One of the more interesting developments over the summer in the blogosphere was the launch of Vicky Beeching’s Faith in Feminism website. The point of the site is to ‘tackle the themes of religion and gender equality, putting them under the microscope’. Vicky who describes herself as a theologian and feminist has used the site to present a range of views on feminism from contributors from different faiths and none. It makes for interesting reading.
As someone who spends quite a bit of time thinking and reading about the equality of women in society and particularly within the church, Faith in Feminism has thrown up some challenging questions. It is a reminder that feminism encompasses a broad church of people with a wide range of views. Feminism is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as ‘the advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes.’ At one level this is very simple, seeking equal and fair treatment for both men and women, not discriminating against either just because of their gender. it could be said that feminism aligns itself with the Biblical statement that we are all created in God’s image, both male and female (Genesis 1:27) and God’s image can’t be second-rate.
On the other hand feminism as a concept has become hugely loaded and divisive. So often it morphs into a form of identity politics where women’s rights become tied to a pro-choice, anti-marriage, secularist agenda supportive of LBGT rights and hostile towards perceived masculine privilege. To call yourself a feminist causes others to make assumptions about you that may or may not be true.
Vicky Beeching has described Jesus as a feminist. She is careful to qualify this and in one sense she is is right. Jesus treated women in a revolutionary and totally counter-cultural way. In a society where women were treated as second-class citizens, he made the effort to break down barriers, talking to and even teaching them. His ministry was largely funded by women and Jesus showed them a great deal of respect in a way that amazed and offended those around him. However to call Jesus a feminist is a bit like calling God a liberal. It’s placing a tag on him which carries a whole load of baggage. Jesus is greater than any label we can place on him and it’s always dangerous to try to fit him into a certain preconceived mould
Whether a Christians can genuinely call themselves feminists is brought into sharp focus during teh course of an interview with Francesca Stavrakopoulou on the website, who despite being Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Religion at the University of Exeter is an atheist with what appears to be scant regard for religious belief. When asked whether there any possibility of being a feminist and following one of the Abrahamic faiths, she gave this response:
‘The only way devotees of these religions can serve the cause for equality is by renouncing those aspects which undermine equality in all its forms. This is what some Jewish, Christian and Muslim believers almost seem to do – downplaying or distorting certain aspects; over-emphasizing or transforming others – but it demands an approach to their religious texts, traditions and practices which is so selective that the end result might as well be the formation of a spin-off sect. Ultimately, religious beliefs and practices are human, social constructions. For the religiously-inclined, it would be better to rip up the old blueprints and start again.’
I have to say that I completely disagree with Stavrakopoulou and find her stance troublesome and lacking in understanding. I don’t see anywhere near that level of conflict in my faith, but even so, would I dare to call myself a feminist? Well, working on the disputed assumption that men can be actually be feminists, I’m still reluctant to use that term without being able to explain what I mean.
I have a strong dislike of attaching labels to myself. As a Christian, my identity is found in my relationship with God through Jesus. That is my starting point and everything else is secondary. If I was to call myself a feminist it would be in the sense of treating women with the same level of respect and impartiality that I treat men. For we are all one in Christ Jesus; there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free,nor is there male and female (Galatians 3:28). That doesn’t mean it should be assumed that both men and women think and act identically. That is nonsense; there are obvious differences between the sexes, but I have no urge at all or good reason to see either sex relegated to that below the other. This is why I find it frustrating that Christians are perceived (although often with good reason by the way many of us talk and act) to hold on to a religion where men are placed above women.
During the debate on same-sex marriage in the Lords back in June, Justin Welby expressed his sadness and sorrow that the church has failed to serve LGBT communities in the way it should. I feel something of this for the way that the church has held women back, sometimes vehemently, in leadership in particular, depriving some the opportunity to serve God as they have felt led to.
This disappointment has recently been tied closely to the ongoing saga of the ordination of women as bishops. Although the Church of England is just one branch of the church, this struggle for acceptance has reflected unfavourably on the it as a whole. The failure to pass legislation at last year’s General Synod has left some warning that the decision will turn and keep many away from churches considering it irrelevant to modern society. This is a poor judgement for several reasons. Firstly the church should never be swayed by what those on the outside think of it in an attempt to be liked. The foundation of the Gospel never has and never will be popularity. Secondly there are far bigger obstacles for the vast majority of people stopping them entering into a church than whether there are any women bishops. Thirdly it implies culture is more important than Biblical belief and understanding. Which of these is most likely to lead us to discerning God’s will?
Unfortunately the Bible has been used over time to hold women back. I am still working through some of the key texts on women, but as I study those passages that supposedly put women under the authority of men and limit what they should do, I find that historical reasons to keep women away from leadership fall away. Amongst others, the renowned theologian, N. T. Wright and Bishop Graham Cray have both written at length on a Biblical understanding of women’s leadership and have come to the conclusion that women should not be deprived of leadership within the church. Their essays provide good basis to argue that an evangelical understanding and interpretation of scripture can provide a strong case for the equality of men and women permitting women to hold positions of leadership within the church. This interpretation is backed up by my own experiences of seeing women effectively leading in the church with strength and a Godly passion.
Last week the Church in Wales took the landmark decision to allow women to be ordained as bishops. In response the Rev. Dr Peter Mullen on Archbishop Cranmer’s blog complained that the church is becoming politically correct with a corresponding dearth of doctrine and theology. He described those assuming control of the church as being ‘generally uneducated’. In fact in Wales as in England, the male-only bishops during the debates and voting process were more favourable towards women bishops than the mixed-sex clergy or laity. You would hope that the majority of bishops would be educated on this issue having at least a solid understanding of scripture.
The Church of England’s protracted attempts to pass a measure to finally introduce women bishops will take another small step forward when the steering committee meets again on October 11th. Where the Church in Wales has walked, hopefully the Church of England will soon follow.
A third of Church of England clergy are now female, a higher leadership percentage than a lot of companies. To call yourself a Christian and a feminist will undoubtedly continue to be seen by many as controversial, but in the not too distant future it could well be society and feminists who look to much of the church as a beacon of fruitful leadership and equality between the sexes. I truly believe that is the way it should be.
