Feminist theory on religion Flashcards
What’s the Feminist view on religion and why?
They believe monotheistic religion is patriarchal in its:
- Organisation
- Beliefs and Doctrines
- Practices
Explain how exactly feminists believe religion is patriarchal
Organisation = Founders are men and leadership structure is in their favour
Beliefs and Doctrines = Teaches that women are inferior and most doctrines written by men
Practices = Behaviour of women is restricted
List all the types of feminist views on religion
- Liberal feminist view
- Radical feminist view
- Marxist Feminist view
- Non-Western Feminist view
What’s the difference b/w the Western and non Western feminist view on religion?
Western sees religion as directly involved in women’s oppression, but non western see the distortion of religion being the source of female oppression.
Explain the liberal feminist view on religion
It oppresses women via organisation
Solution = to change female status by allowing them to be in religious positions
Criticism = Situations of some women have improved (Anglican ministers) but has there been overall improvement in the oppression of women?
Explain the radical feminist view on religion
Religion seen as a patriarchal institution for the benefit of men and to control women
solution = challenge religion or to return to polytheistic religions of the past
criticism = hold ethnocentric views on religion
Explain the Marxist feminist view on religion
Exploits women and benefits ruling class by reinforcing traditional gender roles. Also acts as opium of women explaining dual burden solution = revolution criticism = deterministic, religion is still present in many communist countries
Explain the non western views on religion
Al Sadaawi = society is patriarchal and uses religion as excuse to justify it
Woodhead = Women can use religion to gain greater freedom
