"For most, "feminist" conjures up images of angry, screaming women,
bra-burning, abortion rights, Mary Daly, and goddess worship. Right or
wrong, these images offend most
people, especially the evangelical
Christian community with whom I identify, serve, and fellowship." 
–from the blog of Emily Hunter McGowin, a Baptist theology student

I just read a great post on being a Christian woman, and a feminist on Emily McGowin’s blog called Think, Laugh, Weep, Worship. And it really made me, well, think. She starts with the dictionary definition of feminist:

"Someone who supports the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of
political, economic, and social equality to men."

Does that describe you? Yeah, me, too. It also describes Emily, so she’s decided to call herself a feminist. I like her guts! But I’m not so sure I want to do the same.

Like Emily, I spent years in a Southern Baptist church although I now attend an evangelical church in a
different denomination … but I bear some scars from an early church
environment which was somewhat repressive.

However, I’d still hesitate
to identify as a feminist because, undeniably, there is
a stigma; in the
interests of Christian unity I’m not sure I want to
take on the label. It comes loaded with emotional connotations, including violent anger and a vitriolic hatred of men. Neither characterize me.

So, I guess the label I’m most comfortable with is
just simply "Christian" in the hopes that someday that will come to include
a sublabel of "feminist" because Christ was certainly revolutionary in
his interaction
with women.

But I admire Emily’s attempted redemption of the "F" word.

" ‘Goddess worshiper,
feminazi, heretic.’  These are the names I have been called since
realizing that I too, as a woman, am created in God’s image and am a
valuable part of the church."
  –from Welcoming the Awakened Woman, by Julie Clawson

Have you ever heard the term "feminist spiritual awakening"? For Christian women, it’s kind of a scary, controversial sounding phrase. It’s usually used to describe the process of rejecting the church and
Christ, too, in order to follow a path of self-discover that very often ends in worship of the self,
exploration of goddess spirituality, or full-on paganism. But in a new article called Welcoming the Awakened Woman, an emerging church pastor named Julie Clawson co-opts this phrase, so often used by pagans and goddess worshipers, to mean something entirely different:

"It of course looks different for every woman, but generally involves a period of self-reflection and self-discovery. It
is the realization that as a women one is made in the image of God and
is as valuable, worthy of respect, and full of potential as men.  It
involves not only discovering that one has a voice, but that what one
has to say is important and needs to be heard… even if (especially if)
it differs from the status quo. It is the realization that as God’s
creation we can be called to serve God in any variety of ways. And
it often involves a period of anger – anger and frustration that we
have not been told these things before and that others actively
suppress women who try to teach those ideas."

I love Clawson’s new twist on the phrase "spiritual awakening," because I think it’s so biblical. We
become awake and alive in Christ alone, not in some frustrating and endless inner journey so many women embark on. Jesus made a way, and he was a revolutionary when he offered new life to women themselves, no longer dependent on men for redemption, as they still are in certain religious belief systems. When we awaken to our new life in him, we are "dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:11).

So although I would have not claimed a feminist spiritual awakening before I read Julie’s article, I think I would now, as she has defined it, because I’m claiming my role as image-bearer. I’m made in the image of God! Now that’s something to wake up to.

First, know that I’m not a tattoo person. I don’t like needles, and if you’ve ever seen aged people with tattoos (like on a hot day when everyone’s wearing shorts and tank tops) it’s not pretty. I don’t want to be an old lady with faded, wrinkly tattoos. (It’s not a highbrown moral/ethical argument against tattoos, but there you go.)

However, with my antennae out for goddess related trends, I recently came across some photos of goddess tattoos. If someone is willing to spend significant time and money (and blood) to permanently etch a picture on their skin, it must be of immense importance. I would guess that these tattoos required multiple sessions with the needle, so they couldn’t have been purchased on a whim.

I think people into goddess spirituality are people who love the arts. (Think of the rich and vibrant colors, fabrics, scents, and sounds of a Renaissance fair.)

I think they’re also people who are uncomfortable with authority and want to buck the system. Big elaborate tattoos (although small tasteful ones are becoming  mainstream) still set you apart as a bit of a rebel, a member of a tribe a little wilder and freer than the average Dilbert.

It strikes me that Jesus, too, was a rebel. He continually shocked His followers by hanging out with people on the fringes of society. Today, goddess worshipers are there, on the fringe, searching for something (or Someone) mighty and true.

Will they find Him … in me? 

The latest is from a friend, who saw goddess jewelry featured on a morning show from Hollywoood … "Spirituality is in…..so here are
some great accessories to wear to be ‘LA Cool,’" said the host.

Here are some examples I found. All represent a specific goddess. Goddess imagery often features celtic or hindu designs, along with stars, and moons.

"Blessed be."

When we entered the Sebastopol Community Center, where the event was held, things were just getting started. About 40 women were holding hands in a large circle around the room. An Israeli woman was up on the stage, giving an opening prayer. At first she just shared a few words about the community and sisterhood and positive energy of the gathering. Then she began to pray in Hebrew, invoking the air, water, fire and earth (at least that’s what she said; I don’t speak the language). Hebrew has a dramatic and intense sound, and she raised her voice and enunciated the words with passion. When she finished, she said "Blessed be." Then several women made a yipping noise, or a little "whoo" exclamation. Everyone seemed happy, although my hand was a little sweaty!

    A few other observations, with no analysis or commentary on my part ….

…Most of the attendees were women, as you can imagine.

…Almost all of the women, either vendors or attendees, wore no makeup. The clothing, however, was rich in color, fabric, and style. Almost Renaissance in feel.

…Altars had been constructed and were distributed throughout the building. One had a mermaid theme, with shells and a mermaid figure. The main stage was covered in beautiful fabrics, and embellished down front with giant crystal balls, goddess figurines, large geodes lined with crystals, candles and flowers.

…Several tarot card readers and other divination types offered their services.

…The crafts were generally very lovely and well made. The artwork offered was definitely edgy, though, at least to my eyes. One large painting that looked quite scary was a painting of a nude young woman, standing. Behind her was a wolf standing upright (a werewolf, I suppose), with his paw on her shoulder. It had a menacing feel to it. I’m used to wolves in sheep’s clothing, but this wolf didn’t bother with a disguise.

…One last observation: much goddess imagery portrays an angry goddess, or at the very least a very distant, reserved, unemotional one. At the back of the main stage was a huge painting of a Hindu-type goddess with multiple arms. She was blue, with a very stern face. Not the face of a loving, welcoming Mother Nature type. That’s the type of goddess that would, I think, be more attractive. Curious, that.

My book, Unmasking the Goddess (note: working title, may not stick) went to committee last week and was accepted by the publisher. It’s slated for release in Spring of 2008. Check back in the weeks ahead as I continue to research, think, write, dialogue, and blog on the topic of goddess spirituality from a Christian woman’s point of view.

Here’s an alternative to "blessed be": May you be blessed today with a hunger and thirst for the name above all names.