Theories of religion: Feminism

Question 1

feminists view on religion

Answer 1

many feminists see religion as a patriarchal institution that reflects and enforces male domination and legitimates female subordination.

Question 2

Armstrong (1993)

Answer 2

argues that female figures began to be written out of religion with the acceptance of monotheism. she suggests that this process originated with Yahweh, the God of Abraham.

Question 3

evaluation of Armstrong

Answer 3

suggests that it is not necessarily religion itself that is patriarchal. Thus, unlike Marxists perspectives, we do not need to eradicate religion in order to achieve female liberation. Rather we need to ‘get back’ to more female centered spiritual traditions and develop a female-focused spirituality.

Question 4

1) woodhead

Answer 4

suggests that is in fact liberating for women, giving them access to the public sphere of society without having to tolerate the patriarchal male gaze.

Question 5

Bevoir

Answer 5

women are sometimes portrayed in religion as being closer to God, but only if they are passive and obedient.

Question 6

Holm (scared texts)

Answer 6

the Bible written exclusively by men. God, Jesus and Prophets are all men. Even eve was made from Adam’s rib. In sikhism, the most equal of religions, most important roles within the religion are filled by men.

Question 7

1) religious laws and customs

Answer 7

• these may give women fewer rights than men, e.g. divorce, how many spouses they can marry, dress code, etc.

Question 8

2) religious laws and customs

Answer 8

many religions legitimate and regulate women’s traditional domestic and reproductive role. for example, the Catholic Church bans abortion and artificial contraception.

Question 9

2) Woodhead

Answer 9

argues that the exclusion of women from the Catholic priesthood is evidence of the Church’s deep unease about the freedom of women in general.

Question 10

1) criticisms of feminists view on religion

Answer 10

• Woodhead criticizes feminist explanations that simply equate religion with patriarchy and the oppression of women. While accepting that much traditional religion is patriarchal, she emphasizes that this is not true of all religion. She argues that there are ‘religious forms of feminism’ - ways in which women use religion to gain freedom. e.g. the hijab or veil

Question 11

2) criticisms of feminists view on religion

Answer 11

• it should be noted that the position of women within some religions is chancing. for example, the Church of England has permitted women to become priest since 1992, and now about a fish of all its priests are female.