Mormon feminism

[_Joseph]

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/lifestyle/ ... m.html.csp

Is there really such a thing as a Mormon Feminist?

I remember only too well the tactics LDSinc used against the Equal Rights Amendment and how strident and shrill the preaching from the pulpit about 'feminism'.

Has it changed?

[_MsJack]

I would say yes, but people regularly come by fMh to debate that question and jeer at the participants there on that issue. In my book, someone who is Mormon and advocates for women's rights on social issues meets the minimum definition of "Mormon feminist."

I guess the real question is, can you be a feminist while supporting a patriarchal institution like the LDS church? Most Mormon feminists would say that they attempt to agitate for change within the movement, so yes, and I think that's fair.

Then there's the Mormons who say that they're feminist, and work on feminist social issues, but more or less support the church's treatment of women. Are they really feminists? Again, I would say yes; I just think their stance is logically incoherent.

There's actually been several other articles on Mormon feminism lately:

"Mormon, and feminist, too" by Tresa Edmunds in The Guardian

"The Next Generation of Mormon Feminism" again by Tresa Edmunds as part of the Patheos Mormonism Gateway's series on The Future of Mormonism

A new organization has just been launched, meant to function as a conservative activist group within the movement: WAVE: Women Advocating for Voice & Equality. I plan to blog about it in greater detail in the near future, but as we drove to lunch at the Sunstone Symposium, I asked Tresa, "So, this is a little like Christians for Biblical Equality for Mormons?" and she replied, "Yes!"

I have an article coming out in the next issue of Mutuality that discusses the status of women in Mormonism and building bridges between Mormon feminism and Christian egalitarianism.

So, there's a lot going on with this these days. Will the church repeat the feminist purges that we saw in the 90s? The people involved don't think so, but only time will really tell.

[_bcspace]

Is there really such a thing as a Mormon Feminist?

None that are TBM's. Once they take on the mantle of feminist, they are on the high road to apostasy.

I remember only too well the tactics LDSinc used against the Equal Rights Amendment and how strident and shrill the preaching from the pulpit about 'feminism'.

Has it changed?

The article claims it has, but I can assure you it hasn't thank goodness. The agitators today simply haven't raised their heads high enough for the Church to feel like some need to be cut off.

Then there's the Mormons who say that they're feminist, and work on feminist social issues, but more or less support the church's treatment of women. Are they really feminists? Again, I would say yes; I just think their stance is logically incoherent.

The problem is that the Church isn't opposed to women's rights and none of those is being violated by the Church or in US law. The general problem is with the latest waves of feminism which, for example, promote alternate lifestyles. The main problem in the Church for self-styled Mormon feminists remains ordination to the priesthood, "ERA", and gospel hobbies regarding Heavenly Mother.

[_MsJack]

Hello bcspace,

I will be interested in discussing this subject with you when you can demonstrate that you are not woefully ignorant of all things feminist (Mormon and otherwise). Comments like this . . .

The main problem in the Church for self-styled Mormon feminists remains ordination to the priesthood, "ERA", and gospel hobbies regarding Heavenly Mother.

. . . only show that you have no clue what the hell you're talking about---as usual.

[_Joseph]

Mr space wrote:"The problem is that the Church isn't opposed to women's rights and none of those is being violated by the Church or in US law".

You are right, not against the law. Like much else in LDSinc, skirt the gray areas and run it past all the lawyers rather than doing what Jesus would do.(as if these guys really know what that is)

LDSinc and womans rights are not in the same room. Johnny Lingo reunion celebrates buying women as property. Fighting against the ERA was a low point in LDSinc to match the Prop 8 fiasco. Dirty, underhanded and hiding their involvement.

Mormon feminists should fight harder. Shut out the men to get results. Tell the truth about the repression.

Let us know mr space, what programs does LDS inc have for single LDS women over the age of 30? Why no real encouragement for LDS women to get advanced degrees and honestly pursue their interests in life rather than becoming baby producing machines tethered the kitchen and nursery?

Until LDSinc recognizes women as equal to men in most areas, behind in some and superior in others, they will have problems with the women in the Church. Reality here is simple. Women took mens jobs during WWII. "Rosie the Riviter" was more than a Public Relations ploy, it was women doing 'mens jobs' as well as any man.

Equal Rights is simple.Feminists want it because it is fair and just. What LDSinc doesn't recognize is that they are part of the problem, not part of the solution.

[_bcspace]

The main problem in the Church for self-styled Mormon feminists remains ordination to the priesthood, "ERA", and gospel hobbies regarding Heavenly Mother.

. . . only show that you have no clue what the hell you're talking about---as usual.

Does this ring a bell?

So a smidge of history. The Equal Rights Amendment or ERA (above) looked to be sailing through the ratification process in 1971 (ish) (I’m not going to look up exact dates, so sue me). Passed by congress by an overwhelming margin, passed by the majority of states (including very conservative states like Idaho) with very little opposition. There were only three (I think, still not going to look it up, so sue me) states left to ratify when something indefinable shifted.

Oy, fugetaboutit. So over-ambitious as usual, I read some of the pro/con ERA arguments in Pedestals and Podiums as per Stephanie and Corktree’s requests, and then I got all sidetracked with my opening statement and now it’s really late and I need to go to sleep. (but if you wanna know the truth, I think what I just said is the meat, the core, the center, the substance, and all the other niggly little bits of mostly speculative folderal are side tracks to the important stuff, and I totally just said the important stuff, because I’m just that amazing.)

So you all are going to have to wait another week for the folderal discussion, when I get back from The Great and Mighty Sun Stone.

Would you like some more? I know what I am talking about. Case closed.

[Guest]

Does this ring a bell?

You mean you followed a link to a blog that I provided in my first comment in this thread and read a post that's currently on the front page?

You sure showed me. I am in awe of your grasp of this issue.

[_Darth J]

I am truly inspired by Mormon feminism.

So inspired, in fact, that on a similar note, as a fan of the Utah Jazz, I am going to demand that Jerry Sloan give me more playing time this season.

[_Blixa]

I would say yes, but people regularly come by fMh to debate that question and jeer at the participants there on that issue. In my book, someone who is Mormon and advocates for women's rights on social issues meets the minimum definition of "Mormon feminist."

I guess the real question is, can you be a feminist while supporting a patriarchal institution like the LDS church? Most Mormon feminists would say that they attempt to agitate for change within the movement, so yes, and I think that's fair.

Then there's the Mormons who say that they're feminist, and work on feminist social issues, but more or less support the church's treatment of women. Are they really feminists? Again, I would say yes; I just think their stance is logically incoherent.

There's actually been several other articles on Mormon feminism lately:

"Mormon, and feminist, too" by Tresa Edmunds in The Guardian

"The Next Generation of Mormon Feminism" again by Tresa Edmunds as part of the Patheos Mormonism Gateway's series on The Future of Mormonism

A new organization has just been launched, meant to function as a conservative activist group within the movement: WAVE: Women Advocating for Voice & Equality. I plan to blog about it in greater detail in the near future, but as we drove to lunch at the Sunstone Symposium, I asked Tresa, "So, this is a little like Christians for Biblical Equality for Mormons?" and she replied, "Yes!"

I have an article coming out in the next issue of Mutuality that discusses the status of women in Mormonism and building bridges between Mormon feminism and Christian egalitarianism.

So, there's a lot going on with this these days. Will the church repeat the feminist purges that we saw in the 90s? The people involved don't think so, but only time will really tell.

Thanks, Jack, I look forward to reading your comments. Please post links or information here, ok?

Naturally I hope the institutional climate has changed since the 90's, but I also think it's still too early to tell. Fmh-y feminism has struck me as more tepid than earlier forms, but I admit I'm not well read in bloggernacle feminism so I'm prepared to learn more.

[_zeezrom]

Yeah, thanks Jack.

My my wife spent a long time composing an email to the YW pres last night complaining about the message in the YW manual, which appears to be written by men who don't seem to understand girls very well. The same issues that men deal with are projected onto the girls to create a mixed message that could hurt them more than help regarding some issues.

My my wife had to make references about the ineffectiveness of using references to the scary Satan as a motivational tool and also had to dance around the fact that the church man-leaders are not any more inspired than the average guy/gal walking down the street. Very little seems to be mentioned in the manual that encourages self-empowerment, which according to my wife is something desperately needed in a YW.

I don't know if that puts her more in the category of Mormon feminist but I can tell you this: As a TBM, she would not dare write such an email nor would she even think that way.