Random Questions posed by Tammy Montgomery

My Women's Spirituality professor was great at asking the really good questions, the one that made us think outside the box and search not only the books for knowledge, but our souls as well. Here are a few of her random questions (taken from a test).

2. Discuss the dilemma faced by scientists, archeologists, and others (such as mythologists and feminists) who attempt to study what is sometimes referred to as the pre-patriarchal period. How might the problem be resolved in your opinion? Over the past fifty years or more, going back, the academy has been comprised primarily of men, educated by men. As our society has evolved, and with the swell of educated women entering the once male dominated fields of science, archeology, cultural anthropology, and theological history; the findings that were once deemed unimportant by men, are now being brought into light by women. When I say women, I mean women in general. However there are two women that by different schools of thought, clash in their belief of the pre-patriarchal period, and the belief in a Goddess culture. Those two women are Cynthia Eller, a more quantitative researcher and social scientist; and Marija Gambutas, feminist and more of a qualitative researcher. Cynthia believes that the feminist movement has “created” its own mythology in order to balance with the patriarchal dominance of history. To make up for what we’ve lost. Eller and Gambutas both have very solid and convincing arguments supporting their beliefs; however that does not solve the problem. If it could be pulled off, a summit of both schools of thought should converge and compare notes and present evidence for both sides, see what matches up, and work together in a collective effort to find the truth. The truth is out there, buried; either in the vaults of the patriarchs, or in the hallowed ground of our ancestors. True science and history should not contain bias; they are facts that need to be reported.

4. Discuss which of the theories we’ve covered make the most sense in terms of how male dominated systems might have come to supplant more female based ones. There are two theories that we have discussed that still ring in my ears; the theory of war, and the theory of biology. The theory of war as the beginning of male dominance takes root in the very idea of survival. Two tribes of people, mixed with men and women. Those who are able fight to defend their territory and assets; food, water, shelter, and women, leave to go into battle while the women tend to the support of the tribe. The other tribe storms in, and takes the women and girls as their brides and breeders. The other tribe has just created the beginning of a never ending cycle. With war there is rape, the stealing of women, and the killing of women to weaken the other opponent’s morale. Women are then put under protection, and slowly but surely their rights and power within that group becomes stripped away. The other theory, of biology, is a bit more intricate. For years, men believed that women were the life giving source, that they just gave birth. They did not connect the physical act of love with the birth of a child. This myth of Mother Creator gave the woman a sense of power over the men, or at least made them equal to them in some respects. The women were revered as life-giving Goddesses to be worshipped and adored for bringing forth strong warriors, or wise sages to be medicine men. Then they put two and two together (actually one on one), and the mystery and beauty of it all was lost. The women were now just vessels, and not just vessels, they were responsible for what came forth from that birth. If the child was deformed, or it was a girl; then it was the woman’s fault, the child and sometimes the woman would be cast out and left for dead. The men saw biology as a powerful tool once they knew all the secrets. Soon, women were forbidden from worship during menses, and also after childbirth; they were considered unclean. Women were no longer the revered Goddesses of Creation, but now the breeding property of men to dispose of and use as they sought fit. Women were forbidden to work outside the home or tents while pregnant, or while nursing an infant. These thumbs of early oppression soon became fists. Fists we are still to this day attempting to unclench.

6. What in your opinion has been the most valuable of the discussions we’ve had and how has it affected your world view? Early on, when we were discussing the differences between the schools of thought between Marija Gambutas and Cynthia Eller; that really made me think hard about how I analyzed someone’s work. This discussion led into how society has labeled Feminists, and how it’s now more of a derogatory connotation, than something to be proud of. I am proud to be a feminist, in the traditional sense (if there is such a thing). The media and society as a whole has warped the thought processes of millions of thinking people by stereotyping the feminist as a bra-burning, man-hating, NOW sign toting, Lesbian with an ACLU Card. Yes that’s rather extreme, but that’s what the public pictures when the word “Feminist” is used. Our class ranges in age, and it’s been enlightening to get the view point of our younger (18 – twentysomething) students and what they think feminist means compared to the older students who have experienced more and lived through at least three generations. I have learned that we have a lot to learn from each other, that there is no “right” answer, just different paths to different conclusions; it’s your own faith, belief, and power that causes you to seek other paths. Our differing view points, including the male perspective, one what is deemed feminist versus something that is being defended in honor of women. The role of semantics plays very heavy, especially when considering the context of the use of the word feminist. I am a feminist; I believe that women should have equal rights. Yet that’s just me. When we say equal rights now, that also means that women can be drafted. Women are in combative positions in the Israeli Army, why should it be any different in America? Is their life valued more highly over others, or put on the line as merely sacrifice for the cause? There are so many questions that remain unanswered, and that need to be further addressed. Yet to be feminist, to be feminine, to me, is the be a whole woman, and to stand for my position in society and on this planet without having to make excuses for the biology of my body. I am woman, hear me roar!