Karen L. Garst - Women v. Religion: The Case Against Faith—and for Freedom

This book gathers together some heartfelt writings of women who give overwhelming evidence of the multiple ways in which religion has betrayed and abused the female sex. To read these writings is to realize that religion has been far more cruel than kind to women; and this is particularly reprehensible in view of the fact that it is based on lies, concocted for profit and for the benefit of men. A thoroughly enlightening work.

Barbara G. Walker, author of The Womans Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets and The Womans Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects

As someone who was raised in the Methodist church in the Midwest, I didnt meet another self-identifying atheist until I was in college and I didnt know any female atheists until law school. If I had been able to read Karen Garsts book then, my journey out of religion would have been easier. These essays about dealing with the socially ingrained biases against those who identify as female reveal how religion instigates and perpetuates those biases. All people will benefit from reading this comprehensive collection that explains the obstacles and struggles women face in and out of religion.

Amanda Knief, Former National Legal Director, American Atheists and author of The Citizen Lobbyist

Ever since the woman who went from talking to me on Skype to adopting me as her daughter after hearing my story, Ive been in constant awe of her ability to empathize and stand up with others for whats right and good in this world. This book is no exception, as she takes stories from so many different experiences of women, and catalogues them here to give them voices. Karen Garst is one of the most caring, motivated individuals Ive ever had the pleasure of meeting, and this book does a phenomenal job of not only displaying that, but backing up what she means when she says she wants to include the lives and experiences of others. She literally brings them together.

Marissa McCool, author of Silent Dreams: A Series of Essays and Poems from a Public Transgirl and podcaster at The Inciting Incident

In this collection of powerful essaysboth personal and academicKaren Garst thoughtfully and comprehensively tackles the subjugation of women by the Abrahamic religions. The book provides compelling arguments to back the proposition that these religions continue to assign second-class status to women around the world. The wide range of expertise offered by the anthology makes it an important addition to the growing pantheon of contemporary religious critiquesthis book should serve as a clarion call to feminists everywhere to discard the psychological chains that religion imposes.

Monica L. Miller, Senior Counsel, American Humanist Association

Reading Women v. Religion is truly a journey through the minds and lives of women who have experienced the oppression and intimidation of the Abrahamic religions. They often lay their inner struggles bare as they take you through the journey of being in search of validation and wholeness. The essays clearly show that as one attempts to meet the constrictions of religious rightness and goodness they become lost to themselves. Shame, guilt, sin prevail until religions grip is released allowing for the full expression of the individual.

Rebecca (Becky) Hale, President, American Humanist Association and board member of the International Humanist and Ethical Union

Despite the patriarchal and misogynist origins of many world religions, women of all ethnicities have the highest rates of religious participation across the globe. What accounts for this seeming contradiction? What social and cultural factors can address this disparity? The multi-faceted essays of Karen Garsts Women v. Religion provide an insightful historical critique of the dominance of organized religion and how it undermines gender equality, womens self-determination, and the agency of women of color. The book is a valuable resource for secular and religious scholars seeking an alternative to the thesis that organized religion and faith are necessary moral and social forces in womens lives.

Sikivu Hutchinson, author of Moral Combat: Black Atheists, Gender Politics and the Values Wars and Godless Americana: Race and Religious Rebels

Abrahamic religions infantilize all people, with their father figures and supplication demands. But women are especially subordinated. How? Karen Garst explains, in a book that provides a valuable compendium of smart, thoughtful critiques of religions treatment of women. This tightly edited collection of essays by an array of accomplished women writers will enlighten and entertain even as it infuriates you with its deep dive into the patriarchy that is religion.

Robyn E. Blumner, President & CEO, Center for Inquiry and Executive Director, Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason & Science

If you ever wondered about womens roles in religion through the ages, Women v. Religion will thoroughly educate you. If you ever doubted that religion has systematically subjugated women, this book will dispel those doubts. This set of essays is clearly written by 13 secular women and carefully edited by Karen Garst, but its not exactly an easy read. Its a serious, revelatory, sometimes revolting and always carefully portrayed collection of womens trials with religion.

Linda LaScola, co-author with Daniel C. Dennett of Caught in the Pulpit: Leaving Belief Behind

This is an important and timely book, at a time when Islam is being labelled as a feminist religion by ignorant feminists who know little of its bloodied past. It is important to look at the time before Islam, at the lives of women erased during early Islam, so this myth of an equal religion cannot be popularized.

Sadia Hameed, Spokesperson, Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain

Pitchstone Publishing

Durham, North Carolina

www.pitchstonepublishing.com

Copyright 2018 by Karen L. Garst, PhD

All rights reserved

Printed in the USA

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Garst, Karen L., editor.

Title: Women v. religion : the case against faithand for freedom / edited by Karen L. Garst, PhD.

Description: Durham, North Carolina : Pitchstone Publishing, 2018. | Includes bibliographical references.

Identifiers: LCCN 2017058147 (print) | LCCN 2018007940 (ebook) | ISBN 9781634311717 (epub) | ISBN 9781634311724 (ePDF) | ISBN 9781634311731 (mobi) | ISBN 9781634311700 (pbk. : alk. paper)

Subjects: LCSH: Women and religion. | Sexism in religion.

Classification: LCC BL458 (ebook) | LCC BL458 .W655 2018 (print) | DDC 200.82dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017058147

To Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Take the snake, the fruit-tree and the woman from the tableau, and we have no fall, nor frowning Judge, no Inferno, no everlasting punishmenthence no need of a Savior. Thus the bottom falls out of the whole Christian theology. Here is the reason why in all the Biblical researches and high criticisms, the scholars never touch the position of women.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton, in defense of The Womans Bible

Introduction
Karen L. Garst, PhD

1. Guilt, Shame, and Psychological Pain
Candace Gorham, LPC

2. Half Human: How Jewish Law Justifies the Exclusion and Exploitation of Women