Author Archives

Gina Messina, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Ursuline College and Co-founder of Feminism and Religion. She writes for the Huffington Post and is the author or editor of five books including "Faithfully Feminist" and "Jesus in the White House: Make Humanity Great Again." Her research interests are theologically and ethically driven, involve a feminist and interdisciplinary approach, and are influenced by her activist roots and experience working with survivors of rape and domestic violence. Gina is a widely sought after speaker and has presented across the US at universities, organizations, conferences, and in the national news circuit including appearances on Tavis Smiley, MSNBC, NPR, and the TEDx stage. She has also spoken at the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations to discuss matters impacting the lives women around the globe. She is active in movements to end violence against women and explores opportunities for spiritual healing for those who have encountered gender-based violence. Connect with Gina on Facebook, Twitter @GMessinaPhD, Instagram @GinaMessinaPhD, and her website http://www.ginamessina.com.

• Spirituality and Happiness by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on January 15, 2020 • ( 8 )

  

  A course on happiness at Harvard University is the most popular class in the nation right now. It is taught by Tal Ben-Shahar who also wrote the book Happier based on his curriculum. “What does it mean to be happy?”… Read More ›

• Where’s the Love by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on October 16, 2019 • ( 4 )

  

  In a recent post I wrote about finding God in music. I confess, I cannot remember the last time I set foot in a church. As a woman, I continually grapple with the foundational messages of Jesus and Catholic Social… Read More ›

• Some Lessons We Learn the Hard Way by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on September 19, 2019 • ( 10 )

  

  I’ve written some very personal things in my most recent posts sharing that I am working towards a rebirth. The terrain has been rough and I keep waiting for a smooth path to appear on the horizon; but it isn’t… Read More ›

• Mary of Magdala and Intersectionality by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on August 21, 2019 • ( 9 )

  

  We recently celebrated the feast day of St. Mary of Magdala, a woman who is responsible for the founding of the Christian tradition and a model of what it means to live up to the role and expectation of being… Read More ›

• Finding God in Music by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on July 17, 2019 • ( 6 )

  

  We cannot force a connection with God through a faulty conduit. What is important is that we affirm ourselves when we find it — when we feel it. Embrace those experiences, name them for what they are and recognize that you are sacred and the divine – whatever that means to you – is present.

• Grief and Rebirth by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on June 19, 2019 • ( 9 )

  

  Rebirth is challenging. It demands that we be accountable, acknowledge failures and fears, recognize the ramifications of our actions, and the ways we impact those who share our journey. We often don’t realize that denying self-love and care in favor of sacrifice for others results in a double negative. If we don’t care or ourselves, we cannot care for anyone else. 

• A Family Resurrected by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on April 19, 2019 • ( 12 )

  

  Today, Good Friday, marks the seventh anniversary of one of the most significant dates in my life – the adoption of my daughter, Sarah.  On Easter Sunday, 2012 I wrote about the resurrection of my family. Much has changed since… Read More ›

• Expectations and Fulfillment by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on March 19, 2019 • ( 5 )

  

  What is happiness? We all seek it. And yet, it seems so difficult to define. We often find ourselves drawn to options for synthetic happiness — having more things. I am embarrassed to admit that when I am struggling, I… Read More ›

• Who is God? by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on February 20, 2019 • ( 34 )

  

  I often say I am a theologian who is uncomfortable with prayer and does not have a relationship with God. What I mean is that I am still trying to figure out how I understand the divine; conventional prayers feel… Read More ›

• Dissent by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on January 16, 2019 • ( 14 )

  

  I often share that what I’ve learned about strength, perseverance, and responsibility, I learned from my grandmother and namesake, Gina. In November we celebrated her life and said goodbye to the pioneering woman who overcame the greatest of obstacles to… Read More ›

• Identity Politics by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on November 21, 2018 • ( 6 )

  

  This past week my daughter, Sarah and I had a conversation about God: Sarah: Dad says God is a myth. He doesn’t exist. Me: Well none of us really know who God is because we’re humans. And besides, God is… Read More ›

• A Time for Organized Rage by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on October 20, 2018 • ( 14 )

  

  With the recent confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh and the torturous treatment of Christine Blasey Ford, we are reminded that we continue to live in a rape culture and very often, Christianity — and religion in general — is used as… Read More ›

• EcoJustice and Our Relationship with God by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on September 19, 2018 • ( 10 )

  

  This semester I am teaching the course EcoJustice and chose Sallie McFague’s A New Climate for Theology as our foundational text. Something I greatly appreciate about McFague is that she continually calls us to radically redefine our understanding of the Divine… Read More ›

• Nasty Women Activate by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on August 14, 2018 • ( 5 )

  

  I’ve had the privilege of reading for pleasure this summer, a rarity in my world. Nonetheless, the books I tend to reach for are those that also pertain to my research interests and activism. I really can’t say the last… Read More ›

• Will Donald Trump Go to Heaven? by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on July 18, 2018 • ( 17 )

  

  Having seen the image of a toddler crying while law enforcement questioned her mother, my daughter was filled with fear, anxiety, and confusion. After tearfully asking if she would be taken away from me, my nine year old followed up… Read More ›

• Do This in Memory of Me By Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on May 16, 2018 • ( 13 )

  

  The passing of my mother was very sudden.  At the young age of fifty-six, I thought I had many years to spend with her so I hadn’t worried that any conversation with my mom would also be our last.  Now… Read More ›

• Remembering MLK’s Life, not Death by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on April 5, 2018 • ( 5 )

  

  Yesterday marked the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Thousands gathered at his memorial and many more rallied across the U.S. to honor King’s commitment to civil rights and non-violent action. His message continues to resonate… Read More ›

• Why I Stay by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on January 17, 2018 • ( 26 )

  

  Why do you stay?  It is a question I am often asked – but not because I am in an abusive relationship; rather because I am Catholic…and a feminist. Now please let me say up front, this is an inappropriate… Read More ›

• God Says No Moore by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on December 20, 2017 • ( 8 )

  

  Doug Jones victory in the Alabama Senate election last Tuesday is certainly something to celebrate. Although many claimed God supported Roy Moore for Senate, his defeat says otherwise. However, it must be noted that this narrow victory ended with 48%… Read More ›

• Why We Don’t Tell by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on November 15, 2017 • ( 10 )

  

  Roy Moore is the next in line to be exposed as a sexual predator in a long list that has unfolded since the Harvey Weinstein scandal. I find it both comical and distressing that Moore has attempted to justify his… Read More ›

• In Memory of Joseph R. LaGuardia: The Good and Faithful Servant by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on October 18, 2017 • ( 8 )

  

  There are so many massive tragedies in the world that need to be addressed at the moment. However, for me, there is only one that I want to write about today and it is the passing of my dear friend,… Read More ›

• White Christianity, Flags, and Football by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on September 30, 2017 • ( 16 )

  

  While Puerto Rico has faced its worst natural disaster in over a century; Trump has once again used trumpfoolery to distract his base from his failed action in assisting Americans in crisis by starting a fight with the NFL. It… Read More ›

• Resistance and the Religious Left by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on June 21, 2017 • ( 12 )

  

  For the last forty years, the Christian Right has influenced the conversation in American politics. Where is the Religious Left and how are they impacting our nation’s moral agenda? It is an important question, and now, more than ever, we… Read More ›

• Make Humanity Great Again by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on June 5, 2017 • ( 6 )

  

  The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu has become my latest guilty pleasure.  I rarely watch television and when I do my channel is set to MSNBC. But the news has been almost too much to handle.  I still find myself living… Read More ›

• Out of the Darkness by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on March 20, 2017 • ( 11 )

  

  Today is Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, a time to celebrate moving into light and abundance after the darker cold winter. While many of us are lucky enough to have shelter and access to food out of season, this… Read More ›

• Confronting the White Christian Vote for Trump by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on January 18, 2017 • ( 11 )

  

  This week a politician from Connecticut reached between a woman’s legs and pinched her genitals saying that he loves this new world where he doesn’t have to be politically correct. Sadly, this is just another act of violence among many perpetrated… Read More ›

• Don’t Treat Religious Women Like Second Class Feminists by Gina Messina, Jennifer Zobair, and Amy Levin

  By Gina Messina on December 21, 2016 • ( 10 )

  

  It seems like every few weeks another young, female celebrity proudly and publicly declares she is not a feminist: Shailene Woodley. Katy Perry. Kelly Clarkson. Kendall Jenner. These women often justify their refusal to claim feminism by explaining they do… Read More ›

• Hate Trumps Love? by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on November 16, 2016 • ( 6 )

  

  This election cycle has left many of us in a serious state of mourning.  The idea that Donald Trump could be elected president following the many bigoted, xenophobic, and sexist statements he has made seemed impossible, and yet it has… Read More ›

• The Trump (Non)Contrition by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on October 19, 2016 • ( 8 )

  

  Regardless of bigotry and hate spewed by the Republican candidate for President of the United States, the American Christian Right has been among his strongest supporters. Following the disturbing video of Donald Trump discussing sexually assaulting women, many Republicans have… Read More ›

• Trumpery in America by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on September 21, 2016 • ( 12 )

  

  Throughout his campaign, Trump has spent his time in front of crowds justifying his penis size, boasting about what a “winner” he is, and encouraging fear, violence, hatred, and nationalism. After a man was attacked at a recent rally, Trump… Read More ›