A predominant subject of controversy since the onset of the 19 th century has been feminism, its proponents, its ideologies together with those who criticize the concepts advanced by the movement (Gerami, 2012). Feminism is defined as the wide array of ideologies, political movements and social ideologies which construct and forward that members of both genders should be treated equally add accorded equal rights in all the spheres of life (Gerami, 2012). A major issue of contention and a subject of innumerable debates has been the prevalence of negative feminist notions regarding Christianity both as a religion and as a way of life (Gerami, 2012). Dominant feminist ideologies pertaining religion point to the aspect of misogyny and chauvinistic foundations of Christian theology from the advent of the theories of Christianity of Creation to the period of Christ (Gerami, 2012). Feminist over the years have affirmed the fact that the Scripture and the portrayal of Jesus suggests that God favors the male gender in addition to the power accorded to the male gender by virtue of the delineation of God and Jesus as being male.
Similarly, as controversial as feminist ideologies has been the film “American Jesus” which was directed by Aram Garigga. The documentary film aims to expose the concepts of Christian faith and practices as understood and demonstrated by Americans all around the country (Garigga, 2013). In order to achieve this, the film focuses on a wide and diverse array of American Christian believers, mainly preachers and individuals who claim to be men of the cloth either personally ordained or ordained by the community (Garigga, 2013). The film exposes the peculiar relationship between faith, materialism, politics together with the personal motivations for spiritual contentment and fulfillment (Garigga, 2013). The film offers raw insight into the depth of thinking of American believes and those who claim to be ministers and evangelists in addition to exposing the subjective and personal translation of the scriptures by different individuals to spread the religion of Christianity.
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The film has been subject to sceptics and wide criticism from Christians and religious leaders in addition to groups that felt either misrepresented of underrepresented such as those who consider themselves as progressive Christians. Despite this fact, it is notable from the testimonials given by a preacher that misogyny and chauvinism is still deeply entrenched within the fabric of religion in most parts of the country (Garigga, 2013). For instance, testimonials of white conservatives expose the view that feminism has negative consequences for the culture and religion of Christianity given its stance against majority of the concepts advanced by the religion that seem misogynistic (Garigga, 2013). The film therefore exposes the desire by some, and to some point a good majority, of preachers and religious leaders who are of the opinion that individuals in society should revert to religion and Christianity to evade an inhabitable society.
The belief by religious leaders who are conservative that commitment to religion would act to reinstate and reclaim masculinity and its traditional concepts within the fabric of society reinforces the belief in a connection between Christianity and misogynist attitudes and culture (Gerami, 2012). Given the prevalence of masculine inclined notions and stipulations in the scripture, it is evident that strict adherence to the Christian faith and its teachings would largely lead to the erosion of the advances made by feminism over the years to instill equality within cultures in society (Gerami, 2012). It gives perspective on how society and some religious teachings additionally rely of religion and religious teachings to impact negative connotations of masculinity upon the society which are deemed both traditional and non-conforming with the level of awareness of society (Gerami, 2012). Feminism and religion are yet to find congruence both in meaning and function and the conclusion of the conflict can only be speculated upon.
References
Garriga, A., Smith, K., Einstein, M., Stonier, M. & Rushkoff, D. (2013). American Jesus.
Gerami, S. (2012). Women and fundamentalism: Islam and Christianity . Routledge.
