2008 Woodie Awards
Forum seeks equality for women
Ryan Gibbs
Issue date: 3/16/06 Section: News
Equality for women in religion was the focus of the second Religion and Politics Forum Tuesday in the Lovinger Education Building.
The Center for Religious Studies planned the event, and Director Marla Selvidge gave a PowerPoint presentation entitled "Women and Religions: A Visual Journey." Selvidge, who has taught for 17 years at Central, has published 10 books on feminism and religious studies.
"Most of us don't think of the female being in positions of power in religion because all world religions are patriarchal," Selvidge said.
"Yet there are religious traditions where women dominate and there are positions where women gain power within these organizations. It's interesting to see what women have done, even though they don't run the organizations."
The first point highlighted important women in religion from the 19th century to today, including missionaries, teachers, writers and church founders. Cuba and Denmark were noted as having the most equality for women. The United States was not on the list.
"The United States' equality for women in religion is not high compared to other countries," Selvidge said.
Activities for women in religion include the Ladies' Relief Society and involvement in homeless shelters.
The group analyzes its progress by charting statistics, educating the public about the history of women, celebrating accomplishments and holding women's issues conferences.
A slide detailed women earning $6,500 less than men in the Christian ministry. Selvidge said she was unable to find statistics based on the other religions.
In the future, Selvidge predicted fewer positions for women.
"There's been a reaction against this inclusion of women," Selvidge said. "I think it's a trend all over the United States. White males are asserting their authority in taking what they want."
After her presentation, a panel consisting of Albion Mends, adjunct professor in the Africana Studies program, and Renee Curtis Meyer, Presbyterian pastor in Odessa who preaches from a feminist interpretation, responded to the presentation and answered questions from the audience of around 100 students.
Meyer said inequality is a reality, and women, herself included, have been relegated to smaller churches and receive less pay and fewer options for advancement.
Mends said the influential religion in societies plays a role in how women are treated in religion.
The Center for Religious Studies planned the event, and Director Marla Selvidge gave a PowerPoint presentation entitled "Women and Religions: A Visual Journey." Selvidge, who has taught for 17 years at Central, has published 10 books on feminism and religious studies.
"Most of us don't think of the female being in positions of power in religion because all world religions are patriarchal," Selvidge said.
"Yet there are religious traditions where women dominate and there are positions where women gain power within these organizations. It's interesting to see what women have done, even though they don't run the organizations."
The first point highlighted important women in religion from the 19th century to today, including missionaries, teachers, writers and church founders. Cuba and Denmark were noted as having the most equality for women. The United States was not on the list.
"The United States' equality for women in religion is not high compared to other countries," Selvidge said.
Activities for women in religion include the Ladies' Relief Society and involvement in homeless shelters.
The group analyzes its progress by charting statistics, educating the public about the history of women, celebrating accomplishments and holding women's issues conferences.
A slide detailed women earning $6,500 less than men in the Christian ministry. Selvidge said she was unable to find statistics based on the other religions.
In the future, Selvidge predicted fewer positions for women.
"There's been a reaction against this inclusion of women," Selvidge said. "I think it's a trend all over the United States. White males are asserting their authority in taking what they want."
After her presentation, a panel consisting of Albion Mends, adjunct professor in the Africana Studies program, and Renee Curtis Meyer, Presbyterian pastor in Odessa who preaches from a feminist interpretation, responded to the presentation and answered questions from the audience of around 100 students.
Meyer said inequality is a reality, and women, herself included, have been relegated to smaller churches and receive less pay and fewer options for advancement.
Mends said the influential religion in societies plays a role in how women are treated in religion.