The Impact of Feminist Theology on Religion and Society
Examining the relationship between religion and society, feminist theology challenges traditional views on the roles of men and women within Christianity. Scholars like Mary Daly and Rosemary Radford Ruether have made significant contributions to this field, advocating for the liberation of women from oppressive structures and calling for a reevaluation of theological interpretations. Through discussions on androcentrism, biblical interpretations, and the prophetic tradition, feminist theologians aim to address inequality and discrimination within religious communities.
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Theme 3 C The relationship between religion and society Religion, equality and discrimination Social developments in religious thought feminist theology and the changing role of men and women
Specification Content The contribution of Mary Daly and Rosemary Radford Ruether to feminist theology. The changing role of men and women with reference to the issue of the ordination of women priests and bishops; the impact on the lives of believers and communities within Christianity today.
Introduction to feminist theology It is the examination of theology, religious history and religious communities which takes seriously the experience of women. It recognises that religion has played a part in the oppression of women.
Key scholars Rosemary Radford Ruether Mary Daly Historically women have been trapped in oppressed roles and they have lived in a sexual caste system. Biblical and theological traditions see males as more authentically human than women. However, the only real difference between men and women is reproductive roles Traditional theology views God as a noun and women are seen as objects nouns Views of women within Christianity have been shaped by ideas of the Virgin Mary and the sinful Eve. God should be seen as a verb (doing).God is a transforming power, the power of being for all peoples. Some forms of Christianity have given higher status to women e.g. Montanism. Treating women has objects has lead to the unholy trinity of rape, genocide and war. Feminist theology must reclaim the concept of Jesus as part of the prophetic tradition, standing up for the oppressed and his maleness should have no importance. Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every women who as known a man by sleeping with him. But all the young girls who have not known a man by sleeping with him, keep alive for yourselves. Numbers 31:17-18 Romanticism, Liberalism and Marxism have tried and failed to attempt to liberate women from sexism. Females are judged according to different values to men e.g. passivity and gentleness, this is to ensure women do not change the social order Daly asks women to leave the patriarchal structure of the church and seek the support of other women sisterhood The liberating church should be free of patriarchy, it should change the language used and should be committed to fighting the oppression of women. Daly warns women if they stand up to the patriarchy they will be criticised by men
Ruether 1. What is androcentrism? 2. Explain how the Bible and theologians can be seen as androcentric. 3. Why does Ruether believe human nature is androgynous? 4. What personal qualities are attributed to Mary and Eve? How does this have an impact on gender stereotyping? 5. What Christian groups have given a higher status to women and why are they not perfect? 6. What is the prophetic tradition and why is it important to Ruether? 7. What does she think feminist theologians should do to improve the church?
In Sexism and God-Talk Rosemary Radford Ruether sets out the traditional Christian view of women. The patriarchal Christianity that came to dominate the Christian Church in classical orthodoxy never went so far as to completely deny women's participation in the image of God...[but] at times...Christian churchmen came perilously close to this view of women as sin.' 'Even in the original, unfallen creation, woman would have been subordinate and under the dominion of man...the woman should have deferred to the man, who represents, in greater fullness than herself, the principle of "headship" mind or reason. He, in turn should regard her as representing the part of himself that must be repressed and kept under control by reason to prevent a fall into sin and disorder.' 'Within sinful, fallen, historical conditions, however, woman's suppression must be redoubled. Proneness to sin and disorder is no longer potential but actual, and woman is particularly responsible for it.'
Daly According to Daly She said that Christianity 'pretends to put woman on a pedestal but which in reality prevents her from genuine self- fulfillment and from active, adult-sized participation in society'. 1. 2. 3. what is the goal of life? what is the sexual caste system? what is the problem with seeing God as a noun? why would it be better to see God as a verb? why is treating women as objects a matter of life and death? what is the problem with feminine values? what is the sisterhood and why is it necessary? 4. Part of the problem for Daly is that 'God's representatives on earth: the pope, the bishop, the priest who says Mass, he who preaches, he before whom one kneels in the secrecy of the confessional-all these are men'. Given the Church's attitude towards women she suggested that 'A woman's asking for equality in the church would be comparable to a black person's demanding equality in the Ku Klux Klan.' 5. 6. 7.
Summary of Daly De Beauvoir was right, women are treated as 'the other'. Christianity has contributed significantly to this view of women. God = male. Thus power is thought of a being a male thing. Reinforces male superiority. Jesus = male. Only maleness is fit for the incarnation of God. A male body represents both men and women. The Fall has been used to keep women in their place. Even when these doctrines and stories are not literally believed they retain a hold over the way people view things. Morality is constructed not discovered. Prevalent moral views have been constructed by men. For women, morality is one of victimisation. Women need to abandon/challenge the moral views that they have been taught. The Church cannot be reformed (it is inherently patriarchal). It should be abandoned. The sisterhood of feminism can fulfil some of the functions of religion. Men are not entirely excluded but it is time for them to take a back seat and listen to what women have to say.
The ordination of women 32-33 Bettany Hughes - divine women Arguments for Junia prominent among the apostles Romans 16:7 St Paul we are all one in Jesus Christ Priestesses in early church Mary Magdalen (from the word for Tower suggests strength) Women written out of history of Jesus movement Gregory the Great Gospels women funded the 12 Joanna and Susanna Did women and men go out in pairs to spread the message? Otherwise how would the men baptise and bless the women? Arguments against Junia altered to Junias Jesus incarnated as male Scripture forbids leadership of women St Paul Let your women keep silence in the church 12 male apostles Pope Francis no ordination of women Tradition
DIL 1. Write essay plans for the two AO2 questions for 3C use the sample answers, and write up on paper 2. Complete Booklet 2 (Theme 3 D,E and F) up to page 11 3. Use the rest of your 8 hours of DIL to revise
Men and women are equal in the church Yes No Patriarchal from 6th Century Daly women either virgin or sinner sexual caste system Ruether women as sin Pope Francis women can t be ordained St Paul 1 Cor 14:34 35 Let your women . . . J. A. Fitzmyer writes, the majority of commentators today regard 1 Cor 14:34 35 as a later addition Ensoulment for male and female foetuses Old Testament women as objects St Paul there is no longer male and female; for you are one in Christ Jesus Galatian 3:28 Junia ( outstanding among the apostles 16:7)and Phoebe deacon of the church of Cenchrea (16:1) and leader of many, including myself respected/equal to Paul Jesus was inclusive women at crucifixion and resurrection Joanna, Susanna, Mary (sister or Martha and Lazarus) and Mary Magdalene Ruether Jesus part of prophetic and not patriarchal tradition
Feminist theology impacts on modern Christian practice Large extent Lesser extent Catholic Church Pope Francis - no women priests as God incarnated as a man Conservative and evangelical Protestant churches take parts of the Bible that claim women are subject to men because of Eve s sin the in Garden of Eden Daly church is patriarchal Church of England congregations can opt out of considering women priests Language of God not gender neutral C of E Women priests and Bishops (2015) Catholic Church willing to accept women deacons Pope Francis 2014 Ruether signs of change in the church
