Gender, feminism and religion flashcards

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El Saadawi?

Patriarchy uses religion to control women — interpretation not inherent to faith.

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Woodhead — church participation?

Women often more active than men despite exclusion from leadership.

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Liberal feminist reforms?

Women priests (CofE 1994), inclusive language liturgy.

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Veiling debates?

Oppression vs identity/expression — context-dependent feminist views.

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Walter — gendered spirituality?

Women drawn to New Age/healing; men to rational religion trends.

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Can religion be feminist?

Reformist yes (liberal); radical feminists often see religion as irredeemably patriarchal.

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What is the 'stained-glass ceiling'?

A term describing the invisible barrier that prevents women from attaining senior leadership positions within religious organisations, analogous to the 'glass ceiling' in secular workplaces.

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Name one radical feminist and their view on religion.

Mary Daly argued that traditional religions are irredeemably patriarchal ('if God is male, then the male is God'). She advocated for women to abandon Christianity and create their own, women-centred spirituality.

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What is feminist theology?

A movement that reconsiders the traditions, practices, scriptures, and theologies of religions from a feminist perspective, aiming to challenge patriarchal interpretations and promote gender equality.

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How do liberal feminists approach religion?

They seek to achieve gender equality within existing religious frameworks rather than abandoning them. They campaign for reforms such as the ordination of women and the use of gender-neutral language in worship.

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How did Nawal El Saadawi critique religion?

The Egyptian feminist writer argued that religion itself is not the primary cause of female subordination, but rather that patriarchal societies have distorted and misinterpreted religious texts to justify the oppression of women.