Assess the view that women are no longer oppressed by religion (18 marks)
The view that women are no longer oppressed by religion is prevalent in society today, however there is a lot of evidence to suggest that this is not the case and that women are still very much being oppressed by some aspects of religion. Feminists would argue that religion is a patriarchal institute, and in religion, there has never been equality for women.
Firstly, historically, wherever nature is conceptualised, the role of women has been seen in terms of their ‘essential femininity’, that is, as being naturally different creatures to males. Thus, within the philosophies of New Age cults, women tend to be afforded to a much higher status than men. This is one of the reasons that may explain the development and involvement of women in New age Movements (NAMS). Many NAMs emphasise nature, such as using homeopathic remedies, aromatherapy and massage. Bruce argues that the private sphere of cult activity appeals to women because it’s like the private sphere of the home. Glock and Stark would take it further to support this view and argue that women are more likely to participate in these kind of sects because they’re more likely to experience poverty and social deprivation, having a lack of power, prestige and social status (relative deprivation) Women are also more likely to suffer from mental/emotional problems (search for healing), and ethically are more conservative than men, so therefore get involved in NAMs as a search and need for self-improvement. The high involvement of women in NAMs suggests religion does not oppress women.
Continuing from this, there is a growing amount of evidence to show that some religions are not necessarily ‘patriarchal’ and do not oppress women. In Catholicism, becoming a nun could be seen as highly liberating as they’re choosing this lifestyle themselves, and not obeying the rules of the other gender. Holm and Bowker (1994) go as far to suggest that religious organisations developed exclusively for women, are the forerunners of the modern women’s movement in that they separate women from men, enhancing women’s sense of identity. Today women’s orders show a considerable diversity in their beliefs and modes of life. To support this Leila Badawi (1994) identified that aspects of Islam are positive for women, such as being able to keep their own family name when they marry. However, many would argue that this is a general right in itself, therefore showing that religion still has some aspect of patriarchy. Despite this, Gross (1994) detects signs of a post-patriarchal Buddhism developing in the west, which does not differentiate roles for male and female members, therefore supporting the view that women may no longer be oppressed by religion. As well as this, the fact that in Hinduism, female Goddesses are worshipped in their own right (Shakti), demonstrates the importance of women in religion, therefore supporting the point that in religion, women may no longer be oppressed.
Lastly, many would argue that religion is a force for change and is becoming more equal, no longer oppressing women. For example, hymns and prayers are no more “gender neutral”, as well as “obey” being removed from marital vows. Non-orthodox Judaism also have women Rabbis, the Church of England having female priests and bishops. However, despite the evident changes and increase in women becoming priests, it could be noted that women are still less significant when it comes to the leading of religious practices. It may be that women tend to just have a higher religiosity than men. Miller and Hoffman(1995) report that women are more likely to express a greater interest in religion, have stronger personal religious commitment and attend church more often due to their different socialisation. This goes against the idea that religion is becoming more equal because women are taught to be more submissive, passive and obedient which are traits that are compatible with religiosity. Many would still view the male being the “head of the church” and leading services with women just dedicating more time to their religiosity.
On the other hand, there is still the argument that religion is very patriarchal. Firstly, there is evidence of patriarchy in religious scriptures and practices. For example, in the bible it states “blessed art thou O lord that I was not born a women” and that men are made “in the image of god”, women made “for the glory of a man”. This is evidence that in the Bible, there are clear suggestions of oppression. As well as this, the most prominent females in the Bible, Eve and Mary, serve to reinforce the dangers of female sexuality and the virtues of motherhood. In the Bible, it shows that God created Eve purely to be Adam’s “helper”, therefore reinforcing the idea that women were made to be submissive. This is supported by the fact that in some religions, women’s bodies were seen as polluting (linking to ideas of sin and menstruation) and that their presence is also distracting, proving how religion reinforces the idea of oppression. However, there’s also evidence to show that women were not always subordinate to men in religion. For examples, large numbers of effigies of a naked, pregnant mother, goddess figures have been uncovered by archaeologists across Europe and Asia. In the days where people worshipped the gods if nature, the female sex was seen as closer to nature, representing the mysteries of life and fertility.
As well as this, many would argue that there has never, and will never be equality for women in religion; religion will always oppress women. Many Christian feminists argue that as long as the notions of gender are attached to the understanding of God, there will always be gender inequality. Mary Daly goes as far to say that Christianity in itself is a patriarchal myth. She argued the Christian story eliminated other 'Goddess’ religions and that Christianity is rooted in male ‘sado-rituals’ with its ‘torture cross symbolism’- it embodies women-hating. Simone de Beauvoir saw religions oppressive to women as it’s used to control them. It serves as a way of compensating women from their second class status, giving them false belief that they will be compensated for their suffering on earth by equality in heaven. However, El Sadawi blames the patriarchal domination of religion that came with the development of monotheistic religions, therefore blaming culture and not religion itself. Such religions ‘drew’ inspirations and guidance from the patriarchal and class societies prevalent at the time, therefore it may not be religion that’s oppressing women, it is society.
Lastly, many would acknowledge the fact that religion may be used as a conservative force for preventing any change; women are to remain being second to men. For example, in many religions, women are still barred from serving as priests, Islamic groups, Orthodox Jews and the Catholic Church exclude women from the religious hierarchy and fundamentalism is used to keep women in the home, not have abortions, and encourages the law enforcing male dominance. In some Islamic countries, women are punished for immodest dress e.g. showing flesh, sex before marriage, dating non-Muslims, challenging patriarchal idea and often murdered for dishonouring their family. These examples show how gender inequality, patriarchy and oppression is very prevalent in some religions. However, in the 19th Century American Ellen white founded the 7th day Adventist church, therefore showing that religion is not a conservative force as women are having more of an impact and contribution creating new religious movements.
In conclusion, it is unclear whether women are still oppressed by women as there’s lots of evidence to suggest that they’re not, but also evidence the show that women still are oppressed. The fact that women, in some religions, are able to become priest and are creating NAMs and new religious movements demonstrate how there’s more equality in religion. However, evidence such as the highly oppressive and unfair Islamic rules, patriarchal scriptures and region still being used a s conservative change suggest otherwise, therefore making it difficult to see whether religions till oppresses women.