Mind the Gap

Just wanted to share this post by Christian Feminist Philomela.

And once again I find myself crossing boundaries, weaving together my feminism and my Christianity despite criticism and rejection from both sides. Christians are often opposed to feminism because they buy into the idea that women are there to serve men, they read the bible uncritically, it doesn’t occur to them that maybe Paul was wrong, they don’t know christian history and that actually women have been a really important part of the church forever not just as supporting characters but as priests theologians and mystics.

and mainstream feminism is very anti religion (except maybe for certain types of paganism) it tells me that all religious people are misogynistic, are anti women, and its true many are, but so are many doctors, and lawyers, and socialists and journalists. it doesnt take into account that actually most women in the world have some sort of religious affiliation, it doesn’t take into account that religion can be a liberating force, supporting and comforting feminists when they are working at the sharp end, it doesn’t take into account that people are messy and beautiful and the need for god(esses) comes from the same place as sexuality/sensuality and creativity,
Both sides tell lies and uphold stereotypes about each other often without ever having had a dialogue with those on the other “side”

Speaking as an atheist / ignostic / pantheist, I think religion is an incredibly important part of our history and culture, as Philomela says most women have some sort of religious belief, so as feminists we need to be a lot less dismissive of religion. There’s a tendency, particularly among white, liberal, Western feminists, to assume that we were all sensible and gave up that nonsense when we ‘converted’ to feminism, but that attitude in itself shows that even those of us who are atheist can never divorce our religious roots. Nor should we try to - if you dismiss Christianity as a load of cod’s wallop, you’re throwing out an important part of your identity and culture.