Feminism and Religion
Many feminists regard religion as a patriarchal institution that reflects and perpetuates this inequality. This is despite the fact the formal teaching of religion stresses equality between the sexes.
Evidence of Patriachy 1. Religious organisations are mainly male dominated. Karen Armstrong sees the exclusion of when from priesthood of most religions as evidence of women’s oppression. 2. Places of worship often segregate the sexes and marginalize women. E.g., menstruating women are not allowed to touch the Qu’ran 3. Sacred texts feature doings of a male God. Prophets usually written and interpreted by men. Stories often contain female stereotypes, e.g., Eve being banished from the garden of Eden 4. Religious laws and customs may give women fewer rights then men, e.g., access to divorce. Decision making & dress code.
However, some feminists argue that religion has not always seen women as subordinate to me.
Karen Armstrong: Early religion puts women at the centre. E.g., throughout the middle east fertility centres and female priesthoods were found until 6000 years ago.
However, about 4000 years ago, we began to see a rise of monotheism & a single all powerful male God.
Saadwi agrees with Armstrong. In the following: * Monotheism helped to legitimate the power men have over women.
“Religion is a tool of patriarchy & is caused by the misinterpretation of religious belief” E.g., Eve is now portrayed at temptress & ignore her ‘knowledgeable intelligence’ that was described in the Old Testament.
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