Community: A Story

We are all part of communities. Sometimes those communities are defined as neighborhoods, school districts, religious affiliations, club memberships, athletic teams, the members of your major with whom you spend an immeasurable amount of time during your studies. Sometimes your family is your community, or your friends.

A community can be anything you want it to be. However, you can't pick any of the members in the "communities" listed above. You definitely can't pick your family, and you can't choose how that influences who you become.

The feminist movement is another community. While we don't always get along, and some of us want to change one thing, and the others another thing, it's important to take time and reflect; to remember that really, we're all in this together. You may want equal pay and I may want the right to identify as whatever gender I prefer and be respected as such, but all of this has come from a common foundation. Typically, that's what a community is - a group of people with a common foundation. While they share their commonalities, they also have tensions. This was a big part of the discussion today in the Queer Spirituality group I'm a part of. Tensions between religious denominations, tensions between being queer-identified and religious, tensions between who we were and who we are.

So what happens when the tensions in our lives and our communities begin tearing us in two? What happens when we realize that we are something, someone, more than we initially thought, and the people we love begin rejecting us because we are something different? Some people try to blame themselves when they are rejected by their community or excommunicated by family or their traditions. Some try to blame those rejecting them. I don't believe either of these is correct. We find something new.

We have no control over who we become. We can't change it and we can't take it back and we can't turn it around. We can't blame ourselves for that, or for the discomfort and discontent it may cause others. At the same time, we have to recognize that the normalcy found in commonalities is a part of the world of social construction we live in. We are all socialized, or trained, to "know" normal from different, so when we see something that is out of the little box of correctness (like a female Rabbi, a boy with a Barbie, or a flamboyant homosexual), we feel accosted and assaulted. How right of us. The only reason this happens is because we honestly don't know any better.

The purpose of the feminist community is to correct this injustice. I see it as one of the communities that took me in, even when my home communities had rejected me. Even with the seemingly incompatible aspects of my identity, I found a new communal home.

You can see feminism as a women's movement, but in all reality, it is so much more than that. It focuses on economic, legal, political, religious, social and environmental disadvantages and inequalities as they apply to women, yes, but also as they apply to African Americans, Asian Americans, European Americans, Jews, Gentiles, Muslims, Native Americans, men, alternatively-identified, and whomever else you can imagine. It might be better (and more truthfully) identified as "humanism," but that term was already taken. In this way, the communities that make up the feminist movement are some of the strongest and most diverse ones you will ever encounter. You can't pick which members make them up but you can definitely learn something from everyone, even if you don't like them. I'm aware that this isn't a specifically "feminist" post, but I've had community and the concept of it on my mind a lot lately and felt as though I needed to get my thoughts out there before my head exploded.

Correlations between Feminism and Spirituality

Today I'm focusing on the relationship between Feminism and Spirituality. This is sort of a continuation from yesterday's post, as I try to make the concepts of "religion" and "spirituality" relevant to the audience I'm trying to attract. For a refresher, check out yesterday's post.

When you think of "traditional" religion, what comes to mind?

I see G/god the F/father, Jesus the S/son, twelve male disciples, and dozens of corpses writing codes for how humanity should behave for all of eternity, thousands of years in the past. Male corpses, at that. I visualize all of the main female "heroines" in the Bible - Jael, Hagar, Esther, Mary and Mary Magdalene, Vashti, Bathsheba, etc. - as being portrayed very extreme examples. Jael, for example, was considered a hero - but what did she do to earn that title? She drove a tent peg through Sisera's head. According to Deborah, (a female Judge, how awesome is that?) the only reason Jael is given the title of heroine, is because a man, Barak, refused to listen to Deborah's orders. So essentially, what we have here is a woman, granted a title of honor, but only on the basis that a man refused to be subordinate to a woman.

I'm sorry, but what the hell is that? Women can be heroes, but only when they do something initially morally wrong, such as prostitution, deceit, or murder, and only when men do whatever they want to do. That's the message I'm receiving in a very brief reading of this story. That was a tangent, and I apologize. (The story of Jael was summarized from this source.)

What I'm saying is, when I think of religion, I see a patriarchy. A male-dominated, tradition-based structure that puts individuals in even more categories and organizes them according to those categories. Then we're all led by men. Everyone, even other men; whether G/god, a priest, or a rabbi - it is typically a man guiding the flock.

So what about spirituality? The beginning of this article sets spirituality up as similar to how I defined religion in yesterday's post. Asphodel Long refers to "spirituality [as] usually associated with male domination and the male personages in heaven and elsewhere, whose kingdoms are paradigms for the totally oppressive situation on earth for women."

How do we really perceive spirituality, though? I can easily count on more than my fingers people who see or identify spirituality as being more about nature, the Mother (Mother Goddess, Mother Earth, nature and nurturing), healing, and a personal experience. Just in that, we have a correlation to Feminism. What kind of patriarchal society would want to elevate the image of a Mother Goddess? No one wants to allocate that kind of power to a Woman.

Another important connection to establish between Feminism and Spirituality is the concept of public and private spheres. A key issue in the waves of Feminism is the struggle for equality in societal positions. Women fought (and are still fighting) for the right to exist outside of the home. Particularly in Judaism, we see women struggling to become ordained rabbis, or even the right to simply participate in certain gender-based rituals and traditions (such as leading the prayers or liturgy, appearing on the bimah, or approaching the Ark that the Torah is kept in). Historically, the public roles have belonged to the men. Women were the "domestic" sex, maintaining the house, tending to care of families and everything else that went on behind closed doors. Men were involved in politics and other forms of leadership, including that of women. So how does this relate?

As I said yesterday, we defined spirituality as more of a private, personal affair, and religion as more of a public, communal one. Does that connotation have anything to do with men's public roles and women's private ones? Definitely.

Picturing spirituality as inherently feminine is as helpful as it is damaging. By relegating spirituality, goddesses, nature, "essences," and all things involved to "feminine," we are inadvertently denying men the right to be spiritual. By "owning" spirituality, as women, we are saying that men are incapable of communicating with concepts that reach beyond the borders of conventional religion. We are not only validating the concept of Spirituality as inherently feminine, we are reforming it to be inherently sexist.

A relevant text to this conversation is The Hidden Spirituality of Men: Ten Metaphors to Awaken the Sacred Masculine, by Matthew Fox. Fox addresses the potential damage done to men and masculinity by suppressing spiritual instincts; Fox believes "our crucial task is to open our minds to a deeper understanding of the healthy masculine than we receive from our media, culture, and religions."

So yes, Spirituality is a feminist concern. This, however, also addresses that feminism isn't just a "women's movement." In the modern world, feminism not only addresses women's rights, but the rights of cultural, ethic and "alternative" (gender, sexual orientation, religious, class, etc.) minorities, and the right of "men" to feel less pressure to be dominant. Does modern-day feminism feel as inclusive as it supposedly is? Or does modern-day feminism need to reinvent itself? The very term implies that is only relevant to females, but it's conceivable to stretch that as being applicable to the feminine - encouraging all people, not just females, to approach and embrace their feminine side (such as the spiritual, private parts). How do we make that stretch more tangible and less threatening to the "outsiders" looking in - those who want to take part in this huge movement for equality but are scared of the stigma it brings when we drop the f-word?

This is kind of a cliff-hanger post, but I really want to stop here and hear what you have to say on the topic. Also, here's another relevant article that a previous teacher had given me, which I stumbled across again today while doing a little prep work for this post.

Religion AND Spirituality

DISCLAIMER: This post actually has very little to do with feminism. I'm just getting started, and this has been bugging me all week. religion:

1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. 2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion. 3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions. 4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion. 5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.

spirituality:

1. the quality or fact of being spiritual. 2. incorporeal or immaterial nature. 3. predominantly spiritual character as shown in thought, life, etc.; spiritual tendency or tone. 4. Often, spiritualities. property or revenue of the church or of an ecclesiastic in his or her official capacity.

(Definitions courtesy of dictionary.com.)

The idea for this post came from a class discussion earlier this week. Our professor asked us to define "spirituality" and "religion" as we thought of them personally. By the end of fifteen minutes, we had filled up the entire whiteboard with some very contradictory definitions, and some very similar ones. Her intention was to show us that one does not necessarily decide between religion or spirituality, but that religion and spirituality can be simultaneous. Quite a few of the students (myself included) had a more positive experience of spirituality. I cannot speak for everyone when I say that historically, I had seen spirituality as a more open-minded, loving relationship with self, universe, G/god, whatever it is that you believe in - when I had been rejected and criticized by members of various "religions." I didn't ever think of them as intertwined, because in my experience, members of each had approached me completely differently.

In the (going on) four weeks of this class I have had, this is easily the second or third time I've had a belief/life-changing revelation. I have had to redefine these words to imagine a bigger, less judgmental picture. Yes, I admit it. Based on my individual experiences at the hands of extremists, fanatics, Bible-thumpers - whatever you want to call them - I had been unfairly judging everyone else involved. I realized I had become the very person I swore I'd never be. So, I've been thinking about this all week and trying to decide whether or not it's reached other areas of my life. I'm still working on that. That isn't what this post is about.

Here are a few key points that came from our brainstorming and discussion:

We came up with two new themes. Up until now we had an existing two: voice, and power (which I see a bit of resemblance in). We discovered definition and relationship this time.

religion: institutional, categorical, norms, absolute. Rooted in experience of ecstasy that groups and communities share (Ochs, pg 6), experiences are individual but also shared and symbolic of larger groups (Beal). Reflection-guided (?); moral code applied to give meaning. Restraints, rules. Buildings, structural. Understanding spirituality (personal) through structures others have created.

spirituality: individual, reflection, developing relationship. Full of life. "Religious" without strict doctrine. Knowing; not merely knowing, but also being and doing. Personal connection.

Another key excerpt from my notes for this class:

We can cross religious boundaries without violating our religious home (the traditions we were raised in and maintain a connection to), because of our spiritual essence.

So what did I learn this week?

I learned that spirituality is, at its essence, religion - leveled up. If religion is a Pokemon, and that Pokemon is Pichu, then spirituality is a vamped-up version of Raichu. While religion, as I understand it at this moment, focuses on a shared belief and the development of a community, I come to understand spirituality as growth, on a spiritual level, following those essential beliefs, but as a thirst to know more and experience more. I see spirituality as experiment. In your religious life you maintain the laws and doctrines of your organized religious community, but your spiritual life is in your home. What you do to maintain your religious beliefs when you are behind closed doors; how you, as an individual being, come closer to G/god, nature, universe, etc.

Here's a personal example.

I genealogically identify as a Jew. As a Jew, I keep the traditions (aside from being kosher). I celebrate the High Holy Days and I go to temple for most of them, if my work schedule allows. I place a lot of value on my relationships, I'm opinionated and I speak so when I can. I don't necessarily believe in the Bible, not as being the "word of God," or as a series of true stories. I believe it is intended as a moral code, to guide us when we need it. I also think you have to take it in context. Morals and relationships were very different when the Bible was initially being written. Times, they are a-changing. I'm not a great Jew, but I do try. That's my religion; It's what I do when surrounded by others similar to me, with similar goals.

My spirituality is quite different. I find my spirituality when I do meditations, when I ride horses, when I take my dogs to the park on a warm spring day and let them run crazy while I read, or when I get a new tattoo with a significant personal meaning. I feel spiritual when I study other religions, cultures, and traditions, because then I'm not only learning more about others, but more about myself. When I drink a cup of tea or smoke a cigarette or read a friend's dissertation, I feel spiritual. These are all things I do at home, mostly alone. It doesn't concern going to heaven or being buried in a proper cemetery. It also doesn't concern others and how they view my decisions.

On that note, how would you define religion? Spirituality? How would you say that correlates with your definition of feminism? What is the importance to feminism? (Yes, I'm completely trying to set the stage for my next post, and I'm using you to do it. Sorry.)

Feministing and Jax Jackson

Pretty good interview I came across on the Feministing website this evening. Tomorrow's post: What are the differences between religion and spirituality? Are they different? How do they interact in an individual's life? Can they?

This is what I watched last night. By the way. At some point, I will be digitalizing an inventory of my "library," some of which will be available for local use based on faith in human nature to return borrowed goods (mostly because I'm a broke college student and can't afford multiple copies of books but want everyone to learn everything).

Introductions

Today is just going to be a brief introduction to who I am and the intent of this endeavor. I might briefly discuss some of my goals, challenges I'm facing, or my dogs. Either way, it's very nice to meet you. I'm Erica (my birth name), or Malcha, if I go by the Hebrew name I was given at a young age. A little bit about myself: I'm in my early twenties. I work at a bookstore and have three dogs. I reside in Cincinnati, OH., where I attend the University of Cincinnati and am studying English Literature, Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Judaic, and Religious Studies. I believe that statement requires a few disclaimers. I do not intend to "preach" what I believe is correct to any of you. I'm merely spouting my own concerns, conceptualizations, and theories. In fact, let me clarify even more carefully: I do not consider myself "religious." At least not at the moment. I believe there are astronomical differences between religion and spirituality, but at the same time they are interdependent. While I consider myself an Atheist, I am finding that self-identification to be more and more fuzzy as time goes on. I am actually taking a very challenging class at the moment that is forcing me to rethink everything I knew about this topic. I abandoned religion and everything that went with it after I was burned by my home synagogue. I don't mean literally - I grew up in a Messianic synagogue; but through their teachings, my mother learned that I was somehow less as a lesbian. She still loves me unconditionally, but not the "sin," and she can't associate with the "sin." (I'm happy to say that after quite a few very hard years my mother and I are on the right track, although I haven't "come out" about my most recent identity crisis.) While I still can't say that I believe in a G/god, or a G/goddess, I have started to value my ancestral traditions as being a part of who I am, even aside from religion. A core focus of my studies at the moment is on femininity in Judaism and the interaction of that with changing gender roles. The purposes of this blog include, but are not limited to: a home to record "feminist" articles, critiques, and essays I admire, find relevant to my study, or just really enjoy; sometimes a home to notes, brainstormings, etc. relating to texts I am reading, or papers I am writing; maybe even the full text of papers I am writing at some point - if I should wish to use this as a writing portfolio. I also hope it will become a vehicle of discourse for those interested in any of these fields, for friends I don't really get to talk to because I'm so busy "getting schooled," or for those who simply want to know, what the hell am I talking about? I'll also be featuring a few other writers on similar subjects (I don't know if it counts as featuring if I don't have any readers, but still). If you have any questions, suggestions, or just want to say hi, feel free to drop a comment, or shoot me an email at [ medina1erica@gmail.com ]. Obviously, without the brackets or spaces..