Women and World Religions: Historical Perspectives
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Convened by the Peace Council and the Center for Health and Social
CHSP_Report_cover.qxd Printer: Please adjust spine width if necessary. Additional copies of this report may be obtained from: ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. International Committee for the Peace Council The Center for Health and Social Policy 2702 International Lane, Suite 108 847 25th Avenue Convened by The Peace Council and The Center for Health and Social Policy Madison, WI 53704 San Francisco, CA 94121 United States United States Chiang Mai, Thailand 1-608-241-2200 Phone 1-415-386-3260 Phone February 29–March 3, 2004 1-608-241-2209 Fax 1-415-386-1535 Fax [email protected] [email protected] www.peacecouncil.org www.chsp.org ............................................................................................................. Copyright © 2004 by The Center for Health and Social Policy and The Peace Council ............................................................................................................. Convened by The Peace Council and The Center for Health and Social Policy Chiang Mai, Thailand February 29–March 3, 2004 Contents Introduction 5 Stephen L. Isaacs and Daniel Gómez-Ibáñez The Chiang Mai Declaration: 9 Religion and Women: An Agenda for Change List of Participants 13 Background Documents World Religions on Women: Their Roles in the Family, 19 Society, and Religion Christine E. Gudorf Women and Religion in the Context of Globalization 49 Vandana Shiva World Religions and the 1994 United Nations 73 International Conference on Population and Development A Report on an International and Interfaith Consultation, Genval, Belgium, May 4-7, 1994 3 Introduction Stephen L. Isaacs and Daniel Gómez-Ibáñez Forty-eight religious and women’s leaders participated in a “conversation” in Chi- ang Mai, Thailand between February 29 and March 3, 2004 to discuss how, in an era of globalization, religions could play a more active role in advancing women’s lives. -
Feminist Theories in the Sociology of Religion1
АУЧНЫЙ АУЧНЫЙ 17 Cvitković I.. РЕЗУЛЬТАТ РЕЗУЛЬТАТ Н Н FEMINIST THEORIES IN THE SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION УДК 316.2 CVITKOVIĆ I. ЦВИТКОВИЧ И. FEMINIST THEORIES IN THE SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION1 ФЕМИНИСТСКИЕ ТЕОРИИ В СОЦИОЛОГИИ РЕЛИГИИ Abstract Аннотация Sociology could not be bypassed by Социология не может не подвергаться the impact of feminist theories. Women’s влиянию феминистских теорий. Населе- population in religions. The increase of ние женщин в религии. Увеличение ин- interest in women’s religiousness on areas тереса к религиозности женщин в облас- of ex Yugoslavia. Why have women been тях, являющихся бывшими территориями ignored and marginalised by the society and Югославии. Почему женщины игнориро- the Church? What are feminist theories? Two вались и маргинализировались общест- kinds of feminist theories. Anthropocentrism. вом и Церковью? Что собой представ- An attitude of traditionalists to feminism. ляют феминистские теории? Два вида A woman in written religious sources. феминистских теорий. Антропоцентризм. How much has the stand view on the Отношение традиционалистов к феми- period influenced the position of women in низму. Женщина в письменных религиоз- religions? A woman in traditions of the Asian ных источниках. На сколько устоявшиеся and Far East religions. A woman in the взгляды определенного периода повлия- Abraham’s religions (Judaism, Christianity, ли на положение женщин в религии? Жен- Islam). When do feminist theories appear? щина в традициях азиатских и дальнево- Gender studies. Feminist theories in different сточных религий. Женщина в религиях religious traditions. What is required in Авраама (иудаизм, христианство, ислам). feminist theories? The position of a woman Когда появляются феминистской теории? in society and culture. A woman in the role of Гендерные исследования. -
Women's Studies in the History of Religions
1 Women’s Studies in the History of Religions DAVID KINSLEY On the most archaic levels of culture, living as a human being is in itself a religious act, for alimentation, sexual life, and work have a sacramental value. In other words, to be— or rather, to become—a man means to be “religious.” —Mircea Eliade, A History of Religious Ideas o appreciate the radical impact women’s studies has had on the discipline Tof history of religions, it is necessary first to describe briefly how the his- tory of religions understands its task. The history of religions, which claims to be the objective, scientific study of religion, sets as its task nothing less than the study, in historical and cross- cultural perspective, of all human religious phenomena. It includes in its pur- view, not only sophisticated, literate, philosophical, and theological materials, but also popular expressions of human religiosity such as festivals, life cycle rituals, myths, and practices that are found only in oral traditions. The history of religions seeks to avoid an approach to human religiosity that privileges cer- tain materials as “higher” and others as “lower.” It assumes that all expres- sions of human religiosity are worthy of study. In the words of Mircea Eliade: “For the historian of religions, every manifestation of the sacred is important: every rite, every myth, every belief or divine figure reflects the experience of the sacred and hence implies the notions of being, of meaning, and of truth.”1 History of religions does not seek to evaluate one religion (or religious expression) vis-à-vis another with a view to declaring one superior to the other. -
Women's Ijtihad and Lady Amin's Islamic Ethics On
Article Women’s Ijtihad and Lady Amin’s Islamic Ethics on Womanhood and Motherhood Ladan Rahbari Centre for Research on Culture and Gender, Ghent University, 9000 Gent, Belgium; [email protected] Received: 13 December 2019; Accepted: 10 February 2020; Published: 13 February 2020 Abstract: Women’s position, identity, and value in Islam have been affected by androcentric interpretations of the Qur’an and hadith throughout Islamic history. Women’s roles in society, as well as their position vis‐à‐vis Islamic sources and authority, have been shaped by these interpretations. In Shi’a Islam, due to the majority male clergy’s resistance, women have rarely reached the highest loci of Shi’i authority and jurisprudence. However, there have been women scholars who have transgressed these normative frameworks. Lady Amin, who was one of the most prominent Iranian theologians of the 19th and 20th centuries, is a notable example. Lady Amin had great knowledge of jurisprudence and gained the status of mujtahida at the age of forty. Her scholarly work addressed not only interpretations of the Qur’an and hadith, but also women’s issues and gender politics of her time. This study addresses women’s ijtihad in Shi’a Islam and investigates Lady Amin’s teachings on the topics of womanhood and motherhood. This study focuses on Lady Amin’s book of Islamic ethics, titled Ways of Happiness: Suggestions for Faithful Sisters, written as a Shi’i source of guidance with a specific focus on women and gender in Shi’a Islam. Keywords: Women’s ijtihad; Islamic feminism; Lady Amin; motherhood; Shi’a Islam; womanhood 1. -
Theo 278 Women and Religion
STANDARD SYLLABUS Women and Religion THEO 278 This course will study the role of women in three of the major world religious traditions. Through study of the teachings (e.g., the understandings of the divine, the human person, moral action in the world, the role of marriage and sexuality, religious rituals) of the religious tradition(s), particularly as they affect women, students will become aware of the influence of religion on gender roles, and how women in the contemporary world are reinterpreting their religious traditions. By studying the ways both historical and contemporary women relate these teachings to their lives, students will learn how women and men subject these traditions to critique by drawing on the core teachings of the traditions themselves as well as by contemporary ideas of gender equality, in order to work for greater justice in religion as well as in society. Students will study some of the issues that engage contemporary scholars of women and religion, such as scriptural interpretation, violence against women and children, and women’s religious leadership. Knowledge Area(s) satisfied: Theological and Religious Studies Knowledge Skill(s) Developed: Critical Thinking Skills and Dispositions Values Requirement(s) satisfied: Understanding Diversity in the United States or the World, Understanding Spirituality or Faith in Action in the World Learning Objectives: Knowledge Area (Theological and Religious Studies Knowledge): By successfully passing this course, students will: Learn to analyze and interpret religious texts, including scriptural texts, using standard scholarly methods and tools. Since the three major western religious traditions are all based on sacred texts (the Tanakh, the Bible, the Qur an), and since these texts provide an authoritative source for religious teachings, students will study both the ways that traditional interpretation has understood texts related to women, as well as feminist interpretations of these texts. -
Women in Church and Society Women in Church and Society
Women in church and society Report of research done by a research team at the PU vir CHO Fika J. van Rensburg School of Biblical Studies and Bible Languages Potchefstroomse Universiteit vir CHO POTCHEFSTROOM Email: [email protected] Abstract Women in church and society: Report of research done by a research team at the PU vir CHO The research project “Women in Church and Society” was con- ducted under the auspices of one of the focus areas for research and postgraduate education at the Potchefstroomse Universiteit vir Christelike Hoër Onderwys: “Reformed Theology and the Develop- ment of the South African Society”. This focus area is based in the Faculty of Theology (PU vir CHO) and is directed by Herrie van Rooy. Project 2 of this focus area is “The socio-historic context of the Bible and its implications for the development of South African Society” and is under the leadership of Fika J. van Rensburg. The first sub-project of Project 2 to be completed is “Women in Church and Society”. It commenced in 2000 and had its fourth and final workshop in September 2002. It was managed by a five-person executive committee and had the following categories of collabo- rators: 16 PU vir CHO researchers, 10 researchers from other South African universities, 6 international researchers, 19 masters’ and doctoral students, and 21 researchers with special expertise in relevant areas. In total 48 papers1 were read and discussed at the four workshops; and most of them have either been published or are in the process of being published as articles in accredited journals. -
Feminist Spirituality
Santa Clara University Scholar Commons Jesuit School of Theology 1996 Feminist Spirituality: Christian Alternative or Alternative to Christianity? Sandra Marie Schneiders Jesuit School of Theology/Graduate Theological Union, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/jst Part of the Religion Commons Recommended Citation Schneiders, Sandra Marie “Feminist Spirituality: Christian Alternative or Alternative to Christianity?” In Women’s Spirituality: Resources for Christian Development, 2nd ed. Edited by Joann Wolski Conn, 30-67. New York/Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1996. Reprinted with permission. This Book Chapter is brought to you for free and open access by Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Jesuit School of Theology by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Feminist Spirituality: Christian Alternative or Alternative to Christianity? Sandra M. Schneiders Let us consider the issue of fe minism in relatio n to Christi an spirituality, i.e . to the area of lived experi ence of the fa ith. It must be noted , however, that the term "spiritua lity" is no lo nger an exclusively Christian , no r even an exclusively reli gious, term . Not surprisingly, therefore , fe minist spirituality is not necessaril y a C hristi an o r even a religio us pheno meno n. In fact , however, as we shall see, fe minist spirituality whether Christi an or not tends to be deeply re ligious. Consequently, o ur first task is to define spirituality and specify the meaning of C hristi an spirituality so that we can then raise the questi o n of how fe minism is related to spirituality and fin all y how feminist spirituality is related to Chris tian spirituality. -
Healers of Our Time: Women, Faith, and Justice a Mapping Report
HEALERS OF OUR TIME: WOMEN, FAITH, AND JUSTICE A MAPPING REPORT Conducted by The Institute for Women’s Policy Research Supplemented by Women in Theology and Ministry Candler School of Theology, Emory University October 2008 The Sister Fund Copyright 2008 tsf-cover-spine-spread.indd 2 11/18/08 8:54:22 AM The Sister Fund ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many individuals contributed to the produc- Professor and Director of Women in Theology tion of this study. At The Sister Fund, Dr. Helen and Ministry, and Hellena Moon, doctoral student LaKelly Hunt, President, and Kanyere Eaton, in the Graduate Division of Religion, the research Executive Director, conceived of the project and team extended the original pool of women’s planned its original content and design. Lilyane organizations and expanded the academic Glamben, former Deputy Director, served as research review. They also revised and edited the project director. Julia A. Cato, Program Officer, original report. Team members included Michelle and Linda Kay Klein, Director of Research and Hall, Ayanna Abi-Kyles, Josey Bridges, and Anne Communications, were invaluable members of Hardison-Moody. the project team. Lake Research Partners and Auburn Media The original study was conducted by the provided helpful review of the content and the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR). project as a whole. Elizabeth Perrachione served Dr. Amy Caiazza, former Director of Democracy as editor, with assistance from Leslie Srajek. The and Society Programs, served as primary Sister Fund hosted two separate sessions, May researcher and author. Anna Danziger, Mariam 10, 2007, and February 27, 2008, at which a K. -
Religion and Lgbtq People in Us History
Published online 2016 www.nps.gov/subjects/tellingallamericansstories/lgbtqthemestudy.htm LGBTQ America: A Theme Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer History is a publication of the National Park Foundation and the National Park Service. We are very grateful for the generous support of the Gill Foundation, which has made this publication possible. The views and conclusions contained in the essays are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government. © 2016 National Park Foundation Washington, DC All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced without permission from the publishers. Links (URLs) to websites referenced in this document were accurate at the time of publication. THEMES The chapters in this section take themes as their starting points. They explore different aspects of LGBTQ history and heritage, tying them to specific places across the country. They include examinations of LGBTQ community, civil rights, the law, health, art and artists, commerce, the military, sports and leisure, and sex, love, and relationships. STRUGGLES21 IN BODY AND SPIRIT: RELIGION AND LGBTQ PEOPLE IN US HISTORY Drew Bourn Introduction The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once observed that eleven o'clock on Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in the United States.1 But segregation goes beyond a separation between black churches and white churches. There is a tremendous variety of religious communities in the US - Hindus, Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Pagans, and others. -
GENDER, RELIGION and SOCIETY a Study of Women and Convent Life in Coptic Orthodox Egypt
GENDER, RELIGION and SOCIETY A Study of Women and Convent Life in Coptic Orthodox Egypt Report from a Minor Field Study by Karolina Jeppson A Master Thesis in Cultural Anthropology Department of Cultural Anthropology and Ethnology Uppsala University Supervisors: Per Brandström and Ing-Britt Trankell May 2003 Gender, Religion and Society. A Study of Women and Convent Life in Coptic Orthodox Egypt Abstract This study deals with the interrelations between gender, religion and society in the context of contemporary Coptic Orthodox Egypt, with a focus on Coptic nuns and convent life. In the wake of religious revitalization in today’s Egypt, Muslim as well as Coptic, monasticism has strengthened its position in the Coptic culture. New religious institutions have been established for women and an increasing number of women choose to live a monastic life. The study explores in what way women’s choice to live a convent life is related to the situation of Coptic women in society. By discussing from the approach of female agency, constraints and possibilities for individual action and gender role patterns, answers are sought to the question why women opt for monasticism. The values and virtues in monasticism correspond to established values in society such as values of purity and virginity. Women who choose a monastic lifestyle fully embrace these values, and are hence enjoying a position that elevates their status as women within religion and within society. The women in convents experience their domain of agency as increased, due to their possibility to focus on their aims, which would have been restricted by ordinary family life. -
“Christianity & the Ordination of Women”
! Symposium on Religion and Politics WOMEN IN RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP “Christianity & the Ordination of Women” Reading Packet 2 2016 24!quincy!road,!chestnut!hill,!massachusetts!!02467! tel: 617.552.2271!!!!!fax:!617.552.1863 email:[email protected]!!!!!web:!www.bc.edu/boisi! ! ! BOSTON& COLLEGE& BOISI!CENTER!! FOR!RELIGION!AND!AMERICAN!PUBLIC!LIFE! ! Symposium on Religion and Politics WOMEN AS LEADERS IN RELIGIONS “Christianity & the Ordination of Women” Table of Contents: Ed. Leona M. Anderson and Pamela Dickey Young, Women and Religious Traditions, (Oxford University Press, 2004) “Women in Christianity” by Pamela Dickey Young 1 Gary Macy, The Hidden History of Women’s Ordination: Female Clergy in the Medieval West, (Oxford University Press, 2007). “The State of the Question” (Chapter 1) 15 Katharine Jefferts Schori, “The Challenges and Opportunity of Women in Religious Leadership: The Episcopal Example,” Berkeley forum, January 15, 2015 35 Tish Harrison Warren, “We Can agree to Disagree on Women’s Ordination,” Christianity Today, November 8, 2013 39 24!quincy!road,!chestnut!hill,!massachusetts!!02467! tel: 617.552.2271!!!!!fax:!617.552.1863 email:[email protected]!!!!!web:!www.bc.edu/boisi! ! ! 11/30/2015 The Challenges and Opportunity of Women in Religious Leadership: The Episcopal Example 11/30/2015 The Challenges and Opportunity of Women in Religious Leadership: The Episcopal Example 11/30/2015 The Challenges and Opportunity of Women in Religious Leadership: The Episcopal Example 11/30/2015 The Challenges and Opportunity of Women -
The Implications of the Dominance of Women in the Zimbabwean Music Industry for the Ordination of Women
Scriptura 86 (2004), pp. 234-240 THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE DOMINANCE OF WOMEN IN THE ZIMBABWEAN MUSIC INDUSTRY FOR THE ORDINATION OF WOMEN Lovemore Togarasei Department of Religious Studies Classics and Philosophy University of Zimbabwe Abstract There are numerous questions on gender and theology that have to be addressed in the African context. This article focuses on the dominance of women in the Zimbabwean gospel music industry. It opens with a brief history of the place of women in traditional music in Zimbabwe, then discusses gospel music and the dominance of women in this type of music. The possible factors that cause the dominance of women in the gospel music industry are then considered. The article ends with a section on the theological implications of such dominance of women, focusing on the issue of women ordination. The article concludes that, if the dominance of women in African Christianity and the teaching of the New Testament are considered, there are no convincing grounds for denying women ordination. 1. Introduction Gospel music has revolutionised the music industry in Zimbabwe. It has not only attracted followers from all age groups and social classes, it has also penetrated all sectors of the society. One can hear the music in churches, at wedding parties, at graduation parties, at birthday parties and even in beer gardens. There is, however, an interesting trend in Zimbabwean gospel music. Whereas, in other “secular” forms of music, men dominate, Zimbabwean gospel music is dominated by women. Why women have taken the gospel music industry by storm needs theological reflection that would address issues of gender in the African context.