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Aquinas, Ruether, Misogyny &
the November Election 03/19/2024 |
Yesterday we meditated on Thomas Aquinas’s courageous and controversial move against dualisms of matter vs spirit and body vs. soul that had characterized much of Christian theology for centuries.
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We invoked theologian Rosemary Ruether who lays much of the oppression of women to a philosophy of dualism found in the “fathers” of the Christian church. She says: Although women were no more bodily and sexual than men, the |
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male perspective tended to equate the dualism of soul or mind over body with the dualism of male over female. Women came to be regarded as closer to the flesh than men. Notice how she connects dualism of soul/mind over body with the dualism of male over female. Any empowerment of
women needs to move beyond this dualism. And Aquinas did exactly that by choosing Aristotle over Plato. |
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| Ruether continues: The negative view of sex and the body is assimilated into a negative view of women as spiritually inferior to men and more identified with the carnal instincts. This creates a fearful view of sex and a |
fanatical misogyny toward women that becomes characteristic of the Christian monastic tradition. Notice the price we pay due in a philosophical dualism—a “fearful view of and a fanatical misogyny toward women” follows along with negative attitudes toward our bodies. She criticizes an anti-sexual attitude as being unbiblical because it is not Jewish: This is different from Judaism which, although it regarded
women as socially subordinated, had a much more positive view of sexuality. |
This misogyny and fear of sex is very much in the news these days. The SCOTUS position backed by many right-wing politicians declares that they have the right to control women’s bodies in the 21st century. The invocation of two 17th century English jurists who ruled that witches should be burned at the stake in the SCOTUS decision to |
Moving beyond dualism: Eden Amadora describes what it’s like to embody the Divine Feminine in the modern world. Video by Eden
Amadora. |
overthrow Roe v Wade underscores that supposed mandate. The decision that followed from a similar philosophy by a judge in Alabama to forbid IVF followed. And now the beating of the drums to forbid contraception. The fanaticism does not cease. Ideas—and philosophies—bear
consequences. As do elections. Our attitude toward the body results in attitudes within the body politic. Both are on the ballot this November. |
Adapted from Rosemary Ruether, “Patristic Spirituality and the Experience of Women in the Early Church,” in Fox, ed., Western Spirituality: Historical Roots, Ecumenical Routes, p. 145.
See also, M. D. Chénu, “Body and Body Politic in the Creation Spirituality of Thomas Aquinas, in ibid., pp. 198-214.
And Matthew Fox, Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation Spirituality, pp. 36-48, 149-156.
And Fox, The Tao of Thomas Aquinas: Fierce Wisdom For Hard Times, pp. 57-64.
Banner Image: 14th-century miniature of women being burned as witches,
with others held in stocks. Public Domain. Wikimedia Commons |
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Queries for Contemplation Do you recognize misogyny as being on the ballot this November? How best to combat it? |
Responses are welcomed. To add
your comment, or read other comments and enter into dialog, please click HERE to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments
field. |
Western Spirituality: Historical Roots, Ecumenical Routes In this book, Fox gathers scholars from various cultures and traditions such as Helen Kenik, Jon Sobrino, Nicolas Berdyaev, Rosemary
Ruether, M. D. Chenu, Mary Jose Hobday, Ronald Miller, Monika Hellwig, James Kenney, Justin O’Brien and others to approach creation spirituality from many traditions and many angles.
“An exciting and important book…a pleasant alternative to the oppressive burden of the fall/redemption tradition.” ~ New Review of Books and Religion |
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Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation
Spirituality
Matthew Fox renders Thomas Aquinas accessible by interviewing him and thus descholasticizing him. He also translated many of his works such as Biblical commentaries never before in English (or Italian or German of French). He gives Aquinas a forum so that he can be heard in our own time. He presents Thomas Aquinas entirely in his own words, but in a form designed to
allow late 20th-century minds and hearts to hear him in a fresh way.
“The teaching of Aquinas comes through will a fullness and an insight that has never been present in English before and [with] a vital message for the world today.” ~ Fr. Bede Griffiths (Afterword).
Foreword by Rupert Sheldrake |
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The Tao of Thomas Aquinas: Fierce Wisdom for Hard Times
A stunning spiritual handbook drawn from the substantive teachings of Aquinas’ mystical/prophetic genius, offering a sublime roadmap for spirituality and
action.
Foreword by Ilia Delio.
“What a wonderful book! Only Matt Fox could bring to life the wisdom and brilliance of Aquinas with so much creativity. The Tao of Thomas Aquinas is a masterpiece.”
–Caroline Myss, author
of Anatomy of the Spirit |
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In the Beginning There Was Joy: A Cosmic Celebration for Kids of All Ages
The first book in the Father Fox’s Fantastical Fables series tells the story of the big bang and how humans fit into the awesome, fantastical,
cosmic picture! With artwork curated from illustrators around the world, this book expresses the joy and wonder of all peoples and cultures, planting seeds of respect, cooperation and hope to work together for the healing of our planet. "Matthew Fox does it again, here for our young ones, who so need a positive, cosmic vision
to thrive, or even survive, in a sad time." - Father Richard Rohr, Author of The Universal Christ "Matthew Fox offers a resounding affirmation of what our souls have always suspected: we are made for joy." - Mirabai Starr, Author of God of Love and Wild Mercy Receive a 20% discount when you buy this and one other book from Matthew Fox’s store! Use Promo Code 20% at checkout. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar
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Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book Passion for Creation: The Earth-Honoring Spirituality of Meister Eckhart in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, Thursday, March 21, 4:00-5:30 pm PT.
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Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation Spirituality in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, Thursday, April 18, 4:00-5:30 pm PT.
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Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Matthew Fox speaks on "What the Mystics Tell Us About Dying" at the 2024 Symposium on Death and Bereavement Studies. To listen, click the video thumbnail at right. |
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