Ecofeminism

Observations, reflections, & learning: a place for environmental musings, and a journal for both my independent study class on Ecofeminist Philosophy & Activism in Fall 2012, and my Feminist/Ecofeminist Philosophies & Activism Comprehensive Exams class in Spring 2013.

Is there organized religion after patriarchy? pt. 3

Posted onWednesday 13 February 2013Sunday 10 February 2013

After Patriarchy: Feminist Transformations of the World Religions, edited by Paula M. Cooey, William R. Eakin, & Jay B. McDaniel Judaism Continuing with the quick review of the articles contained within this provocatively titled book, we move to Judith Plaskow’s “Transforming the Nature of Community: Toward a Feminist People of Israel.” She argues that Jewishness…

Is there organized religion after patriarchy? pt. 2

Posted onTuesday 12 February 2013Sunday 10 February 2013

After Patriarchy: Feminist Transformations of the World Religions, edited by Paula M. Cooey, William R. Eakin, & Jay B. McDaniel At this point in my reading of this book I got bored with the apologists for the big, irritatingly misogynistic organized religions — so I jumped a few articles ahead, to the two chapters which…

Is there organized religion after patriarchy? pt. 1

Posted onMonday 11 February 2013Sunday 10 February 2013

After Patriarchy: Feminist Transformations of the World Religions, edited by Paula M. Cooey, William R. Eakin, & Jay B. McDaniel. This book is an exploration of what changes might occur in the current largest — and rather androcentric — world religions, in order for them to grow past their current — and usually obsessive —…

Unspoken Worlds article reviews, pt. 3

Posted onSunday 10 February 2013Saturday 9 February 2013

Interrelatedness One of the precepts of ecofeminism (at least as I attempt to practice it) is the recognition of not only the value and beauty of both human bodies and the physical world, but also of our deep spiritual and genetic connections with all that is. This is, I think, a serious issue with most…

Unspoken Worlds article reviews, pt. 2

Posted onSaturday 9 February 2013Friday 8 February 2013

The Divine Feminine The entire modern concept of Goddess (whether omnipotent or not) is still relatively new and shocking to many, though it has much more ancient roots than most of us imagine. Nevertheless, when faced with even a modest conceptualization of Goddess, most members of the modern androcentric world religions react with quick anger….

Unspoken Worlds article reviews, pt. 1

Posted onThursday 7 February 2013Wednesday 6 February 2013

I’m rather pleased by the articles I chose from the book Unspoken Worlds: Women’s Religious Lives. Not only were they quick reads – a definite benefit when faced with the prospect of 30 books in three months – but I also found two good articles in the book for next semester’s Women’s Mysteries Comps class….

Deepening thoughts on Griffin, women, & Nature

Posted onSunday 27 January 2013

I’ve had another professor write to me about the Ecofeminism independent study class I took last semester. Her comments were regarding my review of Griffin’s Woman and Nature: The Roaring Inside Her. Thinking back now, I absolutely loved how Griffin connected women with nature. I remember quiet tears rolling down my cheeks as I read…

Gaia’s Gift: Earth, Ourselves and God after Copernicus by Anne Primavesi

Posted onThursday 13 December 2012Thursday 13 December 2012

This book was both a surprise and a delight; I very much enjoyed the reading. Gaia’s Gift is ordinarily presented as simply an analysis of Copernican heliocentric theory, as it applies to James Lovelock’s Gaia Theory, with a powerful refutation of both scientific and religious androcentrism. For example, the description from amazon.com suggests the book…

“The Earth Path” by Starhawk

Posted onThursday 6 December 2012

I had to work my way slowly through Starhawk’s The Earth Path: Grounding Your Spirit in the Rhythms of Nature; I find myself wishing this had been one of the first books assigned. Her description of finding a mostly-natural place for daily meditations is inspiring, especially the parts about using all one’s senses to drink…

“The Next American Revolution” by Boggs & Kurashige

Posted onWednesday 17 October 2012

After reading The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism for the Twenty-First Century by Grace Lee Boggs & Scott Kurashige, I confess my primary reaction was a frustrated, “Why is this not being better shared? Why must we keep re-inventing the wheel?” Upon reflection, I’d guess there must be some serious corporate (or socio-cultural?) interests involved, that…