Feminist christian
To be a Christian feminist in a post-Christian post-feminist age
might seem impossible or contradictory. After all, weren’t all the
battles for women’s rights won by our mothers? and isn’t Christianity at
loggerheads with feminism, intent on putting women back in the kitchen
in a male-headed household? So why do ASCMers call themselves feminists?
“Why be feminist? Its
so retro!”
Not all the battles have been won. Women still own only 1% of the
world’s wealth, and 70% of the 1.3 billion people in the world who live
in poverty are women. In Australia, women have less access to wealth and
still provide the majority of child care. Even on Australian university
campuses, sexual harassment still occurs, and women continue to battle
for access to child care.
“The Church doesn’t need feminism, does it? As long as Christians all
love each other, its OK.”
No, its not OK. Feminism is particularly needed in the mainstream
Christian church community, where women’s rights are often preached but
seldom practiced.
Several denominations continue to deny women the opportunity to be
priests or ministers, or even to take up non-ordained leadership
positions.
Without women in leadership positions, churches can’t respond
comprehensively to problems such as sexual harassment, racism, and
homophobia.
Moves to change exclusive language which refers to God as male,
people as men, and community as brotherhood, are usually resisted by the
hierarchy.
In some instances, churches still make material gains from women’s
suffering such as Christian churches in India taking commissions from
women’s dowries.
“So
why bother being Christian? The church is irredeemable.”
Three good reasons to stay in the struggle:
- Some feminists have argued that Christianity is intrinsically
patriarchal and therefore will always be damaging to women. However,
this is exactly what has been said in the past about the legal
system, the education system, and the entire social structure.
Feminism has been effecting church life at a different pace in
different places. In some areas the change hasn’t even started yet,
but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. And why should we walk away
from the Church? Its as much ours as anyone else’s!
- Many women in the church are feminists precisely because they
are Christian. Jesus’ mission was “to let the oppressed go free” (Lk
4:19), and women were vital to his ministry. Despite the rigid
patriarchy of the time, Jesus took action with women to actively
defy the expectations of society.
- Christianity isn’t always the domain of the booosh-war-zee. In
some areas of the Asia Pacific such as the Philippines and East
Timor, Christian Churches have in fact been catalysts for major
social change. The Asia Pacific region has long been considered to
be at the forefront of feminist theology. We have the most
incredible feminist theologians right on our doorstep! Through our
connections with SCMs all over the Asia Pacific, ASCM is able to
learn about feminist theology. Dalit theology, Marxist theology, and
Queer theology.
“Where
do we start with such an enormous task?”
The good news is that the work has already started. Thanks to the
efforts of gutsy, passionate women, feminist theology is now on the
curriculum of theology colleges, and is slowly making its way to the
pews. Feminist theology listens to women’s voices in familiar text, uses
new methods and women’s experiences to explore old stories, and
rediscovers some of the forgotten bits of the bible. At the same time,
creative liturgists have been writing prayers and songs which broaden
our images of God and reflect women’s experience in rituals.
The Australian Student Christian Movement’s Women’s Project
The ASCM set up the women’s project to address women’s position in
society, the church and the ASCM. Our strategies include the following:
- We create women’s only space at national conferences and at
campus level. Women’s space allows women time out from patriarchy,
to breathe freely and be themselves.
- We hold regular women’s conference.
- We work with Women’s Officers in SCMs around the Asia Pacific
Region to raise awareness of the situation of women around the
region. In 2001, ASCM will focus on supporting women university
students in East Timor.
- We are actively conscious of gender balance in positions of
leadership in the movement, as well as being aware of group dynamics
at branch, state and national levels.
- We create resources for worship that focus on women. The women’s
project co-ordinator has a voting position on the ASCM national
executive, and plays a key role in the ASCM Sexual Harassment
Policy.
- We encourage the discussion of feminism and women’s issues in
ASCM branches around Australia and participate in feminist action
within and beyond the church, such as the Fair Wear campaign.
- As a movement ASCM strives to be a place where women and men can
reach their full potential, struggling together against injustice.
Only with active committed feminist staying in and struggling with
the church, will it become an inclusive community.
