This past Saturday I won 1st place in a social science conference at my school. I did research on Christianity, women and feminism. My goal was to find out why so many Christian women I know seem to reject the feminist movement. I did a paper and pencil survey (convenience sample) of 40 Christian women and I ask
ed for their opinions on feminism. I found that 84% of Christian women who go to church at least once a week believe you cannot be both a Christian and a feminist. This proved my hypothesis, which was: the more often a woman attends church, the less likely she is to consider herself a feminist. The main idea behind this theory is that the Church is still a patriarchal and sexist institution that does not uphold feminism. Therefore, the more involved a woman is in Church, the less likely she too will be in supporting the movement.
At my best, I am a feminist sociologist, not a feminist theologian, so I am not entirely sure how we can reverse the awful mindset that feminism is the devil’s crusade. I know from my personal experience, that “Christian” and “feminist” are two labels I heartily accept, both with their flaws and past mistakes, not because they are perfect movements but because they matter to me. They are a part of my worldview, a piece of my identity and a source of my drive and conviction in this life. I am fully convinced that one does not, and should not, cancel out the other.
Fifteen years ago, Naomi Wolf coined the term “power feminism” in opposition to “victim feminism.” The feminist model is one that Christian theologians are still trying to uphold to this day. Though they recognize the oppression within the Western Church, feminists are not resorting to a victim mentality. Instead, they are trying to name the problem and suggest the solutions, but also emphasize the strength and abilities of women rather than their weakness and passivity. My research and this experience truly encouraged me that the primary hope, and my longing, is to do what feminists have always wanted: give women the best of both worlds and the chance to be all of who they want to be. A peace treaty between religion and feminism is long over due.
It seems as though your possible conclusions were quite limited and set a priori? After all, Jesus said, “Those who come to Me will never thirst again.” Certainly feminism is one of the symptoms of thirsty people and a symptom that does not and cannot quench our deepest thirst. Those who are in an intimate, healed and forgiven relationship just may not need feminism as much as those who are simply religious or spiritual – yes?
I used to be a fundamental baptist Christian, and am now an atheist and feminist (long story, I won’t bore you here =) ). I don’t know that I speak for other Christians, but from my experience it seems that the more fundamental a Christian is, the more they will reject feminism. The sect of Christianity I belonged to believed that the bible was the inerrant and inspired word of God. There are many bible verses that say things like a woman should not teach a man, and that the man is the head of the woman just as Christ is the head of the church (I’m sure being a Christian you are familiar with these =) ). As a Christian, I believed that the whole bible was god’s word, so I believed that those things were true. Those ideas are in direct opposition to feminism. (To be completely honest- not to insult you at all because I believe in everyone’s right to believe what they wish – I don’t really understand how one can be a Christian and not believe the bible is god’s word.) Also in my sect, we were taught that women and men are different creatures, made to fulfill different (opposite and complimentary) roles. Man is the leader, woman is the support, the caretaker. There are bible verses to support this too but I can’t remember them off the top of my head. This is also in opposition to feminism.
Anyway, thanks for posting this, it’s very thought-provoking. I’m wondering what your thoughts are on my comment and if your Christian experience differs very much from mine? Thanks =)