Gender and Theology DCT

Question 1

What is Mary Daly’s main critique of God’s portrayal in Christianity?

Answer 1

That portraying God as male reinforces the idea that power is inherently male.

Question 2

What does Mary Daly mean by the phrase ‘If God is male, then the male is God’?

Answer 2

It suggests that associating God with maleness legitimizes male dominance.

Question 3

Why does Daly believe male supremacy appears unchallengeable?

Answer 3

Because it is enshrined in religion by associating God with maleness, making it seem natural.

Question 4

What is Daly’s proposed linguistic solution to the male image of God?

Answer 4

Refer to God as a verb instead of a noun, emphasizing ‘be-ing’ rather than ‘a being’.

Question 5

Why does Daly want to think of God as a verb?

Answer 5

To challenge fixed and eternal ideas about structural oppression and show they can change.

Question 6

How does Daly interpret biblical verses that command women to be submissive?

Answer 6

As evidence of the Church’s patriarchal nature and justification of male dominance.

Question 7

How does Daly view the biblical story of Eve and The Fall?

Answer 7

As a narrative that has been used to oppress women by portraying them as the source of sin.

Question 8

What does Daly identify as the ‘unholy trinity’?

Answer 8

Rape, genocide, and war.

Question 9

What is the source of the ‘unholy trinity’ according to Daly?

Answer 9

The patriarchal world, supported by Christianity’s reinforcement of male dominance.

Question 10

What biblical story does Daly criticize for promoting violence and subjugation of women?

Answer 10

The story in Numbers 31:17-18 where Moses tells soldiers to kill men and take virgin girls.

Question 11

How do liberal Christians attempt to redeem Christianity from sexism?

Answer 11

By taking a symbolic view of scripture and reinterpreting it with gender-neutral language.

Question 12

How does Daly respond to liberal reinterpretations of the Bible?

Answer 12

She argues that the influence of the Bible still causes people to view women as inferior.

Question 13

What is Daphne Hampson’s argument about liberal Christianity and sexism?

Answer 13

That liberals still view the Bible as scripture, which continues to shape sexist paradigms.

Question 14

What does Daly propose as a replacement for the Church?

Answer 14

A sisterhood of feminism that fulfills spiritual needs without patriarchy.

Question 15

What is the purpose of feminist sisterhood according to Daly?

Answer 15

To provide women a sacred space to heal from patriarchy and promote liberation.

Question 16

What does Daly say about men’s role in patriarchy?

Answer 16

They must reject feeding off the bodies and minds of women.

Question 17

Why does Daly claim women’s knowledge and abilities are superior?

Answer 17

Because patriarchal oppression has stifled women’s growth and potential.

Question 18

What criticism is made of Daly’s belief in female superiority?

Answer 18

That it is just as sexist as male supremacy and risks promoting segregation.

Question 19

What is Daly’s defense of female spiritual superiority?

Answer 19

That it is a temporary necessity for healing in a patriarchal world.

Question 20

What does Reuther believe about Christianity and feminism?

Answer 20

That Christianity can be reformed to be compatible with feminism.

Question 21

What is patriarchalization according to Reuther?

Answer 21

The historical process by which Christianity became dominated by misogynistic views.

Question 22

What is ‘Sophia’ and its relevance in feminist theology?

Answer 22

Sophia is Greek for wisdom, personified as female and an early Christian image of divinity.

Question 23

How does Reuther interpret Yahweh’s meaning in Hebrew?

Answer 23

It means ‘no name’, suggesting God is beyond gender.

Question 24

What early Christian sect had female leaders?

Answer 24

The Montanists.

Question 25

What happened to the Montanists?

Answer 25

They were persecuted into non-existence.

Question 26

How does Reuther view the figure of Jesus in Christology?

Answer 26

As a servant king who defied patriarchal expectations of a warrior messiah.

Question 27

Why does Reuther believe Jesus embodies female wisdom?

Answer 27

Because he served and sacrificed instead of ruling, contrasting male messiah expectations.

Question 28

What is Daly’s objection to a male savior?

Answer 28

That in patriarchy, a male symbol cannot liberate women.

Question 29

What does Daly mean by 'male symbol cannot function as bearer of New Being'?

Answer 29

That a male image of salvation reinforces patriarchy.

Question 30

How does Reuther respond to Daly’s criticism?

Answer 30

She argues Jesus embodied female wisdom and was not patriarchal.

Question 31

What is the 'golden thread' argument?

Answer 31

That there is a consistent theme of liberation in the Bible that supports feminism.

Question 32

What does the 'golden thread' include?

Answer 32

Liberation themes like Exodus, Jesus helping the marginalized, and moral teachings.

Question 33

How does Reuther say we should treat patriarchal parts of the Bible?

Answer 33

Reject them if they conflict with the liberation theme.

Question 34

What is the significance of Galatians 3:28 to feminist theology?

Answer 34

It claims spiritual equality of all people, supporting feminist liberation.

Question 35

What does Daly think of the Bible’s portrayal of Mary?

Answer 35

That she is used to encourage female submission and passivity.

Question 36

Why does Daly describe Mary as a ‘rape victim’?

Answer 36

Because of the power imbalance between God and Mary and lack of true consent.

Question 37

What criticism does Daly have of the Catholic Church’s respect for Mary?

Answer 37

It’s like a slave owner respecting obedient slaves.

Question 38

What is Mulieris Dignitatum?

Answer 38

A letter by Pope John Paul II defending traditional gender roles and complementarity.

Question 39

What does JP II argue about women’s telos?

Answer 39

That it is motherhood, which develops compassion and self-giving.

Question 40

What is feminist criticism of telos-based gender roles?

Answer 40

That they are cultural inventions by men to reinforce gender inequality.

Question 41

How does de Beauvoir respond to gender telos?

Answer 41

By arguing telos is a man-made concept and freedom means defining your own purpose.

Question 42

What does 'existence precedes essence' mean?

Answer 42

That humans exist before they have a defined purpose and must create it themselves.

Question 43

What is de Beauvoir’s critique of religious feminism?

Answer 43

That religion enforces patriarchal roles on women through false promises.

Question 44

How does Daly describe religious hierarchy?

Answer 44

As irredeemably patriarchal and incompatible with true female liberation.

Question 45

Why is sisterhood important for Daly?

Answer 45

Because it replaces the church and provides healing without hierarchy or patriarchy.

Question 46

What does Daly say about compromise with patriarchy?

Answer 46

That it never works and women must reject it entirely.

Question 47

What is Daly’s view on women’s potential in education?

Answer 47

That it’s suppressed by the patriarchal environment.

Question 48

Why does Daly criticize classroom dynamics for women?

Answer 48

Because women feel silenced and pressured to conform.

Question 49

What does Reuther think about rejecting the Bible completely?

Answer 49

That we should instead reinterpret it using the golden thread of liberation.

Question 50

How does the Bible’s message of Jesus and liberation relate to feminist theology?

Answer 50

It provides support for reformation and equality.

Question 51

What does Daly believe must happen to the image of God for feminism to succeed?

Answer 51

It must be redefined away from maleness and fixed identity.

Question 52

What is Hampson’s critique of liberal Christianity?

Answer 52

That it still reads the Bible as scripture and carries its sexist legacy.

Question 53

How does Daly define patriarchy’s impact on spirituality?

Answer 53

It distorts it into male-centered power rather than true human flourishing.