Feminist theology and the changing roles of men and women Flashcards
(42 cards)
What is at the heart of feminist theology?
The idea that religion has played a part in this historic and continuing oppression of women.
Why is it shocking that there is a hostile reaction amongst Christians when God is referred to as a women?
As God is understood to be beyond gender.
What is androcentrism?
Focused on men - placing men at the centre of history and culture.
Why can women be considered more responsible for the fall than men?
Because Eve ate the forbidden fruit.
What did Aristotle characterise women as?
Misbegotten males
What did Aristotle and Aquinas believe about the natural hierarchy?
Male - Female hierarchy is not just a result of sin but also a result of the natural order created by God.
Why do many suggest that men are closer to God than women?
A male God created us and a male God is needed to save us (Christ).
What does androgynous mean?
Having a combination of both male and female characteristics.
In the Church, what type of characteristics have women been restricted to?
Passivity, gentleness, meekness and obedience.
In Church, why are women only seen as truly spiritual if they are not sexual?
As Mary remained a virgin.
Why could it be seen as a bad thing to be associated with Eve?
She is viewed as the temptress and bringer of sin into the world.
What does Ruether say about the persecution of women as witches?
She argues that the persecution of women stems from religious gender stereotyping.
What did a 15th century Dominican manual say about witchcraft?
“Since women are feebler both in mind and body, it is not surprising that they should come under the spell of witchcraft.”
Ruether cites the 1976 Vatican declaration against women’s ordination (becoming priests), what quote did she pick out?
“there must be a physical resemblance between the priest and Christ”.
What does Gnostic mean?
Relating to an ancient spiritual movement focused in attaining spiritual knowledge.
How did Gnostic writings view women?
As Apostles and describe the nature of God as having both male and female principles.
Which movement allowed women to be in leadership?
Quakers
What is the ‘Shakers’ view of God and where did this view stem from?
God as bisexual or androgynous. This stems from the notion that we are made in God’s image so in some sense God must be both male and female.
What does Ruether say about groups such as ‘Shakers’?
- Shakers were celibate and Gnostics advocated an unwordly asceticism.
- Also none of these groups fought for women’s rights outside their gatherings.
Why can the prophetic tradition be linked to fighting sexism?
The prophets didn’t specifically fight sexism but manifested the principles which extended to all forms of oppression.
what are the four themes in the prophetic liberating traditions?
- God’s defence and vindication of the oppressed.
- a critique of dominant power systems and their power holders
- a vision of where injustice ends under the reign of God
- a critique of the religious ideology maintaining injustice.
According to Daly, what are the three versions of God as a noun?
- God as a judge of sin
- God as a stop - gap (an explanation for the unknown)
- God as otherworldliness (Gives rewards and punishments after death.
According to Daly, why is God as a noun wrong?
The images of God as a noun are static and doing nothing to inspire creativity, dynamism and growth.
According to Daly, rather than viewing God as a noun, what must we do?
Consider God as a verb, to see God in a process of becoming with the universe as the force that helps us to become the people we are meant to be.
