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WST 398 Midterm Package SBU Spring 2014 Robyn DeLuca

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Jan 28
Why it is good to study women in religion 1. The role of religion in shaping the identity of the female a. Immaculate conception refers to the birth of Mary b. Marys submission to God goodness c. In Hinduism if you are woman and not a man, it means you did something wrong in your past life and need to fix by being a perfect wife d. Muslim world Khadija and her support in his prophet hood e. Judaism a good woman is one who is faithful to her husband 2. Womens participation in religion in everyday life a. Orthodox Judaism (up until the mid-1800s) b. Women were required: to cook and keep a kosher home, Torah has 613 commandments, women arent denied it but they are excused, required to teach children, women sit in a separate area when the men pray in the synagogue c. Catholicism yes because men is the breadwinner and women take care of the household stuff, in the church they sit together, women cant lead services, they cant be leaders d. Protestant Christianity have only been around since the 1500s. Women were allowed to preach. Deaconess female Deacon 3. Over time, religion has provided a strong sense of community for women a. Example, African Christian Methodist Church no racial tension with the white people. Women were active in organizing and opportunities of leadership for women. 4. Religion through social activism created leadership positions for women a. In the 1800s, the idea of a republican mother, that her goal and important role to play was to raise her children, husband, sons and brother with ethical values and make them proper leaders. By the seconds half of the 1800s, women in religious settings started to get into the community and make change. They raised money and became active in missionary needs. Now socially acceptable to go far from home and bring the word of Jesus to people, even as physicians and midwives wide roles

Jan 30
Androcentric viewpoint 2nd wave of feminism, desire to study women in religion became strong. 3 waves of feminism and how they relate to women and religion 1st wave of feminism early to mid-1800s That era, not okay for women to speak in front people, but they did for slavery Women learned how to organize and write political pamphlets Seneca Falls mid 1800s where women gathered and talked about rights they didnt have and should have. Lead toward suffrage in 1920. Right to info about birth control was also a moving issue. Temperance movement to make alcohol illegal was also an issue (didnt work out so well)
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2nd wave of feminism 1950s Feminine Mystique domesticity Social movement took hold in the 60s and 70s. Goals of the second wave of feminism were equal opportunity and participation. Idea that everybody should have goals. Fields of changes: Education, government, sports and religion Women in college and law school (law schools didnt take women until 1974) Brought change for white middle class women 3rd wave of feminism Late 80s and early 90s New perspective on womens status Individual choice First frame work and new ideas idea that women should be able to make choices about to live their lives and no be judged. 2nd wave focused one employment and now low view on those who stayed at home, but this wave is to accept and support all the choices that women make Main part of viewing women as objects and subjects 2nd wave for women to act as subject. 2nd wave said, dont want them to be only cheerleader but to be athletes on the field as well. Serena William came during that time. Have fashion while playing. Women showed themselves which conflicted because they were showing themselves as objects but 3rd wave now allowed women to accept that they want Diversity of womens experiences and needs 3rd wave criticized 2nd wave Up until 70s ignored history of women with color whether they have family or not. Firefighter than a fireman, ex. White women set the agenda for so long that only for themselves but didnt take other women into account. Same as men said what they did was right for whole world, what white women did was best for all women.

3 flaws that this androcentric model created: 1) Collapsed the human norm and male norm a. Expected for men was expected for all of humanity 2) The ideal man was the ideal human a. Irrelevant to study women
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3) When women were discussed, it was as an oddity

1896 (not public until 1980s) Gospel of Mary Magdalen [?] Story of Exodus (Jews getting out of Egypt) 2 women protecting Hebrew children when Pharaoh tells them to tell about the first Hebrew born child. Methodological Problems in Study of Women and Religion a) Representing white womens voices as all womens voices a. feminist scholars made the same mistake inappropriately spoke for everyone b. womanist theology women in different religions b) Early feminism theologist (synonym of theologian) erroneously thought religions that were patriarchal on paper, were patriarchal in practice a. Patriarchal in paper had to be patriarchal in practice not true

Authority vs power Paper authority but the influence of how everything went in everyday life, women still had influence in a way not mentioned in physical documents. Methods of feminist theology Descriptive method [study of women and religion] this kind of research accounts for womens lives. It is fact based and data oriented. Only guiding principle that comes into play is that you cant find out about a religion if you only look at the men. Feminist Theology whether women have been treated equally over the past and present. There is an agenda Analyzes treatment of women suggests correctives. Uses Hermeneutic (a technique or viewpoint, what is the method of examining a sacred text, what you technique in doing that) of suspicion [Hermeneutic of suspicion]. It has a very political agenda a viewpoint to evaluate to what is seen as good and not good in religion It has a negative task and positive task Negative task of feminist theology critique of and struggle against the oppression of women due to religion. Positive task reform and reconstruction Why Rejection? [Of Christianity] 1) Male dominance was too deeply embedded 2) Male authorities will never give up power a. power of male authority in establishing Christian churches who says what and participates what will always be in male authority 3) Male imagery of the divine was omnipresent

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a. No getting around that Jesus was a man, only praying to a masculine god, men were closer to god and more spiritual cant have Christianity w/o Christ and Christ was a male. b. Looked at female imagery. Wicca was a way imagine a divine being like herself, toward nature. Spiritual satisfaction and exploration that is for women. c. Feminist theology said Christianity was just broken Why choosing transformation 1) Claim male dominance is not a necessary practice a. When a religion is cleansed of male dominance, it is more core and true b. Others believe cleansing the sexism, you get closer to Christianity 2) Look closely at sacred texts in their original language a. can be mistranslations and mistakes, probably a much more gender-neutral language there rather than a male oriented explanation b. Great barrier not a great priority for women to learn. Ex: just the boys were taught in Judaism. Judeo-Christian tradition embedded, only studied

Feb 4
Documentary on Judaism Hasidic Judaism similar to Sufism [closer to god through more open means] Jews in Israel are less religious and conservative than those in the US Perspective of Jews in the movie, men were the default every Jew. The men go to the temple 3x a day and women were given the choice, the boys studied over the hundreds of years while it didnt say anything about the women Abraham receiving message from God whoever scripted this movie is giving it as fact.

Feb 6
The Hebrew Bible Torah = 5 books of Moses (530-330) (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) Neviim = prophets (Joshua, Samuel, etc.) Ketuvim = writings (Psalms, Proverbs, etc.) Tanakh = Torah + Neviim + Ketuvim Talmud = Mishnah + Gemara

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Talmud Mishnah oral traditions, applies to everyday life (200 CE) Gemara Rabbinic commentaries on the Mishnah (arguments & debates) 2 versions (400, 500 CE) 3 religions have common theme about women Recurring themes about women in Jewish, Christian and Muslim texts 1. Body and Sexuality a. Link women with sexuality and temptation as luring men from their spirituality Women Men Innocent Rule all other beings Manipulative and seductresses Depend on Adam Inferior Women are easily tempted by evil Women caused the fall from Paradise

Women & Men 1) Women obey 2) Its good for women & men to have relationship 3) Men shouldnt let women lead them astray Men & God 1) Men are more loyal 2) Men are made in Gods image 3) Men have to work the soil Women & God 1) Punished with childbirth 2) Not like God

Feb 11
10 commandments Dont steal Dont lie Dont commit adultery

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Dont kill Good to thy neighbor Honor thy mother and father Observe the Sabbath Dont take Lords name in vain Im the Lord your God Dont make sculptured images (when Moses was gone for 40 days)

Story of the midwives A while after Joseph lived in Egypt advisor to Pharaoh and prosperity to land (Yusuf A) A new kind arose over Egypt and did not know about Joseph Egyptians slaved the children of Israel with breaking labor Kind spoke to the 2 midwives and told them to kill the boys when seen. They feared God and did not kill the boys. Their names were actually mentioned in the Bible (dont know Noahs wife and many other names) but their names were mentioned. Also, their profession as midwives was mentioned which shows value. And lastly they defied pharaoh. Midrash First reading of Adam and Eve Eve risk taker Monogamy vs. Polygamy Usually monogamy is favored Usually polygamous marriages lead to trouble Eve eating apple makes human beings mortal and bringing death to the world said by a Rabbi

Feb 20 End of Judaism

The call for Change Jewish Feminist Theory 1. Jewish Feminist Theory Traditional idea of womens Jewish responsibilities A) Keeping a Jewish Home B) Pesach or Passover a. (during Sabbath, need to look clean and proper, need food to be made b/c you cant cook during Sabbath) C) Laws of niddah a. Rabbinic laws when couples are allowed to have sex. b. Immerse yourself in pool, need to be as naked as possible for spiritual renewing
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A lot of non-jews think Hanukkah is as important as Christmas but its not, it only looks important because it is near Christmas. Passover is almost as important as Christmas. --some text-Orthodox Jewish feminist Participate more in public worship, not as a way of replacing their roles but expanding them. Many of their efforts have been focused on serious studies of Hebrew and rabbinic texts. A. Serious Stufy of Hebrew and rabbinic texts Example: Rosh Hodesh (New Moon) Example: women only prayer groups Usually man reading and giving lecture from the portion, man coming as role model way, women only prayer groups have created that opportunity. B. Changing Jewish Law a. In orthodox it takes a very long time 1) Agunah a. Husband is feared dead or not there to give the divorce. II. Jewish Feminism as a call for equal access A. Inclusion in a Minyan a. certain worship and prayers B. Receiving aliyot a. Plural for Aliya, big honor for reading and receiving blessing before reading the Torah. Women didnt have that honor. C. Wearing traditional religious clothing a. Camp, immersed in Jewish life. People support Jewish camps because those who go are more likely to retain their religious values than those who dont D. Ceremonies paralleling those traditionally celebrated by men 1) Bat/bar Mitzvah 1. Girls wouldnt read from the Torah but from the one after the Torah and not on the Saturday but on Friday evening. Some wouldnt be allowed to be placed on the center while reading, theyd have to stand on the side 2) Baby naming ceremonies for girls 1. Circumcision for boys and celebration but nothing for girls. For girls it was baby naming 3) Womens ordination as rabbis 1. women gone through the same schooling and training but still not called rabbis. III. Feminism as Transformation Susanna Heshcel Renowned writer from radical POV. Feminism

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Judith Plascow Demanding new understanding of Torah

Major Feminist Critiques of the Jewish Tradition 1) The image of God as male Excluding women Some prayers have been changed with gender neutral languages Instead of King Sovereign Lord Eternal Master creator of the universe Avot vimahot prayer Referring to God as breath of life or having partnership 2. The legitimacy of halacha Is law a male form? 3. Judaism as Androcentric b. The Torah suggests that women are not part of the covenant c. The responsibilities of Jews men are described as the responsibilities of Jews (males are normative Jews) 4. Chosenness as antithetical to feminism Chosenness implies hierarchy in terms of Jews and other peoples Replacing the concept of chosenness with that of Jewish distinctness 5. Challenging Male/Female Complementarily Rebecca Alpert, The notion of male/female complementarity makes it impossible for lesbians to become fully integrated into the Jewish community. 3 kinds of Feminist scholars Orthodox Keep their responsibilities but wanted to expand Conservative and reform Leadership activities, life cycle events, and language
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Radical feminists Tear and create something new God is never mentioned as male Hes not boss but a partner

Feb 27 Start of Christianity

Christianity Roman Catholic have been separated by claim, culture and beliefs Both have episcopal Every bishop is responsible for a community Mass replicates last supper Jesus was born into a Hebrew society and Egyptian slaves Jesus said god would liberate Israel, arrested and crucified Against Jewish religion to have body hanging Jewish was crucified because he was a threat Christianity was a sect of a Jewish religion (?) Temple destroyed by Romans Roman Emperor forced all Jews to leave the empire Early Christian church became even more separate Christians persecuted Jews First 3 centuries of Common Era persecution The charges against Christians were those who saw them as a political threat Christians refused to pay to pagan/roman gods Despite roman persecution, bigger threat philosophical challenge = Gnostics in Christianity who emphasized the spiritual nature of human beings, chief concern was to be free through knowledge Christian bible includes the Jewish scriptures = Old Testament 2nd establish bishops, successors of the apostles lived with Jesus and experienced the resurrection Creed brief summary of what Christians believe Supreme defenders of orthodoxy
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Bishop, now pope, is supreme authority for whole Church 31bce Augustus govt was flawed, no clear established rule for succession in Roman Empire, shaken by civil war, roman army dominated Constantine became Christian in 312 CE, gave Christians peace and security

Fundamental of Christian belief, by the end of 8th century, gods incarnation in Jesus East enjoyed stability while west had anarchy Rome Bishop of Rome chief civic leader

Roman Catholic and Orthodox Church gap widened Theological disputes dispute over 3 persons of the trinity

Spain exiled Jews, a day before Columbus left for voyage Spanish Muslims were offered the same choice, convert or exile 714 Spain was dominated by Muslim army Eastern emperors called west for help from Muslim and they received the help Roman Catholic Church responded Palestine, sanctified by Jesus, was ruled by Muslims 1095 crusades began 3 religions Crusade take holy land from Muslim Control lasted until 13th century 1453 taken by Ottoman Turks from Constantinople 1965 churches & masses can be in own language instead of Latin 1965 Catholic Church felt they were losing followers Nuns should be more engaged in society Which books should be included called New Testament Western Catholics back from when Jewish said dont pray to idols (no paganism) that idea is still firmly planted in the beginning of Christianity

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Mar 4
-Enter missing text1. The words of Jesus a. Respect for Women b. Divorce [in old vs new testament] Jesus speaks to men and women and requires the same behavior. c. Performing miracles i. women are included in the miracles d. Women financially support Jesus and the apostles and participate in his ministry i. widows have most money Example: in the Gospel of Luke Example: Mary and Martha Women witnesses resurrection and bringing that word

1. Recurring Theme about Women in Jewish, Christian and Islamic text a. Women as Evil b. Body and sexuality The First letter to the Corinthians from Paul Lessons about sexuality From 1 Corinthians Sex is not a good thing, keeps people from being spiritual Better to be celibate, like Paul Marriage distracts people from spirituality Virgins and celibates are holy in body and spirit Pleasing your spouse has nothing to do with God

Matthew 14 verses 36-39 A widow is more blessed than a married woman The Death of John the Baptist Womens sexuality will make men do immoral things. Women will achieve what they want through manipulation 2. Witches Malleus Maleficarum The Malleus Malefic arum (The Witches Hammer) Complete instructions on the prosecution of witches. Published in Germany in 1486.
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Authors: Two inquisitors of the Dominican order. -accusing midwives of generosity. They knew about abortions and what to eat for it. Hundreds of women killed at this time.

Mar 6
Lives of Nuns 1) Sister Agatha 2) Inspirational Nuns 3) Nuns identify mission Priests & Women 1) Duties of the confessor 2) Hearing confessions of women 3) Advice to girls from a priest Marriage & Sexuality 1) Six arent enough 2) Pastoral approach 3) Rest content Catholic Women as Leaders 1) Catholic women as citizens 2) A catholic womans political 3) Would Jesus pull the switch? The Meaning of Mary 1) One the meaning 2) On the femininity of God 3) Mary as model for collaboration Readings: Priests and Women Priest gave advice on lipstick bad because leaves marks on mans soul Always cover hair in church, will distract the men and theyll pull men away from spirituality Advice to women from priest: should read anything all the time. Spiritual reading before sleeping, purify you before sleeping.

Marriage and sexuality six arent enough:

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More children = happier 4 kids in less than 5 years Didnt like it but later on did Supposed to have as many children as possible Belief more children = Gods gifts and fulfill His wants Next reading: (1906) Education for women should be for her love for domesticity, in w/e position shes found, she should be devoted and submissive 2 particular: patience and docility Docility husband is the lord, the wives children and servants are subject to him and not question his authority. Wife and husband get into an argument, she should not backlash and wait till his anger subsides, and she shouldnt have the last word ; their job is to keep the peace Pastoral approach to homosexuality (1988): Letter to the parents how to deal with homosexuality with children Were all Gods children and to accept children, if not, they may run away. Yes, there could be help but no remedy and dont force child Homosexuality isnt chosen but given so not sinful God loves every person as a unique person, and sexuality is part of the uniqueness Dont walk away from families and communities if you find out about your sexuality The Meaning of Mary (1934) Women were seen as slaves and seen as victim of women passions Womanhood seen in different light. Her gentleness and purity is new sense of womanhood How women should go in the traditional way of being like Mary On feminity of God Mary is Androgynous shes feminine and masculine Women are supposed to be feminine and domestic Mary isnt just feminist but a leader by playing a masculine role 3rd reading (1988)

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View of Mary docile, passive; but that belief was slacking and not enough for women to look up to. How she was a leader with belief in God. View was very one-dimensional Catholic women as leaders 1927 catholic women as citizens Catholic women did not play a strong enough roles in society and didnt take roles in teaching in school which was the reason for high crime rates. They were strangely silent, didnt take initiative, lacked leadership, not socially active Catholics womans political saga (1985) Prochoice for abortion people never heard of that before People brought religion into campaign Sin for her to be outside the home She thought that she should keep her opinion out of public opinion Archbishop OConnor called her out Would Jesus pull the switch? (1997) A Nun who asked to help with forgiving the sins of death row inmates A lot of people were upset She sat in for 1 execution, Peter, considers it second baptism Common theme to all three if catholic women did something outside the norm, theyd automatically be criticized for it

Mar 25 End of Christianity

Idea of liberation, that Christianity should be a liberating faith Women closer to earth because theyre female A call for change: Christian feminist theology Christian theology is actually male theology I. Common Christian feminist theological themes/purposes a. To understand faith in God from the perspective of a womens experience. b. Criticism: Christianity has failed to bring the Gospel [Greek for Good News] of Jesus to bear on the issue of sexism, racism, and classism [slaves] c. Criticism of church life as androcentric

-Preaching rarely focuses on positive biblical readings about women -Male language and imagery used in the liturgy
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d. Criticism of colonialism and Christian missionaries Matilda Gage did research in eastern cultures. She saw in Egypt how people worshipped goddesses A. Revolutionary feminist theology a. Christianity is irredeemably patriarchal, even anti-woman Second wave feminists representing this pt. view include Mary Daly and Carol Christ B. Reformist Christian feminist theology a. Looking for modest changes with existing Church cultures Reformist feminists: in Protestant denominations and in Roman Catholicism Opposed to gender bias in the treatment of women and their families, churches, and civil societies C. Reconstructionist Christian feminist theology a. Reconstructionist feminists support reinterpreting the traditional symbols and idea of Christianity w/o abandoning the God revealed in Jesus Christ. W/in 2nd wave: God empowers women for the fullness of life the reign of God, liberates and empowers women for the fullness of life Gustavo Gutierrez in 1968, religion should liberate them from economic poverty and political oppression. Methods of Christian Reconstructionist Feminist theology 1. Attending to experiences of patriarchy and androcentrism 2. Feminist Interpretation of Bible and Church Teachings If biblical texts, church teaching, or an interpretation of either odes not liberate, then either it must not be true or has been interpreted Hermeneutics Methodology (Principles and methods) of biblical interpretation Feminist Hermeneutics the theory and art of biblical interpretation in the interest of womens full humanity 3. Liberating Action Creating societies that are more just and more in keeping with the reign of God and proclaimed by Jesus is the most important goal of Christian feminist ideologies.

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