Toni Steffens-Steward
The Paw Print
Adams State College students and the surrounding community were invited to listen and learn about the relationship between gender and faith at Carson Auditorium on Oct. 3.
The event was hosted by ASC Model United Nations and Dr. Mari Centeno’s Government 393 class. Women from Catholic, LDS, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish and Unitarian Universalist faiths shared their views on the complex relationship that exists between the traditions and customs associated with religion and their lives.
Each of the participants started by explaining their personal journey to find their faith and to understand their position in it. Each of the religions explored during the panel have traditionally faced criticism in their treatment and expectations of women.
Questions were prepared by Centeno’s class ahead of the panel discussion and participants were given an opportunity to see the questions before the event. Each participant was welcome to answer whichever questions they would like.
When asked what women’s role in each religion and how that is evolving each member of the panel took an opportunity to explain her feelings.
Rainbow Adler said that Unitarian Universalism is primarily about equality.
Traditionally Jewish women have been expected to keep religion in the home according to Sherry Fischer. She said that she has seen women begin to play a role in the synagogue, but as they begin to participate she fears that men stop participating.
Allison Zaro said that in Islam there is a saying that “Paradise is under your mother’s feet.” She said that women are responsible for handling household spirituality.
Julie Mordecai has a more feminist view of the Jewish faith saying that she respects women who want to maintain traditions, but she feels that women should be able to study as well.
Marianne Dunne said that Catholicism views the role of women as “mainly to challenge the men.” Dunne feels that traditions are very important and that women who study the faith can challenge the men and make them better priests.
The Buddhist representative, Jorinda Macgillarvray said that women are treated equally in the faith.
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the faith has evolved to the point where “the only thing women aren’t doing is holding the priesthood,” according to Laurel Heimstra.
The women went through a few other prepared questions and took some questions from the audience. They explored some significant differences between their faiths and identified many similarities. While there are some places where some of the women would like to see improvement they seemed to agree that great strides have been made toward equality in mainstream religious organizations.
What’s Been Said…