Feminism and Religion: How Faiths View Women and Their Rights

by Michele A. Paludi (Editor), J. Harold Ellens

Renowned subject experts Michele A. Paludi and J. Harold Ellens lead readers through a detailed exploration of the feminist methods, issues, and theoretical frameworks that have made women central, not marginal, to religions around the world.

At a conference in 2013, Gloria Steinem noted that religion is the "biggest problem" facing feminism today. In this insightful volume, a team of researchers, psychologists, and religious leaders led by editors Michele A. Paludi and J. Harold Ellens supply their expertise and informed opinions to examine the problems, spur understanding, and pose solutions to the conflicts between religion and women's rights, thereby advocating a global interest in justice and love for women. Examples of subjects addressed include the pro-life/pro-choice debate, feminism in new age thought, and the complex intersections of religion and feminism combined with gender, race, and ethnicity.

The contributed work in this unique single-volume book enables a better understanding of how various religions view women―both traditionally and in the modern context―and how feminist thinking has changed the roles of women in some world religions. Readers will come away with clear ideas about how religious cultures can honor feminist values, such as family-friendly workplace policies, reproductive justice, and pay equity, and will be prepared to engage in conversation and constructive debate regarding how faith and feminism are interrelated today.

Genres: Religion, Feminism

424 pages, Hardcover

Published March 21, 2016

Reviews

[Christine Kayser]

Picked this up on a whim at the library. I've been curious about world religions in general, and this seemed like a great angle to start with. It's a collection of essays, very academic, even textbook-style. As such, some essays are better than others. Overall it was a great read, really informative and thought-provoking, and I took a bunch of notes on other topics to explore.

[Ayse]

i was just gonna read the hinduism part but then i got curious and read the whole book and it was TERRIBLE. most of the articles are pointless. they desperately trying to justify their religion by claiming that not the religion itself is the misogynist but the interpretations are. i should stop getting excited for every book that has 'feminism' in their title cause obviously i'm wasting my time. i'm giving it one star because ngl i did learn some interesting facts from some of the articles.

[Mills College Library]

200.82 F3293 2016