Both/And

Eleanor Rae

A significant shift is occurring in Western scientific thinking. It is the movement from either/or to that of both/and. We see it, for example, in evolutionary studies where there is the recognition that not only is random selection involved, but also the capacity to adapt to changing circumstances with the ability to pass these adaptation skills on to future generations. Our understanding of evolution also increasingly points to the need, not only for competition, but also for that of cooperation. We see it in emergence theory as well where both order and chaos are recognized and phase transitions seem to be concentrated at the boundaries between specific degrees of chaos and order.

In Christian Trinitarian theology there is also a both/and model—not new but venerable—dating back to Irenaeus of Lyons (c. A. D. 180). For Irenaeus, Wisdom and the Word were seen as the two hands of the Divinity. Further, he employed an image of drinking from the breasts of God, the drink being both the Word and the Spirit. Christian theology, however, has concentrated over the centuries on the development of its understanding of the Word, i.e. Jesus Christ. What it has never fully developed, even in our own time, is the function and personhood of the Spirit. No less a theologian than Karl Barth has cited this lack of Pneumatology (a theology of the Holy Spirit). There was an opportunity to correct this lack at the VII Assembly of the World Council of Churches held in Canberra in February 1991 because the chosen topic was the Holy Spirit—yet, such an adjustment did not occur. Is it because She frightens us because She simply refuses to stay caged, but rather so strongly expresses creativity—and sometimes even chaos?

There is, in the East, an ancient philosophy/religion that does recognize both/and: Taoism. The best known Taoist writing may be found in the Tao Te Ching, usually attributed to Lao Tzu (6^th century B. C.). The Tao may be described as the Way of the Universe. However, the experience of the Tao is the recognition that the only constant of the Universe is change. Right living is possible for everyone because we all have the ability to be attuned to the Tao. However, it is wise to remember the opening words of the Tao Te Ching:

                                                    The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao;

                                                              The name that can be named is not the eternal name.

These words seem to point irrefutably to mystery, a mystery that eternally underlies not only Taoism but also Christian theology and for some, Western science as well.

We Have Come a Long Way

Reflections on Women’s Day, March 8

by Susanne Schaup

As events took place to celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day this year, politicians were making affirmations to implement measures for the promotion of gender equality. Although the outcome of such verbal commitments is usually meager, Women’s Day affords us an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved and what still needs to be done.

No doubt, women in industrialized countries have come a long way. The past thirty years have made a tremendous difference to the lives of women—by legislature, education, opportunities for work and participation in public life. A new type of woman has emerged: qualified in almost all fields formerly regarded as the domain of men, no longer afraid of assuming positions of power, self-assured and articulate. As Alice Schwarzer, Germany’s most prominent feminist, pointed out in a recent interview, those 30 to 40 years of Women’s Lib are a long time in a person’s life, but a mere wink of the eye in human history. After thousands of years of suppression women have gained a status of near equality within one generation. Women growing up today do not remember the struggles of the past from their own experience. Gone are the days when Emma (the feminist magazine founded by Schwarzer 35 years ago and by now firmly established and respected as a forum for gender issues) adopted a militant and aggressive stance. While Schwarzer and Emma are still sharp-eyed as far as abusive attitudes towards women are concerned, they have mellowed in tone. Feminism has reached the mainstream.

It is well to remember, however, that these achievements are fragile. As the past has shown, there may still be a backlash—by a change of government, a shift of national priorities or the pressure of economy. In other words, women cannot lean back and coast, but are well-advised to remain watchful and not lose sight of areas where they are still disadvantaged.  For instance, women still earn between 70% to 75% of men’s earnings for comparable work. Poverty, on the rise in even the wealthiest countries, is largely a female phenomenon. Women are still vastly underrepresented in the higher echelons of power and decision-making. To pursue a career and raise a family is still difficult, if not impossible, for many women. Though a structural change in society is required, it is notoriously slow in coming.

Women look to Scandinavian countries these days as a model society of the future. More women hold responsible political offices in Scandinavia than in other countries. There are enough childcare facilities to permit mothers to engage in full-time work and have a career. When a child is born, both mothers and fathers take parents’ leave and men seem to enjoy their greater commitment to parenting—there is no loss of prestige for a man to be seen pushing a pram. Scandinavian men generally take on a greater share of the household duties compared to the rest of Europe (although even in conservative Austria there are now men who claim they have gained by the new role model). In a broadcast on Women’s Day one man indicated that he appreciated the new skills he acquired in parenting and cooking. Another said he enjoyed spending time with his small children. A third stated he could not imagine a relationship with a woman who was not emancipated. Men and women, formerly living largely in segregated emotional and intellectual worlds, now have a language in common and so they are able to communicate better. This change in gender relations is perhaps one of the greatest achievements. Things are moving.

While many of us do enjoy our liberties, let us remember that the majority of women in the world are not so fortunate. In Afghanistan, women have been thrown back nearly to Taliban times. In Pakistan, women do not dare to exercise their right to vote for fear of violence. The position of Iranian women under the rule of the mullahs is sufficiently known—we drew up and signed petitions at the United Nations in Vienna to save young women from death sentences under the inhuman law of sharía. Female genital mutilation is still widely practiced in many African countries. Untold numbers of women and children are victims of human trafficking. Violence against women is still rampant. The list could go on. We need to be aware of ongoing crimes against women and support related causes.

Even men can suffer from the effects of the violence. Edit Schlaffer, founder of the international network “Women Without Borders” and author of many books about the situation of women, recently called attention to the death sentence of a male Afghan student for downloading a declaration of women’s rights from the internet and putting it up for discussion.

While feminism originated in Europe and America, the most innovative feminist voices of the future may now come from India and China. As these countries are pushing forward as emerging world powers, the women will not be left behind. Their energy and zest is truly amazing. Indian and Chinese women are definitely moving ahead.

Many of us regret that there has not been a follow-up to the UN 4th World Conference on Women, convened in Beijing in 1995. This conference brought African and Asian women to the fore. It proved immensely inspiring, especially the NGO Forum held outside Beijing. At the Conference itself Hillary Rodham Clinton spoke for the USA. Whether there will be another event like this or not, global networks continue to bring women together and support their struggle for human rights and gender equality.