Join Christian faith leaders at noon on Thursday, March 5, 2020, to reflect on the promise of the Equal Rights Amendment in this live conversation co-hosted in collaboration with Justice Revival.
Guests include:
- Rev. Dr. Serene Jones,President of Union Theological Seminary and Johnston FamilyProfessor for Religion and Democracy
- Rev. Dr. Traci C. West,James W. Pearsall Professor of Christian Ethics and African American Studies, Drew Theological School
- Sister Joan Chittister,OSB, Benedictine Sister, author, and lecturer; Co-Chair, The Global PeaceInitiative of Women
- Allyson McKinney Timm, Esq., Moderator,Founder and Executive Director of Justice Revival
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Advocates concerned about domestic and sexual violence, pregnancy and pay discrimination, and other ills of gender inequity have found renewed hope for reform as the Equal Rights Amendment has gained momentum in recent years. Affirming that, “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged… on account of sex,” the ERA would increase barriers to gender discrimination and enable Congress to better address injustice against women. Thirty-eight states have now ratified the ERA, reaching the requisite three-fourths threshold, although legal and political hurdles to its fruition remain.
In this roundtable conversation, a diverse panel of eminent faith leaders will discuss the significance of the ERA from the perspective of their scholarship, religious convictions, and experiences in ministry and public life. Acknowledging the religious resistance that often occupies the spotlight, this conversation will center the insights of those moved by faith to endorse and advocate for the ERA as an act of justice. On the eve of International Women’s Day, join us for this vital conversation on women’s rights.
Welcome! We are here to discuss Faith and eqaulity
What has the #MeToo movement taught us?
RevDr Traci West: Church has been too slow to respond and lead. Barely able to respond. Lets move into hthe arena of PREVENTION! Don't just focus on criminal justice system--problematic for communities of color. Much work to do. Way beyond whats been done.
RevDR Serene Jones: Agree with what Traci said. She said and I agree public cultural awakening is important and dramatic.
Women need to be able to speak out. Roots of mysoginy --why did women become sexual objects?
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Sister Joan Chittister: As a Catholic there is a disconnect between us and the institutions.
Women are just as vulnerable to violence in our churches than they are anywhere else.
Male assumptions defined by male-led organizations that make them complicit in this abuse. Until churches that abuse begins with them, we will not see progress.
Churches still trying to "explain" that women's submission ("complemnetatrianism"--church teachings interpreted to mean human beings come in two flavors--women is HELPMATE of men)
Allyson McKinney-Tim: How this connects to the ERA--furst past by Congress 50 years ago would explicitly addresss women as equal persons.
RevDr Serene Jones: 50 years ago leading the ERA campaign at University of Oklahoma--it was LOGICAL
I was absolutely shocked when it didn't pass.
My state of Oklahoma passed it.
Now the New ERA Coalition is about bringing this forward again--we could not let this rest.
The problems are now at the State level..Congress will pass extension easily
I am hopeful about this new coalition, though we have a lot of work to do.
Making sure ALL women's experience in encompassed is important
West: Seems strange that we are having trouble asserting EQUALITY among human beings
Just joined the conversation , I wish I had connected earlier HAFIDA
Welcome Hafida!
Amazing to hear the struggle led by women from the church to have equality provisions in the constitution.. difficult for us, in Maghreb , when all constitution established equality , as second article ..
Remember that Thomas Jefferson who framed EQUALITY for our nation was a child rapist (Sally Hemmings). so we must have explicit and direct legal measures that address the fundamental inequality and access to justice. This has HISTORICAL political and religious roots
Above comment summarized comments from Traci West
Yes thanks , I follow your comments
We have had recently religious resistance, bu t on the law on violence against women . women’s deputies from Islamist parties opposed it on the pretext that
Penalizing or indicting a man// a husband would be equal to breaking the family
We changed the articles of the constitution were wife must obey the husk
Husband , and man is the family chief ..is has been repealed in 2012 and 2016
Yes many faith communities have this struggle!
Religious resistance to the ERA is real
West: many ways religion has been used as a weapon for inequality and economic power over enslaved and empowered people —deep hypocrisy about being a nation committed to equality and “freedom”
She is so right :: economic power , justified by the Scriptures !!!!!!!!
West: ongoing reality—scripture has been interested to preserve white supremacy and power
She is so right !!! Admirable
sister Joan—When will they preach FROM THE PULPIT that violence against women is A MORTAL SIN will it change
Churches are NOT standing up!
Chittister: only 11% of Protestant churches are led by women too—congregations hear GOD through HE only
The church must confess and repent! First thing you learn is confession is needed
Church doing “women’s reading groups” but don’t ask question —How have we honored that it was MARY who took the message to the Apostles
Mary Magdalena
QUESTION: where are the possibilities to make progress?
We should not have a seminary graduation without student passing course on VAW in church?
Jones: within denominations there are opportunities—yes to courses at seminaries albeit also ALL undergrads
Jones: need to think more holistically in less binary ways—need to get feminism in eco justice and other interconnections—on white supremacy as well
McKinney-Tim—how can we allow for religious voices despite the hesitancy to engage religion in contemporary political culture—especially now in this environment
West—we Must talk about religion because it the source
South Africa —so deeply trying to reverse its apartheid past —activists worked very hard to make that happen!! We can do that here
South Africa constitution was a breakthrough
Chittister: we start as a people separating from other people —“city on the hill” and we divided ourselves through white supremacy—it’s going to take people willing to deconstruct
Women’s Book Clubs—Igniting firecrackers under church workers in other countries
FIND YOUR OWN GROUP—read them out loud to each other. Immerse yourselves—be your own teacher!!
Yes! We will share these ideas on this forum! 😊
Great dialogue
Jones: we need to interrogate WHY Christian Right is opposing ERA??
Thanks for inviting me
Hope you are doing well
Thank you for joining Hafida
West: GOD created each of you listening—you are PRECIOUS!! Let’s be in solidarity!!
Great discussion!
Watch this space for future events