Feminist Subjectivity, Bodies, Selves and Sexuality

The term commonly used for feminist subjugation is Sexism which is expressed in stereotypic images of women and men in all aspects of public culture, such as literature, advertising and religious symbol. Sexism is reproduced from generation to generation through the specialization process from infancy, in the family, school, church, and other institution, so that it comes to be accepted as natural that males are superior and female are inferior.

1. Body in Feminist Theological Discourse

Feminist theologians criticize most traditional Christian anthropology as focusing on men and male bodies, which are regarded as normative, while women are denied their voice in defining what it means to be human. Rosemary Radford Ruether distinguished between one-nature and two nature anthropologies. One-nature in the image of God is inevitably androcentric and views women as deviant from normative humanity and has less capacity for salvation. the other two-nature is based on a concept of gender complementarity that understand sexual difference in terms of one sex not being complete without the other. Feminist Theological Discourse on women bodies seeks to develop a concept of community and humanity that is based on relationships of mutuality, reciprocity and diversity. The fullness of being human is part of the original creation.

Throughout Christian tradition women’s bodies have been subject to denial. They have been regarded as ritually unclean and therefore in need of purification. Their bloodshed in menstruation and child birth is considered as polluting and defiling, hence women have therefore been banned from sanctuary. Feminist theologians argue that a Christian theology affirms the full humanity of women and the essential goodness of all creation and celebrate women and their bodies. So, the realities of women’s bodies need to take seriously. Women bodies should not be seen as polluting, as the objects of male desire, but as bodies that embody the body of Christ in many different aspects. Such sacramental theology of the body affirms the goodness of creation and enables a truly incarnational theology. A sacramental and Incarnational Theology of women’s bodies opens up the “canon” of relationships and affirms women’s lives and women’s bodies in relation as celebrations of the incarnation in this world.

Natalie K. Watson argues that overcoming female bodies, denying female sexuality is the only ways for women to overcome their inherent sinful and polluting nature. The paradigm evolves towards a reconsideration of the concept of salvation and redemption.

2. Understanding the Nature and Purpose of Human Sexuality

By “human sexuality,” we mean that particular aspect of God’s creation gift where, in marriage, we engage in physical sexual intimacy that is personal, self-giving, and spiritual in nature.

One of the fruits of this physical union is life - a new human person. This brings out another principle of God that is demonstrated by sex. That is, that life springs forth from love.

Monica Melanchthon argues that Sexuality is perceived by us to refer only to physical intimacy, or to be more specific, to sexual intercourse. Women are traditionally taught a sense of shame and embarrassment to talk about sex, or even touch our bodies. Traditional sex-roles socialization teaches women that they should not engage in sex for pleasure, but only for the sake of child-bearing and motherhood.

3. Celebrating Human Sexuality

David Thomas in his book Celebration of Human sexuality, argues that love-making freely accepted and given with tenderness, approaches a spiritual union which is the very nature of God. It is the beauty and joy of partnership. In celebration of human sexuality it leads to the joy of sexuality; the joy of partnership; the joy of making love; the joy of caring and ultimately the joy of celebration.

Sexual shame and the denial of feminine sexuality do not originate in the Bible at all. Such notions stem from the distorted views of early Church leaders who saw the human body as less than spiritual and found its impulses frightening and abhorrent, especially in the sexual realm. In the Bible we see recognition of sexual desire in both men and women, an emphasis on mutuality and equality in the sexual relationship.

Sexuality involves our ability as human beings to open our minds and hearts and whole selves to one another, to give and received in both emotional and physical intimacy. It has to do with our entire body. It has to do with our capacity for relationships, our desire to be connected, capacity our longing to be with someone we love, and our desire to transcend our separateness.