theories of religion- lib fem

Question 1

4 lib fem views on religion

Answer 1

culture is oppressive not religion
religious organisations don’t maintain patriarchy
religious forms of feminism
religion empowers women

Question 2

culture is oppressive not religion

Answer 2

el sadaawi - religion is not direct cause of women’s subordination
patriarchy influenced and reshaped religion by reinterpreting religious beliefs in ways that favoured patriarchy- religion doesn’t oppress, its men
monotheism legitimates this - main religions tend to worship one make god, painting men as authoritative

Question 3

culture is oppressive not religion ao3

Answer 3

rad fem-religion is patriarchal- armstrong

Question 4

religion doesn’t maintain patriarchy

Answer 4

march of progress- C of E allowed women to become priests, mosque in london allowed woman to become imam, and for men and women to pray side by side

Question 5

religion doesn’t maintain patriarchy ao3

Answer 5

rad fem- religion segregates the sexes

Question 6

religious forms of feminism

Answer 6

woodhead- criticises explanations that equate religion with patriarchy
much of traditional religion is patriarchal, not true for all- eg in islam women wear hijabs to symbolise their resistance to oppression, rather than oppression itself, and to escape the male gaze- part of their identity

Question 7

religious forms of feminism ao3

Answer 7

rad fem- still oppressive, women being forced to follow customs that control what they wear is oppressive.

Question 8

religion empowers women

Answer 8

NAMs eg crystals/ meditation help women cope with demands of new positions, many women today are still expected to carry out triple shift, NAMs offer an individual sphere where women can escape the work and primary care sphere
can reach top jobs in these new movements (breaking stained glass ceiling.

Question 9

religion empowers women

Answer 9

rad fem- maintains patriarchy, still can’t reach a lot of top jobs within the church