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Christian feminism is an aspect of feminist theology which seeks to advance and understand the equality of men and women morally, socially, spiritually, and in leadership from a Christian perspective. Christian feminists argue that contributions by women in that direction are necessary for a complete understanding of Christianity. While there is no standard set of beliefs among Christian feminists, most agree that God does not discriminate on the basis of biologically-determined characteristics such as sex. Their major issues are the ordination of women, male dominance in Christian marriage, and claims of spiritual deficiency and inferiority of the abilities of women to interpret and exposit scripture compared to men. They also are concerned with issues such as the balance of parenting between mothers and fathers and the overall treatment of women in the church.
Certain Christians who sympathize with women's issues are uncomfortable with the term feminism. One reason for this discomfort is the claim by some conservatives that Christian feminists are theological descendants of radical secular feminists such as Mary Daly, Betty Friedan, and Daphne Hampson.citation needed However, Christian feminists appeared on the scene much earlier than secular feminists (see "History" below). Increasingly, the term Christian egalitarianism is preferred by those advocating gender equality and equity among Christians.
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The Greek philosopher Aristotle had taught that women are intrinsically inferior. Aristotle's discriminatory view was taken over the far more egalitarian views of Plato and Socrates by notable theologians such as Tertullian, Augustine, Chrysostom, and Thomas Aquinas.[1] Protestant reformers John Calvin and John Knox also believed that men were spiritually and morally superior to women. Othersclarify, such as Margaret Fell and Sojourner Truth, were women.
In the early 1800s some Christians began to teach that women are not innately inferior. Between 1808 and 1930, there appeared printed arguments in support of women's ministries. Thus emerged the first wave of Christian feminists. They advocated that the theology of gender and justice should be based on a whole-Bible approach rather than "proof texting" of isolated passages. Some notable first-wave Christian feminists include:
Combining the standard definition of feminism with Evangelical thought here is an alternative definition: a discourse that involves various movements, theories and philosophies that are concerned with the issue of gender difference, which advocate equality for women, and campaign for women's rights and interests according to sound Biblical principles and the concept that the Bible is the infallible unadulterated word of God. This movement was founded based on the false teachings that women are to be submissive under all circumstances, including instances of abuse and neglect.citation needed
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Feminist: |
Feminism has affected many aspects of religion. In liberal branches of Protestant Christianity (and, notably, in some theologically conservative denominations, such as Assemblies of God[5]) women are ordained as clergy, and in Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist Judaism, women are ordained as rabbis and cantors. Within these Christian and Jewish groups, women have gradually obtained more positions of power; their perspectives now have greater influence in developing new statements of belief.
The leadership of women in religious matters continues to be restricted by many denominations. The Roman Catholic church, and fundamentalist Protestant traditions such as the (American) Southern Baptist convention[6], and the American "non-denominational" movement (that includes the Church of Christ and megachurches)[7] generally exclude women from entering the priesthood and other clerical positions, limiting women to the roles of nuns or laypeople.[8]
In the United States, conservative religious groups are often at philosophical odds with feminist and liberal religious groups over abortion and the use of birth control.[9] These philosophical oppositions are manifest in courtroom and legislative battles, even making their way to the United States Supreme Court.[10] Scholars like sociologist Flann Campbell have noted that conservative religious denominations tend to restrict male and female sexuality[11][12] [13]by prohibiting or limiting birth control use[14], and condemning abortion as a sin likely punished by damnation to hell by God. [15][16] As a result of these religious claims, mainline Protestant denominations (e.g. the Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Methodist, United Church of Christ, Unitarian Universalist, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America traditions), as well as Jewish denominations and the group Catholics for a Free Choice have formed the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.[17] The RCRC often works as a feminist organization and in conjunction with other American feminist organizations[18]
