Women In Religion

by Fisher, Mary Pat

• ISBN13: 9780321194817
• ISBN10: 0321194810
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-12-06
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

This latest book by notable scholar and author Mary Pat Fisher reflects the growing interest in women in religion. Every chapter begins with a brief history of a religious tradition and women's roles in the development of that religion, giving students historical context. Biographical feature boxes and interviews are peppered throughout each chapter to provide insight into the personal experiences of key figures and practitioners. Extracts from holy texts, diaries, and articles, together with shorter quotations woven throughout the text, support and illustrate the main text discussion and enable critical issues to be raised and considered. This accessible text makes women's religious experiences and actions come to life in all their richness and variety.

Table of Contents

Preface	7
1 Women's Religious Experiences	12
What is Religion?	12
Patriarchy in Institutionalized Religions	13
Limits on Women's Religious Participation	13
Women's Bodies	14
Women's Non-institutional Spiritual Roles	15
Interview: Rosemarie Eble, Emergency Nurse	17
Women as Mystics	20
Women as Ascetics	22
Studying Women in Religions	24
Are Women Different from Men?	27
Concepts of the Divine	29
Challenges to Institutional Restrictions	31
Women and Current Issues	32
Key Terms AND Suggested Reading	33
2 Women in Indigenous Religions	35
Overview of Indigenous Religions	35
Gender Balance	37
Female Divinity	39
Excerpt: Paula Gunn Allen, At the Center of All is Woman	42
Women in Mythology	44
Shamans, Priestesses, Healers	46
Interview: Maria Amanchina, Siberian Shaman	49
Women's Rituals	52
Genital Surgery	53
Rites for First Menstruation	55
Reclaiming Ancestral Roots	57
Healing of the Planet and the People	59
Interview: Luanna Neff Healing a Bombed Hawaiian Island	60
Key Terms AND Suggested Reading	62
3 Women in Hinduism	64
Paths of Sanatana Dharma	64
The Changing Role of Women	66
Worship of the Goddess	71
Women as Ascetics and Bhaktis	74
Biography: Akka Mahadevi	76
Women's Rituals	79
Excerpt: Vijaya Nagarajan, Women's Auspicious Designs	82
Spiritual Music and Dance	85
Interview: Bharati Shivaji, Mohiniyattam Dancer and Teacher	86
Female Teachers	87
Excerpt: Sri Mata Amritanandamayi, The Awakening of Universal Motherhood	89
Hindu Practice in the West	91
Women and Communalism	92
Women and Social Activism	93
Key Terms AND Suggested Reading	94
4 Women in Buddhism	96
Life and Teachings of the Buddha	96
Excerpt: Maechee Pathomwan, Mindfulness and the End of Suffering	99
Creation of an Order of Nuns	100
Women's Situation in the Major Forms of Buddhism	104
Contemporary Status and Ordination of Nuns	109
Biography: Yeshe Tsogyel	110
Feminist Analysis of Buddhist Concepts	117
Contemporary Women as Buddhist Teachers	119
Buddhist Women as Social Activists	121
Excerpt: bell hooks, Defining Oneself as Buddhist	124
Key Terms AND Suggested Reading	126
5 Women in Confucianism and Daoism	128
Ancient Ways of Chinese Religions	128
Women in Confucianism	131
Excerpt: Pan Chao, Lessons for Women	134
Neo-Confucianism	136
Rebellion against Confucianism in Modern China	137
Confucianism outside the Republic of China	140
The Development of Daoism	142
Excerpt: Chung Hyun Kyung, "Comfort Women" of Asia	143
Feminine Aspects of Daoism	147
Biography: Sun Bu-er, Female Adept	149
Female Immortals and Adepts	152
Key Terms AND Suggested Reading	155
6 Women in Judaism	156
Development of Judaism	156
Women in the Hebrew Bible	159
Excerpt: The Story of Eve	161
Excerpt: The Story of Esther	165
Women in Jewish History	167
Biography: Glückel of Hamelin	170
Traditional Jewish Laws Concerning Women	173
Contemporary Changes	174
Feminist Theology	176
Excerpt: Judith Plaskow, God-language	178
Feminist Liturgy	179
Excerpt: Mierle Laderman Ukeles, Mikva Dreams	181
Women in Contemporary Judaism	183
Interview: Rabbi Patricia Karlin-Neumann, On Becoming a Rabbi	184
Key Terms AND Suggested Reading	186
7 Women in Christianity	188
The Jesus Movement	188
Women of the Bible	192
Women in Early Christian Communities	194
Subsequent Subordination of Women	196
Excerpt: Rosemary Radford Ruether, Equivalence or Subordination	197
Martyrs, Saints, and Ascetics	200
Excerpt: Julian of Norwich, Our Mother Jesus	206
Biography: St. Teresa of Avila, God's Real Friend	207
Christian Women's Institutional Roles	210
Interview: Rev. Allison Stokes, Ph.D.	213
Social Activists and Servants of Humanity	218
Feminist Theology	221
Excerpt: Creating New Liturgies for Women	225
Contemporary Issues	228
Key Terms AND Suggested Reading	232
8 Women in Islam	234
Women in Pre-Muslim Arabia	234
The Prophet and Women	236
Biography: Khadija	238
Increasing Seclusion and Veiling of Women	241
Feminist Reading of the Holy Qur'an	243
Excerpt: Riffat Hassan, Human Liberation is Supported by the Holy Qur'an	244
Laws Concerning Women	247
Excerpt: Amina Wadud, Wives and Qur'an	248
Varied Cultural Settings of Islam Today	252
Interview: Sana Shariq, A Journey into the Heart	256
Social Issues and Feminist Activism	258
Excerpt: Amina Wadud, Alternative Views of Islamic Ideals	263
Women as Mystics	265
Excerpt: Prayers of Rabi'a	267
Key Terms AND Suggested Reading	269
9 Women in Newer Religions	270
Sikhism	270
Biography: Bibi Sahib Kaur	275
Baha'i Faith	278
Theosophy to New Age	281
Wicca	286
Goddess Spirituality	288
Excerpt: Starhawk, Spirit and Action	289
Afro-Caribbean Mixtures	292
Key Terms AND Suggested Reading	295
10 Women Beyond Religions	297
Personal Spirituality	298
Mystics and Healers	300
Interview: Koshi, Uncharted Ways	302
Eclectic Ways	305
Non-hierarchical, Non-dogmatic Groups	306
Suggested Reading	309
Notes	310
Glossary	319
Illustration Credits	322
Index	323