WOMS210 Exam 3
Womanists scholars process & interpret sources in 3 methodological ways. Know the three methods.
(1) the celebration of black women's historical struggles and strengths; (2) the critique of various manifestations of black women's oppression (3) the construction of black women's theological and ethical claims.
Sharia
(Islamic Law)- provides for differences between women's and men's roles, rights, and obligations. Majority of Muslim countries give women varying degrees of rights with regards to marriage, divorce, civil rights, legal status, dress code, and education based on different interpretations. - product of Quranic guidelines that were agreed upon by majority of Muslim scholars as authentic beyond doubt
Imam
(perfect teacher)- Shi'ite Muslims believe in 12 heavenly Imams who led the Shi'ites in succession. They believe that the 12th Imam, the Mahdi, never died but went into hiding waiting for the optimum time to reappear and guide humans towards justice and peace
Jihad
(struggle) it is a personal, internal struggle with one's self. Goal may be achievement in profession, self- purification, or the attainment of some other noble goal
Who are the Baha'i? What are their teachings?
-Baha'i Faith is youngest of world's independent monotheistic religions -Baha'i Faith is a monotheistic religion with its own sacred scriptures, its own laws, calendar, and holy days. It has no clergy & its administered by elected governing councils at the local, national, and international levels -come from virtually every nation, ethnic group, culture, profession, and social or economic class. -Bahá'í teachings describe a single, inaccessible, omniscient, omnipresent, imperishable, almighty God who is the creator of all things in the universe. -God & the universe are thought to be eternal, without beginning or end -Bahá'í teachings state that God is too great for humans to fully comprehend, or to create a complete and accurate image of by themselves. -Therefore, human understanding of God is achieved through his revelations via his Manifestations, the Messengers of God
What does Nirankar mean and what impact does it have on teachings about women?
-Sikhism teaches that God is "Nirankar" (Niran meaning "without" and kar meaning "form", hence "without form"). -God has no gender in Sikhism, (though translations may incorrectly present a male God) -Sikh teaching emphasizes the principle of equality of all humans and rejects discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, and gender
-What is Spiritualism? What are the central beliefs of Spiritualists?
-Spiritualism is a monotheistic belief system, holding a belief in God, but with a distinguishing belief that spirits of the dead residing in the spirit world can be contacted by "mediums" who can provide information about the after life. -Beliefs- 1. The contact with spirits is possible. 2. that spirits may lie on higher plane. 3. that spirits can provide knowledge about moral and ethical issues as well as God and the afterlife.
What is Theosophy - who were its early leaders and what role did women play in the tradition?
-Theosophy- believes all religions are attempts by the "Spiritual Hierarchy" to help humanity in evolving to greater perfection and each religion therefore has a portion of the truth. -Early Leaders- Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Henry Steel Olcott and William Quan Judge -Theosophy was very attractive to intellectual upper class women. -Women flocked to follow the teaching and several became key leaders in the different strands of the religion, while others, influenced by it, explored other spiritual paths.
Who are the Sikhs? What are their teachings?
-students or disciples who practice sikhism -Sikhism is a monistic religion founded in fifteenth century Punjab on the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev and ten successive Sikh Gurus -Sikhism's traditions & teachings are directly associated with history, society and culture of the Punjab.
What is meant by the 4 methodological intents of Womanist Theology?
1. A multidialogical intent allow Christian womanist theologians to advocate and participate in dialogue and action with many diverse social, political, and religious communities concerned about human survival and productive quality of life for the oppressed. 2. If womanist method is informed by a liturgical intent, (related to formal public worship and rituals) , then womanist theology will be relevant to the thought, worship, and action of the black church. 3. A didactic intent leads to a teaching function to theology. Womanist theology should teach Christians new insights about moral life based on ethics supporting justice for women, survival, and a productive quality of life for poor women, children, and men. 4. Womanist theology has a commitment to the validity of female imagery and metaphorical language in the construction of theological statements The language is rich in female imagery, metaphor, and story.
What are the four pillars of Womanist Theology? Why is Critical engagement important?
1. Authentic womanist voice, 2. Gendered cultural knowledge, 3. Ethical discourse for salvation 4. Critical engagement-Central to the notion of critical engagement is embracing the tensions in the meaning and identity politics of womanism as a field in religious studies and extending into the politics of white feminism and Black [male] theological thought in the United States and globally
In the first essay by Hassam she argues that the Qur'an does not view women as subordinate. What are the three theological assumptions that she have been used in religion (including Christianity) to maintain male superiority?
1. God's primary creation is man, not woman, since woman is believed to have been created from a man's rib, hence is derivative and secondary ontologically 2. Woman, not man, was the primary agent of what is customarily described as the "fall," or man's expulsion from the Garden of Eden, hence all "daughters of Eve are to be regarded with hatred, suspicion, and contempt 3. Woman was created not only from man but also for man, which makes her existence merely instrumental and not of fundamental importance.
What are the three challenges for "womanist Christology" according to Grant?
1. Is to Black women. The first includes the issues related to the symbolism, theology, Christology and male language that have all contributed to the oppression of women. 2. addresses the issue of societal class. We must redefine who is termed "the least" because that is who God is known to be with most. Subsequently, we need to place equal importance on the issues of racism, classicism and sexism because even if one of these issues is resolved, oppression will still remain. 3. includes the completion of constructive Christology. This idea suggests that liberation is achieved for not only women of color, but also all individuals of color.
Threefold significance of Jesus and what he represents to womanists - what are the three points?
1. Jesus is the Christ, that is, God incarnate 2. In the light of experience, Jesus meant freedom (from the sociopsychological, psychocultural, economic and political oppression of black people) 3. Jesus identifies as Black
What are the three feminist critiques of women's place in Religion & how do they differ?
1. Reformist critique- feminist scholars hold that scriptures, traditions and histories have something valuable to say - they don't seek to change them but to have their fullest message heard and be inclusive; reformists in many traditions use the liberation theological perspective to protest oppression 2. Like the Reform Feminist, the Reconstructionists stay within their religion, but search for women's experiences within it; Goals are to Reconstruct & reclaim women's roles in religion to challenge religious patriarchy's exclusion of women Want to empower women and enable them to feel included restoring their religious history They also expose the patriarchal structures and seek to empowering women to overcome them 3.Radical feminists believe traditional religions focus on stressing the power, infinity, and knowledge of God and this separates God from humans because they have so little in common Also argue they encourage dualistic thinking; separation of groups (God/human, soul/body, intellect/emotions, spirit/matter, man/woman) Want to replace this concept of God with the presence of a deity within each person (inner goddess/god)
What are the 5 Pillars?
1. Shahadah- creed "There is no God but God and Muhammad is his Prophet" 2. Salat- Prayers five times a day 3. Donate regularly to charity through Zakat 4. Fasting during the month of Ramadan, when the first revelation of the Holy Quar'an occurred 5. Make at least one hajj-pilgrimage to Mecca
What is the Sikh teachings on the status of women and their teachings response to purdah & sati?
Amar Das, the third Sikh guru in 1552 at the age of 73 advocated equality for women by prohibiting purdah and sati.
Hijab
Arabic word meaning barrier or partition. Is the Qur'anic requirement that Muslims, both male and female, dress and behave modestly. Most visible form of hijab is the head covering that many Muslim women wear, but goes beyond the headscarf- one school of Islamic thought, the hijab refers to complete covering of everything except hands, face and feet in long, loose and non see-through garments. Evidence that Muhammad covered his face (veil/turban)
What are the Baha'i teachings on the status of women and what roles did women play in the faith?
Baha'i faith affirms gender equality. Equality of the sexes is seen as a spiritual and moral standard that is essential for unification of the planet and the world order. Men and women are seen as having different strength and abilities that enable them to fill different roles.
Who were the Khalsa and what did they pledge to do?
Brave warriors part of an extended fighting force; pledged to defend anyone in need, to stand always on the front line against injustice, to regard all women with respect as their own mothers or sisters (in the case of males), to fight against their own inner weaknesses and to always remember God and encourage others to do likewise ***Under 10th Guru, Gobind Singh they developed an extended fighting force, the Khalsa, in 1699 to defend their independence. The Khalsa is a disciplined community that combines its religious purpose and goals with political and military duties.
Hagar
Delores S. Williams uses the story of Hagar to show the voice of African women in the Old Testament Urges biblical interpreters to re-examine the slave woman & surrogate mother, Hagar, the concubine of Abraham, who, in Eurocentric theology, is a solution to childlessness of Sara and Abraham, but is understood by black women as a heroine, an exiled woman suffering many of their own fates. The story of Hagar also demonstrates the realities of God-talk. It shows that God chose Africana women as inheritors of His word, love, and wisdom.
Helena Petrovna Blavatsky
Founding member of Theosophy, claimed to be in contact with "Hidden Masters"
Who was Helena Blavatsky?
Founding member who helped establish Theosophical Society in NYC. - (Theosophical Movement was a major religious movement that drew upon mystical sources to bring about a true cross-fertilization of ideas between the East and West. ) Was involved in the Spiritualist movement, rose as a spirit medium, attracted thousands to the mystical movement. Claimed to be in contact with "Hidden Masters" who worked for the union of humanity and divinity. She traveled through the East and studied with several masters, gurus, and teachers before returning to Europe. She described Theosophy as "the synthesis of science, religion and philosophy" proclaiming it was reviving an "Ancient Wisdom" which underlay all the world's religions.
Definition of Fundamentalism and how it impacts women?
Fundamentalism- defined as the demand for a strict and literal adherence to certain theological doctrines, in reaction against modern theological trends- movement that arose in the late 19th and early 20th centuries within American Protestantism reacting against "modernist" theology and biblical criticism as well as changes in the nation's cultural and social scene. Fundamentalism is about trying to find a way to control one's world in a modern world that is out of control. Arises in situations where social, cultural, economic power are up for grabs. Emphasized on the control of women. In the US, the anti-abortion movement, in India, a move to bring back sati, Taliban attacks on women in Afghanistan. Women became a magnet for the fears raised by a life that seems out of control Boko Haram- usually translated as "Western education is forbidden"- kidnapped 276 girls. ISIS- the jihadist movement that started in Iraq and Syria in the mid 2000s with a goal of establishing a caliphate governed by an extremist interpretation of Islamic law
What did Guru Nanak teach about women and his understanding of God and how did it translate into practices and attitudes about women within Sikhism?
Guru Nanak condemned the idea of the inferiority of women, protested the subjugation of women.
Operation Blue Star
June 1984, Indian Prime Minister order the Indian army to launch Operation Blue Star to remove Sikh from the Darbar Sahib the holiest Sikh gurdwara in the region. Large number of innocent pilgrims were killed. In october, the prime minister was assassinated by two Sikh bodyguards. This caused the 1984 Anti-Sikh massacre and Hindu-Sikh conflicts
Who were Khadija, A'isha and Fatima and what roles did they play?
Khadija- wealthy widow who asked Muhammad to take some goods to Syria for her. She proposed marriage to him and he accepted. Khadija became his beloved companion and strongest supporter. A'isha- one of Muhammad's wives, virgin (considered a special prize), was apparently a great favorite with the Prophet but was very jealous of her predecessor Khadija, who Muhammad continued to praise. She was the only one of Muhammad's wives to accompany him to a particular battle. Was forbidden to remarry by the Quar'an when Muhammad died Fatima- the 3rd major woman in Muhammad's life. Accompanied her father into the difficult 3 year exile, cut off from food and contact with others by the Qurayshites. In short, they all were Muhammad's supporters.
Sharam
Modesty
Theodora Episcopa/ Theodor Episcopus
Mosaic from early church in 1st C Rome depicts a woman with the inscription "Theodora Episcopa" Someone had altered the inscription to read "Theodo Episcopus," a male name. The female name also found on columns outside the chapel, confirming that was the original inscription
Wicca
Neopagan religion and a form of modern witchcraft. A duotheistic religion, worshiping a Goddess and a God (Triple Goddess and Horned God). Wicca involves the ritual practice of magic of previous centuries in conjunction with a liberal code of morality known as Wiccan rede. God and Goddess are complementary polarities and balance each other out
Sacred Circles at the Washington National Cathedral
Occur every two years they include prominent keynote speakers, inclusive shared spiritual practices, and a variety of workshops to engage the women in active and reflective spirituality and community; commitment to being a "national house of prayer for all people"
Who was Tahirih and what role did she play?
Poet/Babi- was the only woman designated by the Bab as a disciple. Her promotion of his teachings, including equality of women, later earned her a death sentence. Promoted women's equality. Got arrested for removing her veil at Babi conference. Played a major role in fighting for women's equality.
Inner goddess
Presence of a god/diety within each person
Who is the Virgin of Guadalupe?
Sex goddess for mexican culture; she is God; makes females feel good about their sexual powers and sexual energy.
What does the Quar'an teach about women and what is the Sharia?
Sharia (Islamic law) provides for differences between women's & men's roles, rights, and obligations. Majority Muslim countries give women varying degrees of rights with regards to marriage, divorce, civil rights, legal status, dress code, and education based on different interpretations
Where did the religion of Sikhism begin and why?
Sikhism began in India; began developing around a wise spiritual master who became known as Guru Nanak-One day, he declared: "There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim". From this moment he began to spread the teachings of Sikhism. Although details disputed, he is said to have made four major journeys, covering thousands of miles
What are the Hadith and how have they been influential in shaping women's lives within Muslim tradition?
The Hadith is the literature reports of Muhammad's life and sayings. The Hadith is considered inauthentic or contradictory because feminists point out that they have been interpreted primarily by men, often with anti-female bias. However, it is clear that women seem to have been important figures in the Prophet's life and that Muhammad treated them kindly. The Hadith was considered perfect and eternal originally, so many women were shunned of privilege but because of the claims by feminists, the Hadith's perfection is questioned.
What is meant by hijab and what are the different views about it?
The Hijab is a more free dress style of veiling for women as part of the reassertion of their traditional culture. Conservative views prevail that the hijab allows women to take jobs outside their homes when they need an income, or to seek higher education. Some cultures believe women should cover their faces completely and disagree with the hajib, others think the hijab is an acceptable coverage.
What role do women play in Sikhism?
The Sikh Scriptures states that the Sikh woman is to be regarded as equal to the Sikh man. Women are considered to have the same souls as men and an equal right to grow spiritually. They are allowed to: lead religious congregations take part in the Akhand Path (the continuous recitation of Holy Scriptures) perform Kirtan (congregational singing of hymns) work as a Granthi and participate in all religious, cultural, social,and secular activities -gurus had several wives and several of them committed sati when he died -patrilineal society -no female gurus & often women sit separately in gurdwaras and keep their heads veiled when in public. Are also no hymns by women in the text
The video clip we watched from Divine Women discussed the work of what group of women in Islam? Who were they and why are they important?
The clip discusses the impact Muslim women had on the Islam tradition. They discuss Khadija and how they supported and helped spread the words of Muhammad.
What is hijab and how does this impact woman?
The hijab is a type of veil that Muslim women wear in order to "dress modestly"
What is langar and why is it important in the Sikh tradition?
The institution of Langar (Free Food in Temples) -The rules of the Langar require that all should sit in the same row and partake of the same food without any discrimination of being high or low, rich or poor, and prince or the peasant. -It was the injunction of the third Guru that no one would have his audience unless they had eaten in the Langar. -Even Akbar, the Emperor of India, had to sit with common people and dine before he could see the Guru.
Women-church
The need to bond together to explore patriarchal sexism led some women to form own church called Women-church; in small, intimate gatherings, women tell their stories, and express their pain, defensiveness, anger, which then allows them to move into an awareness that it is alright to feel the way they feel, and to be who they are (includes men)
Who is Starhawk?
Well known practitioner of Wicca- she teaches magic, rituals, as well as non-violent direct action and has engaged in civil disobedience in a number of social movements. Currently involved in developing sustainable agricultural practices and teaching others how to do it. She was very influential in developing the modern Goddess movements.
What is Wicca - who were its early leaders and what role did women play in the tradition? Why is this practice important to women today?
Wicca is a neopagan and duotheistic religion, worshipping a Goddess (Triple Goddess) and God (Horned God). It involves the ritual practice of magic, largely influenced by the ceremonial magic of previous centuries, often in conjunction with a liberal code of morality as a Wiccan Rede. Another characteristic is the celebration of seasonally based festivals known as Sabbats, usually 8 a year.
How did Womanist Theology develop and who were some of the early Womanist theologians?
Womanist Theology is a Liberation theology developed by African American Christian women in late 80's Womanist Theology explores the significance of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Christian churches and the Black community in the US and Black women's literature and history Cannon defines womanist theology as the theology of the "darkest sister" - a branch of liberation theology, focusing on the place and story of African/ African American woman in the Kingdom of God. Cannon focusses on the expansive possibilities for Christologies that center on the liberatory discourses of Christ and calls for inclusive discourse in theology that recognizes the differences in standpoint offered by women of color. Jacqueline Grant, White Woman's Christ; Black Woman's Jesus: Feminist Christology and Womanist Response. Argues that while feminist theology might ask how or if Jesus can be savior of women, womanist theology looks at why He is savior of everyone, esp. oppressed in society. Argued the oppression of black women is different than black men. Lower-class black women navigate three-fold oppression of racism, sexism, and classism. Black women are more oppressed and in need of liberation than black men and white women For her, Jesus is a "divine co-sufferer" who suffered as Black women today Delores S. Williams Sisters in the Wilderness (1996), argues Womanist theology works in with liberation theology. Williams suggested womanist theologians need to "search for the voices, actions, opinions, experience, and faith" of black women in order to experience God. CREATED HAGAR
Christology
a field of study in christian theology primarily concerned with nature, person and teachings of jesus christ
Liberation theology
a movement in christian theology which sees the teachings of jesus christ in terms of a liberation from an unjust political, economic, or social conditions
Feminist theology
a movement in many religions to reconsider the traditions, practices, scriptures, and those theologies from a feminist perspective.
Al-Khanssaa Brigade
an all-female military unit of the Islamic State.
Virgin of Guadalupe
before she became associated with the Virgin Mary, she was a Mesoamerican fertility & earth goddess named Coatlopeul; She was a creator goddess and mother of gods and goddesses
Duotheistic
belief in two deities, usually a God and Goddess that share equal power.
Hadith
collections of the sayings of Muhammad, regarded as the Sunnah (lived example) of Muhammad. Important teachings and resources for messages from Muhammad but not as important as the Quar'an
Wheel of the Year
cycle of Wiccan sabbats(holidays)
Theosophy
doctrine of religious philosophy and mysticism. Believes that all religions are attempts by the "Spiritual Hierarchy" to help humanity in evolving to greater perfection and each religion therefore has a portion of the truth. 3 Objectives- To form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste, or color. To encourage the study of Comparative Religion, Philosophy, and Science. To investigate unexplained laws of Nature and the powers latent in man
Gurdwara
doorway to God. Place where Sikhs reside. Open to all for prayer
laṅgar
free food served at gurdwara
Izzat
honor
Hegira
known as "the migration"- when Muhammad moved north to Medina due to increasing persecution. Muslims follow a lunar calendar which started with the hegira, a 300 mile migration
Kate and Margaret Fox
reported that they made contact with the spirit of a murdered peddler. They communicated through rapping noises, audible to onlookers. They became a sensation.
Hernif
somebody who essentially and intrinsically knows that there is really only one God (Abraham is considered to be one)
Táhirih
the Pure One
gurmat
the counsel of gurus
sabbat
wiccan seasonal based festival
Alice Walker
wrote "Womanism, in search of our mothers garden"- a black feminist who loves other women sexually
