Feminist Theories of Religion

Question 1

Outline the feminist view on religion

Answer 1

Many feminist regard religion as a patriarchal institution that reflects and perpetuates this inequality. Religious beliefs are a patriarchal ideology that legitimates female subordination.

Question 2

Give evidence for the patriarchy in religious organisation

Answer 2

• They’re male-dominated even though women participate more in these organisations. e.g. Orthodox Judaism and Catholicism forbid women to become priests.
• Armstrong sees the exclusions from priesthood as evidence of women’s marginalisation

Question 3

Give evidence for the patriarchy in places of worship

Answer 3

• They segregate the sexes and marginalise women. e.g. women sit behind the screens while the men occupy the central and more sacred spaces.
• Taboos that regard menstruation or pregnancy may prevent participants e.g. In Islam, menstruating women aren’t allowed to physically touch the Qur’an

Question 4

Give evidence for the patriarchy in sacred texts

Answer 4

• Texts largely feature male gods, prophets etc, and are written and interpreted by men.
• Stories reflect anti-female stereotypes such as Eve, who causes humanity’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden.

Question 5

Give evidence for the patriarchy in religious laws and customs

Answer 5

• These give women less rights than men, e.g. access to divorce, how many spouses they marry etc.
• Religious influences on cultural norms may also lead to unequal treatment such as genital mutilation. Many religions legitimates and regulate
• Many religions legitimate and regulate women’s traditional domestic and reproductive role, e.g. the Catholic Church bans abortion

Question 6

Describe how early religion didn’t subordinate women

Answer 6

• Armstrong argues that early religions placed women at the centre. e.g. earth mother goddesses and female priesthood were found 6 thousand years ago.
• However, the rise of monotheistic religions saw the establishment of a singe, powerful male-God.

Question 7

What are religious forms of feminism?

Answer 7

• Woodhead criticises feminist theories of religion.
• While she accepts much of traditional religion is patriarchal, she argues that there are ‘religious forms of feminism’, where women use religion to gain greater freedom and respect.

Question 8

Describe an example of religious forms of feminism

Answer 8

• While Western feminists see hijabs as a sign of oppression, to the wearer it’s a means of liberations.
• Gilliat Ray argues that some young British Muslim women choose to wear the hijab in order to gain parental approval to enter further education. For them, it allows them to enter the public sphere without being condemned as immodest

Question 9

Describe how women may use religion to gain status and respect for their roles within the private sphere

Answer 9

• Brusco found in Colombia, belonging to a Pentecostal group can be empowering for some women.
• e.g. a strongly held belief among Pentecostals is that men should respect women. This gives women power to influence men’s behaviour by insisting they avoid ‘macho behaviour.

Question 10

Describe piety movements

Answer 10

• These are conservative movements that supports traditional teachings about women’s role, modest dress, prayer and Bible study
• Rinaldo argues that within conservative religions, women may find ways to further their own interests. However, she notes that middle-class urban women mainly join piety movements, and they may have the other resources (education and income) to pursue goals.

Question 11

Describe Liberal Protestant organisations

Answer 11

• e.g. Quakers, are often committed to gender inequality and women play leading roles.
• e.g. A third of priests in The Church of England are female