It seems that Pope Francis has finally read Margaret Farley’s Just Love; and while he is taking steps in a positive direction, he still needs to spend time processing Farley’s words. With his new statement, Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of… Read More ›
Gina Messina-Dysert
God Calls Me to be a BITCH by Gina Messina-Dysert
I’m often called a bitch. No surprise really. I am a woman working my way into roles that are considered men’s. As a woman in leadership, my decisions are rarely respected. I am just a bitch making unreasonable demands. As… Read More ›
Kasich Cuts Women by Gina Messina-Dysert
Kasich is cutting women from Ohio’s budget. In an attempt to prove himself a conservative and worthy of the title of POTUS, he has taken a step towards joining the ranks of Trump and Cruz using fear and misogyny as… Read More ›
Pope Francis, Complementarity, and US Politics by Gina Messina-Dysert
A theology of complementarity, referred to by Pope Francis as an “anthropological fact,” has had a strong influence on American politics. According to the Vatican teaching, women and men have distinct but complementary roles, meaning that women’s value is found… Read More ›
Gun Control and Party Lines by Gina Messina-Dysert
Guns and bibles have somehow become linked in this nation. Particularly throughout the midwest and the south, many associate their right to own a gun with their Christian religious values. I personally find this confusing given Jesus’ stance on non-violence. Many… Read More ›
On the Syrian Refugee Crisis: Unity not Fear by Gina Messina-Dysert
In the midst of the Syrian refugee crisis, our humanity is being tested and we are not fairing so well. Twenty-six US senators have called to refuse entry for refugees in their states, presidential candidate and governor of my home… Read More ›
Reform? Progress? By Elise M. Edwards
In my class yesterday (a survey of Christian thought and practices), I was lecturing about monastic life in the Middle Ages. Among other points, I mentioned that medieval religious orders provided settings where women could be educated and assume leadership… Read More ›
The Politics of Being a Woman in a “Christian Nation” by Gina Messina-Dysert, Jennifer Zobair and Amy Levin
The far right is pitting God against women. Mike Huckabee’s support for the decision to deny a 10-year-old rape victim an abortion is just another example in a long history that continues this election season. At Fox News’ Republican Presidential debate in… Read More ›
The Francis Blindspot by Gina Messina-Dysert
The day Pope Francis was elected is a memorable one for many Catholics, myself included. Watching our new pope walk out on to the balcony of the Vatican and bow to the crowd left me in tears. It seemed in… Read More ›
Faithfully Feminist by Gina Messina-Dysert
“Why do you stay?” It is a question I am often asked when I reveal my Catholic feminist identity. It is not lost on me that such a question is one that is often posed to women in abusive relationships. … Read More ›
Pope Francis is Paving the Way to FutureChurch by Gina Messina-Dysert
The enthusiasm we have seen for Pope Francis over the last year is exceptional. Polls show that among American Catholics he has a 90% approval rating. He has garnered more than 12 million Twitter followers and even broke a Rolling… Read More ›
Supporting Gender Equality in the Church Results in Excommunication by Gina Messina-Dysert
It is unnerving to think that excommunication is still a real threat in the 21st century. Within both the Catholic and Mormon Churches members continue to be bullied into submission with such threats. Today, speaking out against gender injustice seems… Read More ›
#BringBackOurGirls is Making an Impact by Gina Messina-Dysert
It has been more than a month since Boko Haram militants kidnapped nearly 300 girls from their school in Nigeria. The social media cry for justice #BringBackOurGirls has fostered global attention; however some have criticized the campaign claiming it is… Read More ›
“Talking Taboo”: Register for WATER’s Feminist Conversations in Religion Teleconference
WATER’s Feminist Conversations in Religion Series Presents “Talking Taboo” Part Two An hour long teleconference with Grace BiskieGina Messina-DysertTara Woodard-LehmanKatey Zeh Wednesday, February 5, 2014 1-2PM EST The book, Talking Taboo: American Christian Get Frank About Faith edited by Erin Lane and… Read More ›
Let Us Give Thanks for Feminism and Religion Dot Com by Carol P. Christ
Feminism and Religion was founded in the late spring of 2011. Throughout the summer Gina Messina-Dysert hounded me about submitting a blog while I ignored her emails because I didn’t think I wanted to take on a new project. Gina… Read More ›
Rosemary Radford Ruether’s Quests for Hope and Meaning by Gina Messina-Dysert
Rosemary Radford Ruether is one of the most brilliant theologians of our time and her newly released autobiography, My Quest for Hope and Meaning, is a gift to those of us who have been so touched by her work. In… Read More ›
The New Feminist Revolution in Religion by Gina Messina-Dysert
This week I will be attending the American Academy of Religion/Society of Biblical Literature (AAR/SBL) Conference in Baltimore Maryland. In celebration of the second anniversary of Feminism and Religion and the continued efforts of feminists in the field within the… Read More ›
What Would Malala Do? by Gina Messina-Dysert
October 11th was International Day of the Girl – a movement that empowers girls around the world to see themselves as powerful change agents. This year’s theme is “Innovation for girls’ education.” Certainly, this makes sense given that education is… Read More ›
Feminism vs. Humanism: Continuing to Claim a Feminist Identity by Gina Messina-Dysert
Recently Susan Sarandon was asked if she is a feminist and her response left many asking if perhaps we are moving towards a post-feminist world. Of course, the very fact that Sarandon was asked if she is a feminist well… Read More ›
Losing my Mother and Realizing her Resurrection by Gina Messina-Dysert
Five years ago today I buried my mother. Violence took her life; however because of this patriarchal culture we live in, there was no prosecution in her death. Violence against women is of little consequence in our society. She died… Read More ›
Rape Culture and Abstinence Only Education by Gina Messina-Dysert
Rape culture, as has been noted on Feminism and Religion in multiple articles (see Carol Christ’s post this week), permeates every aspect of our society, every aspect of our lives. Something that I believe warrants serious attention is Elizabeth Smart’s… Read More ›
Selfish Working Mothers Destroying the Natural Order? by Gina Messina-Dysert
It was nearly twelve years ago when I sat before my then pastor in pre-cana counseling and was told “how nice it is that you are trying to help women by working in a domestic violence shelter, but now that… Read More ›
Rape Culture, Sexual Violence, and Spiritual Healing by Gina Messina-Dysert
Recently I had the great pleasure of presenting on the WATER Teleconference Series and dialoguing with women from around the world about how to promote healing in a rape culture. Likewise, in a previous post I discussed rape culture in… Read More ›
I Dream of Pope Francis by Gina Messina-Dysert
It was just last week that I received an email from Pope Francis. He wrote me having seen my interview with Tavis Smiley and said he sympathized with my appeal for a Church that serves the needs of the people. … Read More ›
What We’ve Learned from Steubenville by Gina Messina-Dysert
The nation has watched over these last several months as the rape case in Steubenville, Ohio has unfolded in the media. On March 17, 2013 the verdict was announced and the two teenage boys accused of raping a 16 year… Read More ›
Hate Mail and the Privilege of Having a Voice by Gina Messina-Dysert
This past week I was honored to have the opportunity to talk with Tavis Smiley on PBS about the resignation of the Pope and the future of the Catholic Church. Although some have argued that the pope stepping down means… Read More ›
Let the Walls Come Tumbling Down by Dawn Morais Webster
If we want to see real change in the church, Catholics need a Rosa Parks moment. Thousands fill St. Peter’s Square for the final blessing. A gleaming helicopter whisks the Pope off to his summer palace, Castel Gandolfo. He tells… Read More ›
The Papal Resignation and Future of the Catholic Church by Gina Messina-Dysert
I was flattered when I received a call from The Tavis Smiley Show on PBS and was asked to appear on the show to discuss the Pope’s resignation and the future of the Catholic Church. It was an amazing opportunity… Read More ›
Les Miserables’ Fantine, Women’s Suffering, and Female Migrant Labor by Gina Messina-Dysert
Upon the recommendation of several friends and colleagues I decided to see the film Les Miserables. It is rare these days that I make it to the movies. My life is generally over scheduled and spare time is nonexistent. So… Read More ›
Illuminations: A Novel of Hildegard von Bingen By Barbara Ardinger
The Great Goddess and Divine Mother of Us All manifests where and to whom She chooses, no matter what faith we hold. In the 12th century, She manifested to a German nun named Hildegard. Hildegard’s story has been told in… Read More ›
