Zusammenfassung der Ressource
Feminist Theory of Religion
- Religion is patriarchal and
legitimates female oppression
- Evidence of Patriarchy
- Religious Organisations
- Male dominated despite mostly female
participation. Armstrong (1993) sees women
as forbidden to become priests is a clear
example of marginalisation.
- Places of Worship
- Participation within or access to certain areas is
restricted for women. E.g. menstruating women cannot
touch the Qur'an
- Sacred Texts
- Feature mostly male
gods and figureheads.
- Written/interpreted by men
- Present anti-female stereotypes. E.g. Eve
as reason for Eden expulsion.
- Religious Laws and Customs
- Women have fewer rights. E.g. spouse
numbers, divorce, dress codes
- Unequal treatment such as
genital mutilation
- Catholic church bans abortion
and contraception
- Saadawi (1980): Religion is not the direct cause of female oppression.
Patriarchy has influenced and reshaped religions as a result of
monotheism.
- Evaluation
- Religious Feminism: Woodhead (1980)
- Patriarchy isn't true for
all religions
- Hijab (Islam): Symbol of liberation,
culture and identity to Muslim women
- Evangelicals believe men should show
respect to women
- CofE has allowed female priests since 1992.
- Marxists believe feminists ignore the role of religion in
propping up capitalism
- PostMod: traditional Feminism is outdated