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Priestesses...witches, magistras,satanists, oh my! How Women Deserve the Pulpit!
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A typical male view of female clergy
Although traditional religions have been catching up and enjoying the benefits of female clergy, previously only the alternative religions embraced this religious practice. In fact it isn't unusual to find that many people found their way to alternative religions based on the acceptance of and the comfort brought by female clergy. This should surprise no one,
Back in the late 70's and early 80's as the neo-Pagan revolution was hitting it's stride, women were finding themselves discovering a past that had included them religiously. Although often challenged by academia there were significant artifacts and writings that supported the Wiccan notion that religion had been mostly matrifocal prior to the agricultural revolution, and that Priestesses reigned above other clergy in most cultures.
Authors such as Riane Eisler, Clarissa Estes, Starhawk, and the incomparable Barbara Walker wrote about ancient religions that were centered around Priestesses, and how these religions were devastated by monotheistic patriarchy. They put forth the seemingly sane notion that the person who held the religious power, or more importantly the gender of the person who holds that power, is likely to be the gender that holds the social power as well. The advent of monotheistic patriarchy, therefore, brought about the destruction of the power of women in every way. By bringing back Priestess based religion, it followed, we could bring back female power in all aspects of society. 'nifty thinking!
So, for a decade or three the argument has continued. From the hallowed halls of Academia to the happily caffinated coffee houses of America, from the country covens to the urbane theosophists the debate has existed, and it has continued in tones that range from rage to that which borders on disinterest as what was bears no real meaning on what is.
What is certain is that female clergy have the ability to make strong and unique contributions to their various religions. The three big traditional faiths would do well to learn from the alternatives the value of a Priestess that comes with the same innate and organic attributes associated with motherhood.
In Wicca most covens have either a Priest and a Priestess sharing equal roles as leaders of the group, or a Priestess running the group mostly solo. This is not, supposedly, a way to denigrate or get revenge on men, although many see it that way.* Instead it is the understanding of what clergy is supposed to provide for people, and the unique way women as priestesses can provide it. Women are genetically programmed, as mothers, to fulfill all the roles traditionally associated with clergy. We encourage and we scold. We teach and we challenge. We punish and we forgive.
Currently the religious debate seems more about sexual orientation than gender.While important it would seem that until we have equal rights among the sexes it is highly unlikely we'll be enlightened enough to accept equal rights for homosexuals of all stripes. As long as traditional religions consider women insufficiently holy to perform as a servant of God in order to provide for their respective flocks, the less likely women will have sufficient power to matter.
Generations have seen images of power belonging to men. Those barriers have consistently been broken. Lawyers. Doctors. Cops. Politicians. Business. Women have comfortable and beneficially moved into all power catagories.....save religion.
So I suggest a round of applause to the alternative religions who long have held up a banner of enlightenment, common sense, and dignity. I curtsy before the" Lady's". To the Priestesses, Magistras, Witches, Sisters, Mothers and all other female clergy-members who devote their lives to the service of those who's faith they share. Like all mothers, they are over-worked, under-paid, and fantastically under appreciated.
*Sadly some women get a taste of power and go all macho. Nothing is sadder than women getting masculine power and behaving like a man! Sadder still is the view of pay-back---the notion that today's men need to be punished for the actions of their masculine ancestors. 'pathetic and pointless.
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