Feminism and World Religion

The purpose of this paper is to explore how some woman express/understand their faith when they do so from a feminist worldview. This paper will look at a brief look at Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, and Hindu traditions through the lens of feminism. This paper is NOT to be critical of religions, rather this paper will show how feminists have found ways to embrace a religious life DESPITE the male-centered hierarchy expressed by many of them. Some questions to consider: What are some of the common values/beliefs among feminists of different faith? How have religious feminists found ways to rethink religion in a feminine (as opposed to traditional masculine) way?

Here are the recommended text associated with this paper:

The Islam:
Shackle, Samira. ?Can you be a Muslim and be a feminist?? New Statesman.
http://www.newstatesman.com/religion/2013/11/can-you-be-muslim-and-feminist

Badran, Margot. ?Islamic Feminism: What?s in a name?? Al-Ahram Weekly (online).
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2002/569/cu1.htm
Afzal-Khan, Fawzia, ed. Shattering the Stereotypes: Muslim Women Speak Out (most recent edition).
(Read the whole book)
Christianity:
Feminism and Religion blog:
http://feminismandreligion.com/about/

Parsons, Susan Frank. The Cambridge Companion to Feminist Theology. Cambridge University Press, 2013.

Cannon, Katie Geneva, Emilie M. Townes, Angela D. Sims, eds. Womanist Theological Ethics: A Reader. Westminster John Knox Press, 2011.
Judaism:

Goldstein, Elyse, ed. New Jewish Feminism: Probing the Past, Forging the Future. Jewish Lights Publishing, 2009.

Buddhism:
Gross, Rita. Buddhism After Patriarchy: A Feminist History, Analysis, and Reconstruction of Buddhism. SUNY Press, 1992.

GENERAL:
Feminism and World Religions
SUNY Press, 1998
(This text includes readings on Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism)

JUDAISM:
‘On the Wings of Shekhinah: Rediscovering Judaism’s Divine Feminine’
Rabbi Leah Novick
Quest Books 2008