As readers approach the texts of different religions it’s important for them to have their own techniques and strategies towards understanding it. As one reads about women in religion it’s necessary to keep their techniques in mind to understand and formulate one’s opinion regarding the role of women in religion and society. As a reader, I feel my best approach towards interpreting women in religion is as an analytical hermeneutics of suspicion that questions the point of view, the originality, and the culture surrounding the text. I think my reading habits stems from my future profession.
My reading strategy is very analytical because I want to go to law school, so I find it important to look into an argument and dissects their weakness,
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This argument revolves around the idea of whether or not women have a role in learning, preaching, and practicing certain parts of a religion, which is a common discussion in Judaism and the Torah (OR USE PRIMARY HERE). However, by adding the words “wife of Alfgeir” the author is immediately placing Bergthora in her define and acceptable social and gender role. While she is educated, she is still a woman, and a wife, which removes the authority in her knowledge. Based on a hermeneutics of suspicion point of view this language is used in a way to promote the invisibility of Bergthora, because she’s not refer to as Bergthora, the scholar, the Rabbi, or the Religious Teacher. Instead she is simply the wife of Alfgeir, her learnedness has to be set side by side with her role as a wife, thus bringing to mind what exactly does Bergthora understand, because she is a wife, does she simply know how to please her husband, properly practice her role as a wife, and how to exceptionally take care of children? If the culture of this text was given this would be a perfect time to assume the cultural roles of women during this time period and in this culture, which might give a reader a general idea of what they would be reading and interpreting. After the title has been dissected the next step to understand in the point of view in the
The spiritual development of a community is a component absent in western formulations of modernity. For Deeb’s interlocutors the process of spiritual modernity is manifested in public piety and “authenticated Islam.” Deeb argues that women are essential participants in the construction of piety and “authenticated Islam” within the enchanted modern. Forms of public piety and social participation, including veiling, community service, and hosting Ashura majlis are necessary components in shaping this enchanted modern. Deeb further examines women’s roles in shifting away from a perceived religious backwardness towards a modern society throughout the second part of her book. Her discussion of the Ashura festival commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Husayn illustrates the shift from a traditional (taqlidi) form of religious worship to “authenticated Islam.” Deeb discusses how latam- self-flagellation- is considered backwards and according to pious Shi’i women the authenticated practice involves learning the lessons from Ashura and applying them to everyday life. The differences in traditional verses authenticated Islamic practices of Ashura reflect the increased participation and roles of women in the commemoration, and in the process of developing public piety and “authenticated
Judith Plaskow, a Jewish feminist, searches for ways to incorporate her mostly male-based and male-interpreted faith with her feminist’s ideals in her book of essays, The Coming of Lilith. Her essay covers a wide variety of topics concerning contemporary Judaism and its possibility for flexibility, especially concerning unfair gender roles. Plaskow also discusses how religious traditions can perpetuate a hatred of the “other” religions and how that negatively affects both parties. Judith Plaskow challenges her religious tradition and contemporary culture that is a product of all religions by using sources of Jewish ethics such as the Torah and the Talmud to back up her feminist criticism.
Since the advent of ordered civilization, patriarchal rule has held dominion over the kingdoms of men. Women have had equally as many influential, inspirational and imperative tales to be told as men, however their voices have been marginalized, neglected, iniquitously subjugated, and bound by the ineffable chains of bondage for centuries. One need only possess a cursory knowledge of biblical history to recognize immediately the lowly status of women in the ancient Hebrew world. There is nary a better sourcebook of patriarchy and the proscriptive treatment of women in all of literature than that of the Old Testament. One cannot possibly, however, ignore the stories of Delilah, of Sarah, of Jezebel, and, perhaps most interestingly, of Dinah. Anita Diamant, a contemporary chronicler of Jewish lore and a seminal figure in modern-day historical fiction, expressed the woes and voicelessness experienced by the women of the Old Testament in her novelistic midrash entitled The Red Tent. Narrated from Dinah's perspective, Diamant's novel presents a feministic interpretation and retelling of the story of Dinah, her mothers, and her sisters. Dinah's life in the Book of Genesis is relegated to just a few ambiguous sentences, since she was a woman and the principle authors of the Bible were men with their own bigoted agendas. Had Dinah been given the opportunity to share her story, trials and tribulations, and actual experiences, her account would have doubtlessly been different from that which is commonly accepted. As evidenced by the stories of Dinah, Mary Magdalene, and any number of marginalized genders, religions, and ethnic groups, those who maintain power write history, eclipsing the perspectives of the powerless and the weak and crushi...
In antiquity it was uncommon for a woman like Thecla to ignore her family and make her own choices. The author constructs Thecla as a woman to argue the roles of men and women in religion. Women in her time were expected to be silent, obedient, and they were not allowed to be a leader of a church. Thecla, like Penthesilea and Judith, steps out of the norms of her people and chooses her own way to live. Thecla as a woman goes against religious beliefs of her era and demonstrates that even women can make their own choices.
Dr. Elaine H. Pagel’s essay on “What Became of God the Mother?” gives incite as to why women have become a secondary gender in religions such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Dr. Pagel suggests that masculinity becoming the latter, emerged early on and through history. The essay includes the condemnation of Jewish and Christian followers that accepted feminine symbolism, the characterization of the divine Mother, the rejection of the Gnostics and the exception of Clement of Alexandria.
3. Dan A. Chekki also told that, “Divinity resides in families in which the women are respected; where they are not, there is ruin.” (Dan A. Chekki, page 75)
...ction of Classic Texts." Special Issue: Feminist Philosophy of Religion. Hypatia. 9/22/94. Retrieved from Electronic Library April 16 2001. http://www.elibrary.com
not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a
In examining the Buddhist religion, particularly the role of women in Buddhism, it was. quite clear that the religion of Buddhism is practiced very differently from country to country. The sand is Buddhism is a philosophy of life expounded by Gautama Buddha ("Buddha" means "enlightened"). one"), who lived and taught in northern India in the 6th Century B.C. The Buddha was not a god and the philosophy of Buddhism does not entail any theistic world-view.
Religion is a key aspect to the culture of today’s society, as well as, for thousands of years prior. One major key distinction remains, most religions are male dominated traditions. Catholic, Islamic, and Jewish philosophy truly exemplify this. However, the importance and major role women play within the realm of different theologies is evident. Mary, the Catholic Virgin Mary, the Jewish Rachel, and Islamic Fatima are three important saints whose influence and importance is recognized. The term saint sometimes may blur between mortal beings and heavenly realms. Nonetheless, the three saints named have significance within their particular religious content. Rachel, Mary and Fatima contrast significantly in legends, descriptions and religious philosophies, but are comparable in devotions and reasons revered.
Scholz, S. (2014). Feminist Scholarship on the Old Testament: Introduction. Available: http://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780195393361/obo-9780195393361-0020.xml. Last accessed 19th March 2014.
105). There is a single deity, a male, that is at the head of the religion. Women are made to have secondary status as they are made to be less important than men. Women are in the “old-time” religions made to look like temptresses and vixens, that all they want is for men to just give them whatever they want. In these religions, however, men believe that women are their property and that they are theirs and theirs
The role of women in religious scripture dictates an inferior position in society. Beginning with the creation of Adam and then Eve, as his helpmate. Her purpose was that Adam would not be lonely. This origin provides the ground work for inequality of genders on the basis of religious scripture. The roles prescribed determined that women should be in a subordinate position to man. The female role and relationship with God is defined by the various books of the Old and New Testaments, the reported actions of Jesus Christ, and finally the Qur'an.
Women in the Catholic Church take on many roles, from parishioner to laywoman to nuns. Women parishioners help prepare for the mass. They can be lectors, choir members, CCD instructors, etc. Laywomen “…are the Catholic women traditionally permitted certain ministerial responsibilities (Wessinger, 244).” They work in churches, schools, prisons, etc. Nuns dedicate their lives to religious devotion. They take three vows; poverty, chasity, and obedience. They are to live simple lifestyles. They live their lives teaching others and helping others.
The role women play in today’s society is a drastic change from the previous role. Women used to be confined to the superiority of the man. Physically, mentally, and emotionally abused, belittled, embarrassed, and silenced. These are just a few examples of the emotion from the isolated treatment of the past. A woman’s role in today’s society is more valued than ever before.