Religious Authority and Women’s Religious Experience Essay (Critical Writing)

Introduction

The ‘journal of feminist studies in religion’ takes us through what the author believes to be the main reason why women are more inclined to religious practices than men. It is clear that women are the most religious people and they will look out for solutions to their life’s questions by being committed to a certain religion¹. This does not however mean that men have no challenges that will prompt them towards religion. As a matter of fact, there are men who are more inclined to religion than some women. The emphasis is however on the ratio of men to women that will resort to religion as a means of handling the situations of life². Apart from the reasons that have been presented by the author, the ultimate one is basically the difference on how both sexes can handle the situations³. Men are generally known to be strong emotionally and also have the ability to persevere in hard situations. In this paper, we focus on the viability of the article and how realistic some of the points presented are.

The method of research

In determining how reliable the information is, the focus is usually on the methods that were used to collect data. The information presented may not necessarily represent the majority, considering the sample group that was used to collect the information. There is also the time factor where a consideration is made on when the information was collected. Data that was collected many years ago may only be used as a reference and not to represent current happenings. The information presented in the data was mostly collected from Brazil over seven years ago. In analyzing the situation, we will look at it basing on the years, when the information was collected.

Reliability of the information

There are a number of reasons that may make the information to be either reliable or not. For instance, there are numerous cultures that are represented in the world that are not represented in the data. The author states that the main reason why most women are inclined to religion is because they are seeking for consolation in their situations. The author may be mistaken to think that most religions act in favor of women⁴. On the contrary, when you take keen look at most religions, they have cultural inclinations that do not value women.

One fundamental area that can confirm to us that women are not consoled by religion is the area of leadership. Most religions do not feel that it is right for women to take up high positions of leadership⁵. They relate this to what they refer to as the requirements of the law. This basically means that no matter how much responsible they prove to be, they may never be elevated to higher positions. In fact, the women that are more inclined to the secular world are in better positions of rising to higher status if they work hard rather than those that are inclined to religion. It hence goes without saying that there are more other reasons that prompt women to be more committed to religion than men. On the other hand, religion may be considered as a means through which women gain some authority. It is physically known that men are stronger than women; the only alternative that women have to acquire a sense of supremacy is by seeking spiritual guidance. By being connected to a spiritual authority, women can walk with their heads up high with the full assurance that their cares are being taken care of. There is no religion that despises the ability of women. Religion basically makes them to have a clear understanding of their positions in society and how influential they can be facilitating change.

Compared to men, women are more used to being under authority. Men are basically domineering and will feel comfortable going through life without necessarily having to consult. Women feel more vulnerable and prone to the consequences of making decisions without obtaining back up⁶. They however look out for an authority that is reliable and hence having the ability to lead and direct them in the right way. Women will resort to religion simply because they know they are dealing with a spiritual authority that is higher than any earthly authority. The kind of respect that they hold towards their maker assures them that any direction that they will be advised to take will be a right one. Men are mostly driven by ego and always want to take charge of their lives.

Conclusions

The statistics that have been collected are a true reflection of how committed women are to religion compared to men. However, the reasons that have been raised to support their commitment are biased and hence not reliable. There is a significant impact that religion plays in the psychology of a woman that makes them to seek such intervention. It brings more meaning to their lives and make them understand the roles they can play in the society to enhance change. Religious gatherings are also places where women can gather and share on the challenges that they face and hence encouraging each other. It is through such meetings that women have been empowered to take up even higher responsibilities in the society.

Bibliography

Cooey Paula. Religious imagination and the body: a feminist analysis. London: Oxford University Press, 1994.

Holden Pat. Women’s religious experience. New York: Taylor & Francis, 1983.

Johnson Luke Timothy. Religious experience in earliest Christianity: a missing dimension in New Testament studies. London: Fortress Press, 1998.

Ruether Rosemary. & Keller, Rosemary. Encyclopedia of women and religion in North America. Indiana: Indiana University Press, 2006.

Scholars Press. Journal of feminist studies in religion, Volume 19. California: Scholars Press, 2003.

Footnotes

1. Scholars Press. Journal of feminist studies in religion, Volume 19. (California: Scholars Press, 2003) 102-106.
2. Ruether Rosemary & Keller Rosemary. Encyclopedia of women and religion in North America. (Indiana: Indiana University Press 2006) 82.
3. Cooey Paula. Religious imagination and the body: a feminist analysis. (London: Oxford University Press 1994) 94.
4. Scholars Press. Journal of feminist studies in religion, Volume 19. (California: Scholars Press 2003) 45-50.
5. Johnson Luke Timothy. (Religious experience in earliest Christianity: a missing dimension in New Testament studies. (London: Fortress Press, 1998) 26-30.
6. Holden Pat. Women’s religious experience. (New York: Taylor & Francis, 1983) 18-25.