Gender, religion and feminist theologies. Challenges and unifying solutions

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article presents the complex, dynamic, multidimensional interplay between gender, as a major category of analysis, and religion, religious studies and theology, especially feminist theology. In the first part of the article we explain the mechanisms that create the inextricable embeddedness between these two dynamic identitary and social organizing principles: gender and religion. Also, we analyze the manner in which the plural significations and conceptualizations of gender were integrated in feminist debates regarding religious studies and religion and the conflict that still manifests between the study of religion and gender. The second part of the article will concentrate on the manner in which feminist theologians are deconstructing the patriarchal and androcentric translations of religion in a framework characterized by disciplinary fluidity, ambiguity, intersectionality and self-reflexivity. Muslim feminist theologies will serve as a final example of the unifying potential of feminist theologies.