Alternative perspectives - Alternative perspectives - Feminism linked to religion
Helen Watson (1994) Alexandra Wright (1994)
Religion as a social structure is controlled by men to perpetuate patriarchy.
Argues that veiling of Islamic women can be Notes that Reform Religion is used to control Women aren’t viewed highly
positive, due to the fact that it stops them from Judaism has allowed and oppress women. or frequently seen at all.
being judged on their appearance and dealing women to become
with stares. Rabbis since 1972. Mostly, viewed as Majority of religious
maternal and can’t leaders and icons are
It also combats the domination of have sex (pure) typically male.
Western approaches, protecting their
actual identity and culture.
Oppressive rules Women are given harsher
around clothing, punishments if they go Gender and
Alternative location, education against their religion.
religion
perspectives -
Leila Badawi
(1994) Women appeared to hold an
important place within religions
Highlights aspects of Islam which are until about 4000 years ago.
positive for women
↑ Islamic women keep their own family name when they get married. Beliefs - Men began to dominate and use religion to justify
Feminist theory their aggressive behaviours. A more aggressive
of religion spirituality was eventually introduced with a male
Nawal El Saadawi (1980)
God being adopted by all religions.
Looks at female oppression in the Arab world and Islam.
Arab girls are often victims of sexual aggression by men.
She believes religion has started to become patriarchal Karen Armstrong
through men misinterpreting religious beliefs. (1993)
Jean Holm (1994)
She believes men distort religion to Points out that:
serve their own interests to legitimate Simone de Looked at inequality in the ● Women occupy a marginal
and justify women’s oppression.
Beauvoir major religions and identified position in most major religions
Religion is not some ways in which women are ● Women continue to be excluded
(1953)
oppressive exploited by different beliefs. from key roles in many religions
itself. Believes men generally control
Examples include:
most religious beliefs. ↑ Despite the fact that women
● Buddhism - Both men (monks) and women often participate more in
(nuns) possess religious roles however monks organised religion than men.
In modern societies religion is an are superior to all nuns.
instrument of deception. ● Christianity - Many influential ideas were worked out by
men during initial centuries of the Church’s history.
Women are deceived by religion and ● Hinduism - Brahmanic priests are only men.
think they are the same as men despite
evident inequality. However, Holm does believe changes are occurring with a
slow reduction of inequality.
Helen Watson (1994) Alexandra Wright (1994)
Religion as a social structure is controlled by men to perpetuate patriarchy.
Argues that veiling of Islamic women can be Notes that Reform Religion is used to control Women aren’t viewed highly
positive, due to the fact that it stops them from Judaism has allowed and oppress women. or frequently seen at all.
being judged on their appearance and dealing women to become
with stares. Rabbis since 1972. Mostly, viewed as Majority of religious
maternal and can’t leaders and icons are
It also combats the domination of have sex (pure) typically male.
Western approaches, protecting their
actual identity and culture.
Oppressive rules Women are given harsher
around clothing, punishments if they go Gender and
Alternative location, education against their religion.
religion
perspectives -
Leila Badawi
(1994) Women appeared to hold an
important place within religions
Highlights aspects of Islam which are until about 4000 years ago.
positive for women
↑ Islamic women keep their own family name when they get married. Beliefs - Men began to dominate and use religion to justify
Feminist theory their aggressive behaviours. A more aggressive
of religion spirituality was eventually introduced with a male
Nawal El Saadawi (1980)
God being adopted by all religions.
Looks at female oppression in the Arab world and Islam.
Arab girls are often victims of sexual aggression by men.
She believes religion has started to become patriarchal Karen Armstrong
through men misinterpreting religious beliefs. (1993)
Jean Holm (1994)
She believes men distort religion to Points out that:
serve their own interests to legitimate Simone de Looked at inequality in the ● Women occupy a marginal
and justify women’s oppression.
Beauvoir major religions and identified position in most major religions
Religion is not some ways in which women are ● Women continue to be excluded
(1953)
oppressive exploited by different beliefs. from key roles in many religions
itself. Believes men generally control
Examples include:
most religious beliefs. ↑ Despite the fact that women
● Buddhism - Both men (monks) and women often participate more in
(nuns) possess religious roles however monks organised religion than men.
In modern societies religion is an are superior to all nuns.
instrument of deception. ● Christianity - Many influential ideas were worked out by
men during initial centuries of the Church’s history.
Women are deceived by religion and ● Hinduism - Brahmanic priests are only men.
think they are the same as men despite
evident inequality. However, Holm does believe changes are occurring with a
slow reduction of inequality.
