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jeanne and Pat wrestling the ideas

"Reuther's value is that she is a relatively conservative representative of Christian belief and theology who has subjected her own and others' theology to the critical theoretical analysis enabled and empowered by feminist theory." jeanne/Pat, with Pat protesting that Reuther is NOT conservative and jeanne protesting that she must be, that she has simply changed the meaning of conservatism as it applies theologically, andthat's a change that jeanne can deal with. Remember Grandmother Waynonaha Two Worlds' bear?

"So," answers Pat, "Once woman begins to delve into theology from a feminist approach, she gives up going to church." "Well, of course, she does," replies jeanne, "because theology is based on the inter-relationship of God and, God Forbid, Man, which, of course, should be Woman. Having established the relationship, the community assumes its importance as community, not as the intermediary between God and Grace. Zen has this problem, too. Of whether or not to come back, having achieved Nirvana or whatever. Women are no different from the Buddha."

Hey, Guys, does this sound like jeanne and Pat, or what?

OK, Pat, just found this statement on Rosemary Reuther:

"Although almost all of her writing bears some relation to feminist concerns, she has written on a most diverse array of subjects. She has also taken serious the need to make resources available for the reshaping of the life and practice of the community, assembling a reader of materials from various traditions on feminist theological subjects/1/ and a book of liturgical resources for religious communities with feminist concerns./2/

"Ruether's methodology can be considered dialectical, with the poles of tradition and contemporary experience being held in creative tension. For Reuther, most present ills are the result of dualistic thinking, which results in a hierarchy of domination. Evils such as racism, sexism, heterosexism, classism, militarism, and so forth are the result of dualistic thinking. Dialectical thinking allows repressed persons and communities to speak and be heard. Having identified an evil or injustice, she explores the meaning of that which is being oppressed, and either by finding neglected resourceswithin the tradition or critically reformulating the tradition, she encourages a new understanding of the topic."

From Feminist Theology: Rosemary Radford Ruether/Sallie McFague by Rolf Bouma, Modern Western Theology II, 1996-1997.

Now, I know I didn't say it as well, but that's what I had in mind when I described her as conservative. What I should have said was "conservative, open to dialogic critique of theology and feminism." That's why she doesn't reject the male. Gender is far less important than the dialogic relationship. jeanne

Back to Main Page of Hypertext Poem
Back to Table of Contents of Hypertext Poem
Go to Rosemary Reuther on Ecofeminism . . . Backup.
Go to Rosemary Reuther on Black Theology vs. Feminist Theology.
Go to Rosemary's Baby

References:

• A Founding Mother's History of Women's Studies at University of Texas at El Paso
  
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  Notes to Self for Pat:

  Pictures to show how dominant discourse plays a prominent part in liberation theology and feminism.

  She discusses feminist theology and anthropology and goes beyond liberalism and romanticism.

  Conservative

  Socialist

  Radical

  "During the Second Vatican Council there was an abbot who was punished because he had included the laity, especially the female laity, and he organized and encouraged their ideas about women being recognized as equal to men, and wanted to adapt their ideas for the liturgy. His punishment was he was striped of his priestly orders."

  "Feminist liberation communities necessarily must dismantle clericalism which is an understanding of the leadership as rule that reduces others to subjects to be governed. Clericalism, by definition, disempowers the people and turns them into laity, dependent on the clergy. Clergy monoopolize the instrument of mediation between God and the laity. Male laity may be allowed subordinate roles within this system of clerical power. Women often are excluded even from lay leadership roles."

  Once women began to delve into theology from a feminist approach, she gives up going to church.