The word ‘feminism’ can often drum up pretty negative connotations, with images of angry, bra-burning man haters who think women should take over the world. It’s a word that carries a lot of baggage and understandably, young Christians may struggle with the idea of labelling themselves as one.
However, there are many Christian women who feel that faith and feminism work in perfect harmony. Its focus on gender equality and women’s rights reflects what God wants for us as his precious children, a world where we are all granted the same opportunities and are free from the constraints of society.
The relationship between faith and feminism can certainly be a hard one to grapple with. To help you out, we at Girl Got Faith spoke to a number of Christian women to find out their thoughts on the subject.
Natalie Collins, 32, freelance addressing gender injustice across the UK, from Basildon, Essex
How would you define feminism?
Feminism is about liberating women (and girls) from oppression. That includes issues like sexism, the ways men hurt women, harmful practices like female genital mutilation, pornography, women being paid less than men and the many other ways that women and girls are subjected to harm.
Do you think it is possible for a woman to be both a Christian and a feminist?
Of course! Jesus is all about women (and men) having life in all its fullness. If people are experiencing inequality and are being harmed just because they’re female, then that needs to be challenged. Otherwise they can’t access the life Jesus said He came to bring us. There are some challenges to deal with; often feminists (who aren’t Christian) think Christianity is really sexist, which it can be. But there are loads of things that are sexist, like politics, workplaces, schools and in families. So, the church isn’t unique in it being sexist. It just shows we’ve all got to work to make the church less sexist and more liberating for women!
Do you identify as a feminist?
I do. God called me to spend my life finding ways to help women find liberation and I’ve found that isn’t possible without taking on feminism as part of the way girls and women find freedom. I haven’t always identified as a feminist, but in recovering from having been subjected to abuse by men, I found healing through Jesus and with feminism.
Sarah Bessey, 38, writer, author of two books (“Jesus Feminist” and “Out of Sorts: Making Peace with an Evolving Faith”), and a speaker across the United States and Canada, from Abbotsford, Canada.
How would you define feminism?
Feminism at the core simply means equality between men and women. I’ve also heard feminism described as seeing the rights, responsibilities, value, and glories of womanhood as equal to that of men and refusing discrimination against women. It’s a pretty wide tent at the core of the definition.
Do you think it is possible for a woman to be both a Christian and a feminist?
Of course it’s possible to be a Christian and a feminist. The first wave of feminism was deeply rooted in Christian women’s commitments to abolition, to temperance, to missions, to social change. Women became passionate about women’s rights because they were Christians, not in spite of it. At the core, Christian feminists believe that patriarchy is not God’s dream for humanity and so we are cooperating with God to see healing, wholeness and peace for women in the world.
Do you identify as a feminist?
I do identify as a feminist, obviously. My feminism is deeply shaped by my faith. I often say that I’m a feminist because I follow Jesus.
Jennifer, 25, stay at home wife/mummy, from Chelmsford, Essex
How would you define feminism?
I’d define feminism as advocating for the equality of women.
Do you think it is possible for a woman to be both a Christian and a feminist?
Absolutely! I believe it was God’s design to create men and women in his likeness, therefore as equals. I do believe we have differences which should be celebrated without it being a hierarchy. After “the fall”, men began to dominate women and this result of sin in the world is shown in the Bible which can create confusion, however the way Jesus treated women shows me He is a God that loves us and doesn’t categorise us according to gender (Galatians 3:28).
Do you identify as a feminist?
Honestly, I probably won’t be protesting or actively fighting for women’s rights as much as I should, but I do believe as Christians we should trying to recreate the kingdom principle of equality and that can be in the smallest of ways! I have a daughter and I’ll definitely be letting her know she can do or be anything she wants!
Genelle Aldred, 34, Head of Digital Strategy at Tearfund, from Birmingham
How would you define feminism?
Feminism looks like different things to different people, I think feminism is an ideology based around women having equality with men in the different spaces we all occupy. There are so many areas where there is inequality. But feminists want to right that and actively seek to level things up where they are out of balance. There is also a sliding scale in the way people approach feminism and their ideals around what equality looks like. Some take a harder line than others which can leave people wondering if they are ‘feminist enough’.That is why some people have a hard time recognising themselves as feminists although they are!
Do you think it is possible for a woman to be both a Christian and a feminist?
Absolutely! I don’t see the two things as incompatible. We are all designed in God’s image. I’m not a theologian, but in my opinion, if Christ died for all to be set free, why would some be more equal than others in that freedom?
Do you identify as a feminist?
Yes, but, I don’t mind men opening doors for me and paying on the first date. Some might say that makes me not very feminist. Life is complex, so are people! But I do advocate for equality and speak up loud for it. I may not fit someone else’s definition, but as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie says, “We should all be feminists.”
