’s unease about womens emancipation

Question 4

Patriarchal places of worship

Answer 4

Segregate sexes e.g. seating women behind screens whilst men occupy main sacred spaces
Women’s participation limited e.g. not allowed to read from sacred texts or menstruation preventing participation
Holm- menstruating women not allowed to touch the Qur’an shows devaluing of women in religion

Question 5

Patriarchal sacred texts

Answer 5

Mainly feature doing of male gods, written and interpreted by men
Reflect anti-women stereotypes e.g. Eve caused humanity’s fall from grace and expulsion from Garden of Eden

Question 6

Patriarchal laws and customs

Answer 6

Women fewer rights than men e.g. access to divorce, how many spouses can marry, dress codes
Religious influences on norms may lead to unequal treatment e.g. punishment for sexual transgressions and genital mutilation
Legitimate and reproduce womens trad domestic role e.g. catholic church ban abortion and contraception

Question 7

Evaluation of religion being patriarchal

Answer 7

Armstrong- Early religions places women at center, earth mother goddesses, fertility cults, female priesthoods found till 6,000 years ago
However, 4,000 years ago with rise of monotheistic religions established single all powerful male God
Saadawi- religion not cause of subordination but result of patriarchal society forming that re shaped religion, rise of monotheism as legitimates power of men
Men interpreted religious beliefs in ways that favoured patriarchy so contributes to oppression

Question 8

Religious forms of feminism

Answer 8

Woodhead- ways women use religion to gain respect and greater freedom e.g. hijab, may be means of liberation
Gilliat-Ray- some young british women chose to wear hijab to gain parental approval to enter employment and further education whereas traditionally problematic
Brusco- women use religion to gain status and respect for roles in home and family, belonging to pentacostal group could be empowering, big belief is men should respect women, give women power by insisting they follow that. Women use activities related to church e.g. bible study groups to find support

Question 9

Piety movements (Rinaldo)

Answer 9

Conservative movements that support trad teachings but women can find ways to further own interests
However, most likely middle-class women join as already have other resources e.g. education and income to pursue goals

Question 10

Liberal protestant organisations

Answer 10

Quakers and Unitarians commited to gender equality and women play leading role e.g. 1/3 of unitarian ministers are female
Church of England had female priests since 1994 and female bishops since 2015, 1/3 of priests are female