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Religion Comparative Religion

Women and Religious Traditions

edited by Leona M. Anderson & Pamela Dickey Young

Publisher
Oxford University Press
Initial publish date
Mar 2004
Category
Comparative Religion
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780195432015
    Publish Date
    May 2010
    List Price
    $83.95
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780195417548
    Publish Date
    Mar 2004
    List Price
    $54.95
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780199006199
    Publish Date
    Sep 2014
    List Price
    $114.99

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Out of print

This edition is not currently available in bookstores. Check your local library or search for used copies at Abebooks.

Description

Women and Religious Traditions analyzes women and religion in the context of the major world religious traditions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese religions, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Aboriginal religions, and new religions that focus on the concept of the Goddess. Each chapter is organizedaround the following common themes: history and the staus of women in the respective religions; texts and interpretations; symbols and gender; sexuality; social change; women's official and unofficial roles; fundamentalism; and unique features of each religion as it pertains to women. Examples havebeen drawn from both Canadian and United States contexts. The volume also includes two case studies which highlight the historical and contemporary experiences of religious women in North America. Students will be introduced to the contemporary issues that surround the study of women and religionand will also be introduced to feminist theory by the editors in their introductory chapter.The essays are organized around five main themes.History and Status of Women: How each religious tradition has viewed the role of women.Text, Rituals, and Interpretations: How the central texts of each religion treat women and how the authorities use these texts to sanction religious rituals.Symbols and Gender: How the main symbols of each religion affect the role of women.Sexuality: How each religion contributes to the configuration of women's sexuality.Social Change: How each religion might contribute to the changing roles of women.Each essay follows the same basic structure, allowing students to make useful comparisons across these widely divergent religious traditions.

About the authors

Leona M. Anderson's profile page

Pamela Dickey Young is professor and interim director of the School of Religion at Queen's University.

Pamela Dickey Young's profile page