Over the last four decades, women's roles have changed dramatically — at home, in the work force and in religious institutions as well. In America, resistance to this is often couched in religious terms. Where there is a backlash against feminism and its repercussions, it is often embodied in religious practice. Host Krista Tippett speaks with three devoutly religious women who also call themselves feminist.
That is a very broad label. It suggests at heart a passion for the rights and concerns of women. And these women reflect the way feminism as a movement has evolved in recent decades. They are less interested in criticizing men and patriarchy than in balancing the tremendous upheavals in marriage, family and society in our time. And they insist that women need partnership with men to do that.
Voices
 Rebecca Chopp
Feminist theologian; president of Colgate University in Hamilton, Ny. |
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 Kecia Ali
Senior research analyst for the Islam section of the Feminist Sexual Ethics Project at Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass. |
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 Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen
Evangelical Christian feminist; professor of philosophy and psychology at Eastern University in St. David's, Pa. |
Recommended Reading and Links
Rebecca Chopp:
• Saving Work: Feminist Practices of Theological Education
(Westminster John Knox Press, 1995)
• Read a summary and view a Webcast of Rebecca Chopp's appearance during the closing session at a major conference on Marriage, Sex, Family, and the Religions of the Book presented by the Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Religion at Emory University. The Center's Web site contains numerous other projects and remarks of interest.
Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen:
• My Brother's Keeper: What the Social Sciences Do and Don't Tell Us About Masculinity
(Intervarsity Press, 2002)
• Gender & Grace: Love, Work & Parenting in a Changing World
(Intervarsity Press, 1990)
• Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen recommends Smartmarriages.com, of the Coalition for Marriage, Family, and Couples Education as a good source on practical support for marriage in the Christian tradition.
• Read more about Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen's view of feminism on Christianity Today's Web site, in the article "Reclaiming Feminism: Why Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen Does Not Want to Give up on a Perfectly Good Word."
Kecia Ali:
• Read about Kecia Ali's work in the Islam Section of the Feminist Sexual Ethics Project at Brandeis University.
• An essay by Ali, "Progressive Muslims and Islamic Jurisprudence: The Necessity for Critical Engagement with Marriage and Divorce Law," appears in the book Progressive Muslims: On Justice, Gender, And Pluralism edited by Omid Safi. (Oneworld Publications, 2003.)
• Ali also contributed an essay, "Rethinking Women's Issues in Muslim Communities," to the book Taking Back Islam: American Muslims Reclaim Their Faith, edited by Michael Wolfe. (Rodale Inc., 2002.)
Music
• "How Can I Recognize My Home?" by Veljo Tormis, from Litany to Thunder, ECM 1687 465 223-2
• "Leave It to Beaver (The Toy Parade)," from Television's Greatest Hits Vol. 1, TeeVee Toons, Inc. (1985 lp)
• Tobias Picker:
"Old and Lost Rivers" by Christoph Eschenbach (piano), from Classical Dreams: Music to Inspire (various artists) Virgin 91162
• "New World" by Philip Glass, from Naqoyqatsi, Sony 87709
• "Awakening" by Joseph Curiale, from The Multiples of One, Black Box BBM 1050
• "Angela's Prayer" by John Williams, from Angela's Ashes Soundtrack, Sony 89009
• "Aaj Ki Raat" by Kronos Quartet, from Caravan, Nonesuch 79490
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