In this episode, they discuss the feminist analysis of Christianity, including reflections on the stories of Lilith and Eve, a sound collage poem from 1987, and an interview about Christian upbringing and transgenderism. They also dive into why women are drawn to Christianity and its impact on the feminist movement.
Christianity impacts women's self-perception and societal treatment.
Christian women contribute to anti-abortion movements despite criticism of patriarchy.
Christianity offers women comfort, meaning, and hope amidst life's hardships.
Deep dives
Impact of Christianity on Women
For over 2000 years, Christianity has shaped the lives of women globally, influencing politics, entertainment, and societal norms. The cultural impact of Christianity is profound, with biblical references permeating various aspects of daily life. Christian beliefs and values have molded perceptions of women, from the virgin horror dichotomy to the ideal of submissive motherhood and traditional marriage roles. Christian ideology plays a pivotal role in women's self-perception, societal treatment, and understanding of sexual politics.
Role of Christian Women in Anti-Abortion Movements
Christian women play a significant role in anti-abortion movements, advocating against reproductive rights and supporting conservative agendas. Despite widespread criticism of patriarchal aspects within Christianity, many women actively contribute to anti-abortion protests, emphasizing religious morality and adherence to Christian doctrine. Their involvement highlights how religion-fueled patriarchy perpetuates gender oppression and political conservatism, showcasing the internalized misogyny within Christian communities.
Christianity's Framework of Justice and Control for Women
Christianity offers women a framework of divine justice and control in an otherwise unjust world, allowing them to rationalize suffering and adversity through a belief in cosmic order and divine plans. The concept of good conduct and obedience to Christian doctrine provides women with a sense of moral superiority and a path to perceived goodness, reinforcing hierarchical beliefs and social constructs within Christian communities. The promise of divine justice and salvation eases women's existential anxieties and instills hope in a purposeful existence beyond life's hardships.
Christianity as a Sedative for Women
Christianity operates as a sedative for women, offering comfort, meaning, and hope in the face of life's inequalities and injustices. The belief in a paternalistic God provides solace and purpose, assuaging existential fears and uncertainties through religious teachings of reward and punishment. The ideology of divine protection and eternal salvation pacifies women, fostering obedience, submission, and adherence to traditional gender roles in alignment with patriarchal values and societal norms.
Christianity's Influence on Female Submission and Gender Roles
Christianity perpetuates female submission to male authority, promoting obedience, loyalty, and cooperation within patriarchal structures. The religion reinforces traditional gender roles, emphasizing women's roles in marriage, motherhood, and societal submission to male dominance. By shaping women's beliefs about justice, control, and morality, Christianity cultivates a culture of compliance, submissiveness, and reinforcement of male power dynamics, positioning women as enforcers of conservative patriarchal values in society.
This is WLRN's monthly feminist news and analysis podcast for the month of November 2020.
First up, hear WLRN's World News segment written and delivered by Emiliann Lorenzen, who follows her report later on in the program with an original poem called "The Great Fall", about Lilith and Eve who leave the Garden of Eden just because they want to.
Enjoy an original reflective sound collage by WLRN listener Chris Wind, who wrote to us offering up her 1987 recording of "I am Eve", the inspiration for our podcast topic this month.
After hearing Chris Wind's sound collage poem from 1987, stay tuned for Dani Whitaker's reflections and commentary on the poem before being interviewed by Thistle about her Christian upbringing and journey to a feminist analysis of it.
Thistle and Dani broach the topic of transgenderism and how it parallels some of the teachings of the Christian faith during their interview.
Finally, stay tuned for Sekhmet SheOwl's commentary on the topic of why women are drawn to Christianity and how it impacts our feminist movement.
Please listen, like, comment and share widely as we depend on YOU, to get our work into the ears of women everywhere. If you'd like to donate to the cause of feminist community radio, please hit the donate button on our WLRN wordpress site here: https://wlrnmedia.wordpress.com/ and choose a gift in exchange for your donation under our merch tab.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
