Contemporary encounters in gender and religion: Introduction

Abstract

The introduction points out how until recently the relationship between feminist studies and studies of religion has been marked by mutual blindness. In the present moment of encounter between the fields, the veiled Muslim woman is at the center of attention. In critical response to the view of "the religious woman" as the epitome of female submission, feminist theorists argue that new approaches to agency, power and resistance are needed. The authors of this introduction show, however, that these debates are not new in the study of gender and religion, and point to significant continuities in feminist theorizing. The volume engages with the post-secular turn by opening the door to gendered religious and spiritual worlds in present-day Europe. Furthermore, the continuing relevance of concepts such as religion as practice and the feminization of religion in Europe are stressed.