Women and American ReligionOxford University Press, 2000 - 141 pages An old African-American churchgoers' saying rings true for most religious denominations in the United States: "Women are the backbone of the church." For centuries, women have been the majority of members in almost all religious groups. They provide essential financial and social support and work tirelessly in the background of all church-based activities. Yet it is largely men who occupy the high rungs of church hierarchy, and they are the ones who get most of the credit. Ann Braude examines the important role of women in American religious history, focusing on their recent admission to public religious leadership and their fight for equal rights and recognition through the centuries. Both noted and little known women--such as Margaret Winthrop, Jarena Lee, Mary Baker Eddy, Henrietta Szold, Aimee Semple McPherson, and Mary Daly--spring to life in the pages of this thorough, passionate book. |
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Page 48
... speak in a meeting . Quakers believed that biblical prohibitions on women speaking were abolished once a person experienced conversion because the soul was then reborn . This spiritual rebirth restored the equality of men and women that ...
... speak in a meeting . Quakers believed that biblical prohibitions on women speaking were abolished once a person experienced conversion because the soul was then reborn . This spiritual rebirth restored the equality of men and women that ...
Page 51
... speak through them . Men , in contrast , were thought to be more rational and more orga- nized , qualities that might get in the way of a spirit who wished to control the medium's body . Spiritualists believed that the very traits that ...
... speak through them . Men , in contrast , were thought to be more rational and more orga- nized , qualities that might get in the way of a spirit who wished to control the medium's body . Spiritualists believed that the very traits that ...
Page 53
... speak in public . But the spirits often empowered women to do things they themselves believed they could not do . Spiritualists accepted women as religious leaders . Seeing the impor- tance of women's public speaking to their cause ...
... speak in public . But the spirits often empowered women to do things they themselves believed they could not do . Spiritualists accepted women as religious leaders . Seeing the impor- tance of women's public speaking to their cause ...
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20th century accepted activities American American women authority became become began believed biblical bishops called Catholic century child Christ Christian church continued convention conversion created culture death denominations devoted divine early encouraged England equality established evangelical example excluded experience faith father female followed girls God's groups Hadassah hoped human husband idea immigrant important included inspired Jewish Jews join leadership lived male marriage Mary meetings ministers missionary moral mother movement nature needed never nuns offered ordained organization participation Pentecostal person practice preach Press priests Protestant Puritans Quaker reform religion religious role schools separate served Shakers sisters slave social society speak spirit story Stowe teachings tion traditions United University values vote wife wives woman women York