Feminism

• Feminist sociologists see religion as a patriarchal institution that reflects and perpetuates the inequality between men and women. They believe religious beliefs act as a patriarchal ideology that preserves, justifies and reproduces male power over generations. Therefore, religion acts as a conservative social force that represses female attempts of autonomy, discouraging social change
• Liberal feminists argue that many societies and their institutions are patriarchal, and need to be reformed so equal rights are the norm. They believe many religions have a stained glass ceiling. If women are allowed to become religious leaders they can only progress so far due to theological rules
• Marxist feminists see patriarchy as an aspect of capitalist exploitation and inequality. they see religion as an ideology working on behalf of the capitalist class, to legitimise the idea that women’s function is to be mothers and take responsibility for religious socialisation in the home, and capitalism profits from their unpaid domestic labour
• Radical feminists see women as oppressed by a patriarchal system that is all powerful and inescapable due to cultural organisations such as religions perpetuating the idea that women’s oppression is pre ordained by god. Religions are patriarchal because what counts as culture (eg religion) is constructed by men so men can dominate the interpretation of religious texts, suppressing women’s autonomy
• De Beauvoir argues that men use religion to control and oppress women. religion is also a way of compensating women for their second class status, spreading the false belief that they will be compensated for their suffering on earth by equality in heaven, therefore confirming the social order
• in Islam, menstruating women are not allowed to touch the Qur’an and in Hinduism women can’t approach family shrines while pregnant or menstruating. this supports de Beauvoirs idea of women’s subordination
• De Beauvoir argues that religious laws and customs give women fewer rights than men. Religious influences on cultural norms lead to unequal punishment when sexual transgressions are committed. eg in some Islamic countries women are stoned to death for adultery while men are publicly whipped
• Daly argues that Christianity itself is a set of patriarchal myths. The early catholic church deliberately eliminated religions in which female gods were dominant or equal to male gods, as well as reducing figures such as Mary Magdalene who played a role in the growth of Christianity
• Daly observes that women are not allowed to be priests because the Catholic Church blames them for original sin and associates them with sexual temptation. she claims women are excluded from priesthood as their presence is thought to make celibacy more difficult for priests.