Women and World Religions

Eleanor Rae

On July 31, 2006, I took part in a discussion on Washington Post Public Radio on the topic of “Women and World Religions” (although the interviewer focused exclusively on the issue of ordination). I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some of the thoughts that I prepared for this radio program.

 Before beginning, I think it is important to state the fact that all of the world’s major religions are patriarchal. Patriarchy can be defined in a number of ways, but for the purpose of this article, I will use the definition that appears in the C:WED brochure. There we define patriarchy as the worldview that sees certain members of the male ruling class as normative and the rest of creation as derivative and other.

 With this definition in mind, I have categorized the statements and responses of women who are involved with religion as falling into at least four categories.  In the first type of response, women view their religion as having definite elements worth saving—and they are devoting significant energies to a rescue effort. This is often the position taken by women in the Christian tradition (particularly in response to the issue of ordination), and by Muslim women, especially those who have received the benefit of an education in their faith tradition.

 In the second kind of response, women see a need to work for a radical reconstruction of their faith. These women seem to be arguing that such a rebuilding is necessary for the very survival of their tradition. Concepts to be reconstructed include: in the Christian tradition, those that are as basic as the definition of the Divine; in Judaism, for example, the belief in “chosenness”, the concept that the Jews are God’s chosen people (see Judith Plaskow, “Transforming the Nature of Community’ in After Patriarchy).

 A third form of response is the rejection of the dominant patriarchal religions altogether. This denunciation often takes the form today of defining oneself as spiritual rather than as belonging to a particular religious tradition. Some women have opted to identify themselves as Wiccans, as belonging to the Goddess tradition, which is basically women-defined.

 Then there are people like me who, for the time being at least, may be defined as “hybrids”. In my situation, I find that while I can no longer ritualize out of my Roman Catholic tradition, I still theologize out of it. For example, I find that the power and presence of the Holy Spirit is just too strong and meaningful to be left behind. I see Her as the One who not only brings meaning to my own life, but also as the One who continues to be with “the other.” Recently, on a trip to Estonia, I spent some time in the capitol, Tallinn, which in medieval times had been neatly divided into an upper and lower section. In the upper section lived the rich and powerful, while in the lower section lived “the others.” In that lower section, I found the Church of the Holy Ghost. In our own times, “the others” certainly means not only poor humans, but also the rest of creation, which we are heedlessly destroying. And I would also look to Her as the Presence who can be found in all the world’s religions, if we are only willing to be open and look for Her there.

Earth Values Caucus History and Mission Statement

 (Following is the revised history and mission statement of the Earth Values Caucus at the United Nations The revision was done at the annual retreat held on July 6, 2006 at the Bahai’s’  office  in New York City).

Earth Values Caucus History

The Earth Values Caucus (EVC) was founded in 2001 and in its efforts to infuse Earth values into the UN agenda, the Caucus became involved in the process and documents of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). The EVC conducted several workshops and side events leading up to and during the Summit, and has continued to follow up the work of the WSSD by participating each year in the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD).

 An “Earth Code of Conduct” has been developed by the EVC and the Caucus has conducted a wide variety of events including collaborating with the UN Department of Public Information on a briefing and workshop, “Water: Gift of Life”. The EVC also collaborates regularly with the Energy, Peace, and Values Caucuses.

 The EVC meets regularly at United Nations headquarters in New York City and communicates with over 130 members worldwide online. To join the EVC e-group, send an e-mail to: earth-values-caucus-un-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

 Earth Values Caucus Mission Statement

We seek to infuse Earth values and principles into the United Nations agenda, documents and processes.  

We understand sustainable development to mean the integration of these dimensions—environmental, spiritual, social and economic—and will work to incorporate this integration into all aspects of the United Nations.Every government, business, culture, family and educational system operates out of a set of explicit and implicit values. For us, these basic values derive from our perception that All That Is possesses intrinsic value and exists in an interdependent community.

 We treasure and work to preserve diversity in all its expressions, biological as well as cultural.

 Our mission is to explore and bring Earth values to light, and make them part of the dialogue for the future of the whole Earth community.

Motivated by the urgency of the times and the magnitude of the task, we commit ourselves to the following actions to promote systemic change and invite your participation:

·             Research and highlight values expressed in pertinent UN  related documents.

 

·             Educate as we learn values-based strategies for the   care of Earth.

 

·             Network with others to include Earth values in our on-going work together.

 

·             Engage in consultations with UN officials.

 

·             Facilitate workshops, meetings, and celebrations.

 

Associates of C:WED:

Eleanor Rae, Ph.D., founder

Anne Andersson, editor

Giles E. Rae, publisher

Representatives at the United Nations:

       New York: Rosalyn Dischiavo

                          Lina Gupta, Ph.D.

                          Helena Miele

                          Alayne O’Reilly, Ph.D.

       Vienna: Susanne Schaup, Ph.D.

Mission Statement

     The Center for Women, the Earth, the Divine is dedicated to exploring the parallels that exist between the imaging and treatment of women and of the Earth, and how our images of the Divine are related to these parallels.

     We began by exploring these relationships within the context of our own tradition— the Christian. While we continue our exploration in this tradition, we have also engaged people of other traditions such as the Buddhist, Goddess, Hindu, Indigenous, Jewish and Muslim. Our work is made available through talks, workshops, writings and retreats. The immediate purpose of the Center is educational, while the ultimate goal is the healing of the Creation.

     The founder of C:WED is Eleanor Rae, Ph.D., author of Women, the Earth, the Divine, President Emerita of the North American Coalition for Christianity and Ecology and founder of the Earth Values Caucus at the United  Nations.          

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 Hutchinson River Project

Eleanor Rae

On the Hutchinson River Parkway in Westchester County, New York, there is a sign that tells passersby that the parkway—and the river whose path it sometimes follows—are named for Anne Marbury Hutchinson. My curiosity about this woman, who was murdered in 1643 in the Bronx by the Siwanoy Indians, has led me to research, write and speak about her at length. As a result, I have also been led to learn more about the river that was named for her.

 The river begins in a swampy area that serves as the dividing line between New Rochelle and Eastchester. It then flows south through Westchester County, through the mainland Bronx in New York City and then past City Island, ending in Eastchester Bay in Long Island Sound. Five people (including myself) have been exploring various areas of the river during the past few months. Following are some of our findings.

 We have visited three of the four sites in Westchester County where samples have been taken by the state. The state report, received by the governor in 2000, indicated that the river is characterized as belonging in the most polluted category that the state employs. It urged that remedial action be taken immediately—but nothing has been done.  So, we have been in contact with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation on this matter. Also, we have spoken with a resident who lives at the source of the river, as well as with people who are in houses in areas where the Hutchinson River has been impounded. These people have expressed concern about the lowered quality of the water caused by such activities as fertilizer runoff from lawns and sewer overflow over the years.

 On other occasions, we attempted to view the Hutchinson River as it flowed south into the Bronx. There we found that it is not easy to observe the river because it is surrounded by asphalt plants, heavy auto crusher facilities, fuel corporations and a huge bus terminal. Of some significance is the fact that, although we never left public property during our investigations, we were asked to leave the area by security guards. Also, one of our workers, who lives in a high-rise apartment overlooking the river, has reported that her attempts to report illegal dumping to the proper authorities have so far proved unsuccessful.

 Leaving the mainland, the Hutchinson River flows under a bridge and, entering Eastchester Bay, becomes indistinguishable in this larger body of water. According to the Army Corps of Engineers, the river flows past the west side of the island, ending at its southern tip. I have been utilizing this information to attempt to involve City Island residents in our project and we are now developing a viable working group for a clean and healthy river. Our efforts include a study of the 2003 New York Harbor Water Quality Report and ongoing contact with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, which has informed us that the river has become too silted to accommodate their research vessels. As a result of this response, we have decided that we need to obtain a small boat so that we can better see the condition of the river firsthand. We are also exploring the possibility of a web site for the project.

 If what we are doing interests you, we would welcome your personal and/or financial input. If you wish to make a monetary contribution, you may send a check to C:WED, (tax deductible as C:WED is a 501c3 organization). Please indicate on the check that it is intended for use only on the Hutchinson River Project.

 May the blessings of Anne Hutchinson, our Pilgrim mother, be upon you.

A Pledge of Allegiance to the Family of Earth

 I pledge allegiance to the Earth

and to the flora, fauna

and human life that it supports,

one planet, indivisible

with safe air, water and soil,

economic justice, equal rights

and peace for all.

This pledge was developed by WEDO, the Women’s Environment and Development Organization, an international advocacy network that strives for a healthy planet               with social, political, economic and environmental justice for all.

10/23/06

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