SMC Goddess and Roots of Feminist Spirituality Discussion

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Refer to the posted reading handout -> Goddess_and_Roots_of_Feminist_Spirituality.pdf.    (I dropped it to this post if the link is not working). 

According to Carol Christ, why do women need “the goddess.” List and explain the 4 affirmations of the goddess as a symbol.

What does she mean by “moods and motivations” in her discussion on the importance of symbol creation? How does this strengthen her argument about why women needs new symbols, including the symbol of “the goddess”?

Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not? 

I also need to respond to two of my peers. It does not need to be long it can be 2 sentences for a response, but since I didn’t read the story I dont know what theyre about. I would need to respond to Arianna and Marisol

Arianna wrote this: “In order to challenge traditional gender roles and hierarchies in both religion and society, Carol Christ contends that women need “the goddess” as a symbol because it offers a more inclusive, empowering, and immanent representation of the divine. This can help women reclaim their spiritual and religious identities. The goddess’s initial affirmation is that she stands for immanence, which is the conviction that the divine is inherent in both the material universe and every human being. Christ claims that traditional monotheistic faiths frequently present a God who is transcendent and distant, which can cause people to feel cut off from and alienated from the divine. In contrast, the goddess is regarded as a representation of the divine that is inextricably linked to the planet and all living things, highlighting the holiness of the natural world and the divine’s impermanence in day-to-day existence. The goddess’ second affirmation is that she represents feminine sovereignty and empowerment. Women have historically been disenfranchised or kept out of positions of leadership and power in many religious traditions. The goddess, as a symbol of a divine feminine energy, subverts these conventional gender roles. Because it presents a favorable image of female strength, intelligence, and creativity, this can be empowering for women. The goddess’s third affirmation is that she stands for the interdependence of all living things. According to Carol Christ, the goddess represents harmony and oneness with all living things as well as the natural world. This is in opposition to several monotheistic theological traditions that have stressed the supremacy of humans over the natural world. The goddess emphasizes the value of taking care of the Earth and understanding the interconnectedness of all things, advocating for a more ecological and holistic viewpoint. The goddess’s celebration of inclusivity and diversity is her fourth affirmation. According to Carol Christ, the goddess symbol can refer to a broad variety of feminine archetypes and deities from many historical and cultural contexts. Because of this diversity, spirituality can be approached more inclusively and pluralistically, acknowledging the value of different religious and cultural traditions. It highlights that there are several ways to approach the divine and that we should honor and cherish the various ways in which the sacred is expressed” .

Marisol wrote this: “By moods, Carol means the emotions that can be drawn from symbols and motivations are the symbols’s influence on us and our social and political reality. Because there is no symbol for women to worship and follow, in the west, we see the persistent devaluing of women’s autonomies, minds, bodies and relationships. It is important to create symbols for women because “Symbol systems cannot simply be rejected; they must be replaced. Where there is no replacement, the mind will revert to familiar structures at times of crisis, bafflement or defeat.” Essentially, if we do not provide an alternative framework then women will revert to the same misogynistic beliefs perpetuated by male centered religions. They can internalize and continue the cycle of misogynistic thinking. I have to agree with Carol; I have witnessed religions and cultures that praise a male god, demonize women. It is easy to think that these beliefs exist in a vacuum but they have real world impacts which we can see in high maternal mortality rates, lack of access to safe abortions, honor killings and female genital mutilation. Simply existing is transgressive in itself and can even get us killed. The Goddess can help reverse some of the damage, she can be a pillar of hope for women and light a fire within them to inspire change. At least within themselves, which they can spread to their communities and then future generations. The goddess allows women to see themselves as people; people who can have thoughts, opinions, and strength. That strength can help them through another day and eventually to a place by which they can inspire and create everlasting change in the world”.