Can only women develop a genuine spirituality? Flashcards
(11 cards)
Introduction
- Define genuine spirituality
- Introduce the question
- Contextualise briefly
- LOA preview
Define genuine spirituality: a deep, authentic connection or relationship with the divine or sacred reality, involving transformative experience and liberation.
Introduce the question: Does genuine spirituality depend on gender? Is it exclusive to women?
Contextualise briefly: Feminist theology challenges traditional male-centred spirituality and Christianity’s patriarchal roots (Mary Daly, Rosemary Radford Ruether).
Thesis/line of argument preview: While Mary Daly compellingly exposes how patriarchal Christianity inhibits women’s spirituality, Rosemary Ruether’s feminist re-reading offers hope that genuine spirituality transcends gender—thus, genuine spirituality is not exclusive to women, but patriarchal contexts may restrict its genuine expression for all.
Paragraph 1
Body Paragraph 1: Mary Daly — Patriarchal Christianity Blocks Genuine Spirituality for Women
Body Paragraph 1: Mary Daly — Patriarchal Christianity Blocks Genuine Spirituality for Women
Content
Daly’s key claim: The traditional male God concept is a patriarchal construct used to justify male supremacy.
Quote: “If God is male, then the male is God” — this makes male dominance seem natural and unchallengeable.
Daly argues male supremacy in religion is not a cosmic fact but a social construction, enforced by male imagery of God.
Daly’s theological reform: “God” should be a verb (‘be-ing’) to escape fixed gender binaries and oppressive structures.
Biblical texts as evidence of misogyny:
• 1 Corinthians 14:34, 1 Timothy 2:12, Ephesians 5:22-33 enforce women’s silence, submission.
• Eve as source of sin: internalised female guilt used to justify oppression.
• Biblical sanctioning of violence against women in war (Numbers 31:17-18, Deuteronomy 21).
• Daly’s conclusion: Christianity is irredeemably sexist and must be abandoned by women for genuine spirituality.
• Sisterhood as alternative spirituality: female-only, no hierarchy, healing from patriarchy.
• Daly claims female spirituality is superior because patriarchy has stunted men’s spiritual growth.
• Radical separatism is controversial: accused of female supremacy and impractical segregation.
Body Paragraph 1: Mary Daly — Patriarchal Christianity Blocks Genuine Spirituality for Women
Strengths
• Powerful critique of patriarchal power embedded in religious language and imagery.
• Insightful re-conceptualisation of God challenges fixed oppressive identities.
• Highlights the psychological and cultural impact of religious sexism on women’s spirituality.
Body Paragraph 1: Mary Daly — Patriarchal Christianity Blocks Genuine Spirituality for Women
Weaknesses
• Radical separatism risks replicating oppression through gender segregation.
• Overlooks potential for reform within existing religious traditions.
• The claim of female superiority may alienate male allies and reinforce gender essentialism.
• Ignores male spirituality that might transcend patriarchy or men’s capacity for feminist consciousness.
Paragraph 2
Body Paragraph 2: Rosemary Radford Ruether — Feminist Reformism and Gender-Inclusive Spirituality
Body Paragraph 2: Rosemary Radford Ruether — Feminist Reformism and Gender-Inclusive Spirituality
A01
Ruether agrees patriarchy has distorted Christianity but argues Christianity can be reformed.
Emphasises imago dei: men and women equally created in God’s image as basis for equality.
Highlights the biblical female imagery of divine wisdom: ‘Sophia’.
Historical examples of female leadership (Montanists, female prophets in Corinth) suppressed by patriarchy.
Argues Jesus was not a warrior Messiah but a servant King, embodying liberation including for women.
Jesus’ actions (e.g., speaking to Samaritan woman, forgiving adulterous woman, calling Martha to listen) demonstrate challenges to gender roles.
Galatians 3:28: “There is neither male nor female… all one in Christ” — key feminist liberation verse.
Ruether’s ‘golden thread’ of liberation runs through scripture, separate from patriarchal influence.
Christianity’s patriarchal elements can be rejected as idolatry.
Spiritual liberation for women (and men) is possible through feminist reinterpretation and reform.
Ruether rejects Daly’s view that a male savior cannot bring genuine salvation to women.
Body Paragraph 2: Rosemary Radford Ruether — Feminist Reformism and Gender-Inclusive Spirituality
Strengths
Offers hope for inclusive spirituality accessible to all genders.
Grounded in theological tradition, making reform more plausible for believers.
Nuanced historical analysis of patriarchy’s impact on Christianity.
The ‘golden thread’ provides a method for critically engaging with scripture.
Body Paragraph 2: Rosemary Radford Ruether — Feminist Reformism and Gender-Inclusive Spirituality
Weaknesses
Critics may argue feminist reinterpretation is selective and idealistic.
Patriarchal traditions remain deeply entrenched; reform is slow and incomplete.
Some biblical passages and Jesus’ statements suggest an acceptance of existing social orders.
Spiritual equality ‘in Christ’ may not translate to social equality or genuine lived experience.
Conclusion
Summary: Daly convincingly reveals the systemic patriarchal barriers to women’s genuine spirituality in Christianity, calling for radical alternatives. Ruether offers a more reformist, inclusive vision where spirituality transcends gender via feminist reinterpretation.
Judgment: Genuine spirituality is not inherently exclusive to women, but patriarchal structures have historically distorted spiritual expression for women and men alike.
The question’s framing (“Can only women develop genuine spirituality?”) is too narrow: genuine spirituality is possible for all but patriarchal conditions limit this—especially for women.
Daly’s radical separation highlights oppression’s depth but risks division; Ruether’s reformism presents a more hopeful path toward equality and genuine spirituality for all.
LOA
While patriarchal Christianity has impeded women’s genuine spirituality, genuine spirituality itself is not gender-exclusive—true spiritual liberation requires dismantling patriarchy and embracing inclusive, feminist visions of the divine and salvation.
