Feminism Theory

Question 1

Feminism - Overview

Answer 1

• Founded during Enlightenment - Equality based on reason
• Religion legitimises patriarchal soc
- Affirms male dominance over women (scriptures, figures, ceremonies + leaders)

Question 2

Feminism - Anti-Religion - Armstrong - Religion socialised us into patriarchy

Answer 2

• Early religion had female goddesses of same power as male gods
• Males created monotheism (1 god) to remove female gods
• Women marginalised out of positions of power

Question 3

Feminism - Anti-Religion - Davie - Religion is an agent of social order

Answer 3

• Christianity promotes belief males are superior (Male priests)
• Women are secondary to males in Christianity- Eve is made from Adams spare rib, women responsible for men’s downfall (eve ate apple)

Question 4

Feminism - Anti-Religion - Bird + Holm - Maintains Status Quo

Answer 4

(Keep things same)
• Bird –> Males fear female sexuality
- promotes chastity (virgin till marriage)
- Males fear women’s ability to reproduce
• Holm –> Many religions exclude women from equal participation
- Indian –> menstruating women excluded
- It justifies restrictive divorce laws
- It regulates women’s domestic + reproductive roles (Poland abortion)

Question 5

Feminism - Anti-Religion - Simone de Beauvoir - Religion is a false source of comfort

Answer 5

• Justifies women’s secondary status in soc
• Suffering is seen as holy

Question 6

Feminism - Pro-Religion - Holm + Bowker - Feminist Theology

Answer 6

• Not all religions are patriarchal–> some promote gender equality
• Elizabeth Cady Stanton - Women’s Bible

Question 7

Feminism - Pro-Religion - Abdullah - Feminist Ethnocentrism

Answer 7

• Feminists are ethnocentric - evaluate cultures based on west experiences
• Some Feminists misunderstand freedoms in religion - How to dress (Hijab)

Question 8

Feminism - Pro-Religion - Bell Hooks - Religion can be a source of comfort

Answer 8

• Religion can be source of resistance to patriarchal structures + oppression

Question 9

Femisim - Pro-Religion - Woodhead + Heelas - Is the Future Secularisation

Answer 9

• Traditional religions find membership + attendance is Declining
• Religion is changing + new types are emerging
• Many appeal to women
• Kendal Project - Found a rise in New Age Movements with many female members
• Women have more choice + can pic n mic approach