Feminism and Religion: Intersections between Western Activism, Theology and Theory

Abstract

What is the relationship of religion in general, or of specific religions, to misogyny and the oppression of women? This article discusses Western feminism and religion, with a focus on North America, examining: 1) the relationship of religion to feminism as a political movement; 2) the role of feminism in religion, especially Western traditions; and 3) contributions of feminist criticism to the academic study of religion. The relationship between feminism and religion is multifaceted. Religion is important in feminist political activism, throughout first, second and third waves. Feminist activism is mutually influential to feminist theory, which approaches questions about gender not as optional, but as imperative to any rigorous analytic perspective. Feminist criticism of religion includes both feminist theology, which focuses on reforming religious traditions to be more egalitarian, and feminist scholarship in the academic study of religion, which challenges scholars to re‐evaluate dominant models, such as the category of religion itself.

The Social Lives of Gender and Religion: Implications for Development Policy

“…For example, religion and spirituality have been central to critiques of growth‐oriented/mainstream development, where the call to revive religious and spiritual values is aligned with a critique of Western models of science, technology and growth. Tomalin (, p. 175) notes the presence of religious environmentalist discourses in the 1960s environmental movement, and Zwissler () documents the important intersections between feminism and Christianity in North American social movements, feminist theory and feminist theology. Religious organizations also participated in all major environment initiatives, including the first UN international environment conference in Stockholm in 1972, the 1992 UNCED Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and the Earth Charter launched in 2000 (Tomalin, , pp.…”

Analysis of the links between feminist thought, political activism, and theological discourse in the struggle for social justice

“…Feminist theologians identify and challenge patriarchal prejudices while prioritising the experiences and agency of marginalised individuals by critically evaluating standard readings of religious texts and beliefs. Within feminist theology, the goal of liberation links with broader attempts to oppose oppressive power systems and uphold human dignity (Zwissler 2012). Political activism motivated by feminist philosophy and principles is critical in effecting revolutionary social change.…”

Contestations of Feminism, Secularism and Religion in the West: The Discursive Othering of Religious and Secular Women

“…These questions have both normative and empirical aspects, addressing whether feminism, secularism and religion can or should be linked, and also where and how feminism, secularism and religion have been intertwined in historical and contemporary forms of social activism. As noted, the relationship between feminism, secularism and religion is debated by feminist scholars and activists alike, and academic discussions often start with attempts to define the terms involved, despite openly acknowledged difficulties in defining what 'feminism', 'religion' and 'secularism' is (see, e.g., Jeffreys 2012, Zwissler 2012, King 2004, Castelli 2001, Kosmin 2007, Laborde 2017.…”