Comments on: Kristof’s “Religion and Women” http://jessicacoblentz.com/2010/01/10/kristofs-religion-and-women/ This young, American, Catholic female and aspiring theologian/feminist activist/writer wants to think/write/dream/pray with you... Wed, 28 Jul 2010 03:43:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Jessica Coblentz http://jessicacoblentz.com/2010/01/10/kristofs-religion-and-women/#comment-265 Jessica Coblentz Sat, 16 Jan 2010 09:05:22 +0000 http://jessicacoblentz.com/?p=361#comment-265 I think you are right on in many ways--don't get me wrong! :) I think you are right on in many ways–don’t get me wrong! :)

]]> By: Rae http://jessicacoblentz.com/2010/01/10/kristofs-religion-and-women/#comment-261 Rae Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:37:01 +0000 http://jessicacoblentz.com/?p=361#comment-261 You are entirely correct. Unfortunately, I was overly broad in my generalization in what should have been a more carefully constructed critique of Kristof's generalizations. I suppose that this topic requires much more than an article or comment & it is unfair to expect anyone to explore it thoroughly in less than 1,000 words. You are entirely correct. Unfortunately, I was overly broad in my generalization in what should have been a more carefully constructed critique of Kristof’s generalizations. I suppose that this topic requires much more than an article or comment & it is unfair to expect anyone to explore it thoroughly in less than 1,000 words.

]]> By: Jessica Coblentz http://jessicacoblentz.com/2010/01/10/kristofs-religion-and-women/#comment-233 Jessica Coblentz Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:02:05 +0000 http://jessicacoblentz.com/?p=361#comment-233 Rae, I think you bring an important skepticism to this issue--one I possess myself. A few thoughts, though: I always have to remind myself that "pentecostal" is a very big and diverse category (like "Catholic," too!). Surely, there are some communities that seem to offer women opportunities to exert their authority under contingencies that seem merely to perpetuate "self-loathing" and other oppressive factors. However, I think that is not necessarily the precise description of all pentecostal communities. And, second, I find it significant and inspiring to acknowledge that even amid the oppressive structures of religion, women are often using other components of their traditions to exercise authority. (A few books that touch on this include Saba Mahmood's "Politics of Piety" and R. Marie Griffith's "God's Daughters: Evangelical Women and the Power of Submission"). This is not to say that these oppressive structures and teachings shouldn't be challenged and irradiated, but I think that people often dismiss a religion entirely because of some aspects of it--overlooking these other factors... I'd love to know more about what you think. Thanks for the comment! Rae, I think you bring an important skepticism to this issue–one I possess myself. A few thoughts, though: I always have to remind myself that “pentecostal” is a very big and diverse category (like “Catholic,” too!). Surely, there are some communities that seem to offer women opportunities to exert their authority under contingencies that seem merely to perpetuate “self-loathing” and other oppressive factors. However, I think that is not necessarily the precise description of all pentecostal communities. And, second, I find it significant and inspiring to acknowledge that even amid the oppressive structures of religion, women are often using other components of their traditions to exercise authority. (A few books that touch on this include Saba Mahmood’s “Politics of Piety” and R. Marie Griffith’s “God’s Daughters: Evangelical Women and the Power of Submission”).

This is not to say that these oppressive structures and teachings shouldn’t be challenged and irradiated, but I think that people often dismiss a religion entirely because of some aspects of it–overlooking these other factors…

I’d love to know more about what you think. Thanks for the comment!

]]> By: Rae http://jessicacoblentz.com/2010/01/10/kristofs-religion-and-women/#comment-232 Rae Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:35:29 +0000 http://jessicacoblentz.com/?p=361#comment-232 Great post, and thanks for the link. I am a bit skeptical of the pentecostal version of women in leadership since it often requires that the woman distance herself from her own womanhood and suggests only that God can work through the weakest of persons, rather than that women are persons with spiritual value equal to that of men. But I suppose that exposure to power is good, even if it involves a bit of self-loathing? Great post, and thanks for the link.

I am a bit skeptical of the pentecostal version of women in leadership since it often requires that the woman distance herself from her own womanhood and suggests only that God can work through the weakest of persons, rather than that women are persons with spiritual value equal to that of men. But I suppose that exposure to power is good, even if it involves a bit of self-loathing?

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