INHERITING OUR MOTHERS' GARDENS: THREE QUESTIONS FROM CHAPTER 6
QUESTION ONE: Explain why "non-theological factors" may be the most decisive shapers of our theologies.
QUESTION TWO: Give some reasons why women today feel that their role in churches and theological education is inadequate.
QUESTION THREE: How do you think a Global Network of women can advance women's roles in theological education as well as in church matters?
It would be easy to point a finger at Islam and claim that women there have little or no role at all in religious affairs, and that even the words of the Qu'uran ban women from attaining certain theological levels. But, women can point to the Roman Catholic Church with th3e same feeling of inferiority. As modern as some forms of the Church may be (Mass no longer required in Latin, for example; and the easing of "meatless Fridays") nevertheless, the Pope and his ultra-conservative coterie of cardinals and advisors steadfastly refuse to permit women to become priests or offer the sacraments. Women cannot be "successful" in Church matters. At least not in the Roman Catholic Church. Yes, there are now women clergy in Protestant and Episcopal congregations, female rabbis in the more liberal aspect of Judaism. Nevertheless, if the churches are to represent all people, it is difficult to understand why women are still given short shrift and not acknowledged as equals in faith. If the image of women tending gardens, real as well as spiritual, is to be followed, then it goes without saying that if one can bring a garden to bloom and fruition, one should surely be able to provide the same tending to souls. There is a weakness in the example of "Gardening, however. While there are many men, especially professionals, who are gardeners, for the most part it is seen as a feminine effort. Tending roses, planting peonies, even watering. The "male" job takes in pruning, dealing with weeds, re-pla
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