Sex, Religion and Politics;
Mary Magdalene and Eve Encompass All Three
Sex, religion, and
politics; three subjects one never brings up in polite conversation. Mary Magdalene
and Eve encompass all three. What theologians have always known but it was politically
incorrect to discuss are topics not taught in Sunday school and better thought
left buried. Mary Magdalene and Eve are two female characters whose identity,
actions and image suffered in the hands of a Church fearful of female leadership. Mary was
more valuable seen as the redeemed prostitute, rather than the right hand of
Jesus, as the church sought to squelch women's roles in fledgling Christianity.
Eve was created simultaneously with Adam in some versions of Genesis (first
chapter verses 26-31) but was omitted from the Bible, suggesting justification
for the subjugation.
top of page
Post DaVinci
Code: Living the Feminine Enigma
Some would have you think those advocating a return
to incorporation of feminine values are liberals or angry feminists. Not so
say people in the know. Who are the new Goddess Advocates? Absent a bible of
doctrine or dogma, what do they believe? Would Church leaders become irrelevant
within a spirituality where advocates recognize divinity within, everywhere
outside themselves, and believe they have a direct pipeline to access enlightenment
or the Divine?
top of page
When Women
Ruled
Were there really
matriarchies? Neolithic matriarchies suggest a time when societies practiced
a balance of power between genders and principles of cooperation, compassion,
and partnership prevailed. Respect for nature, children, sexuality, motherhood
and women were priorities of the day. Life trumped death and power-over ideals.
Principles recognized as “feminine” were valued rather than denigrated within
society. What would a return to these kinds of ideals mean to the status quo,
motivated by power and greed?
top of page
Mary Magdalene
- From Prostitute to Priest
Why has The DaVinci
Code really struck such an interest in millions of readers? On the New York
Times bestseller list for years, with copies sold in the millions, the concepts within
this fictional novel have shaken faiths and raised questions; questions some
in power would rather left buried in the sands of time. The book and movie have
enraged theologians and caused Christians to counter the influence with “truth
squads” perpetuating their version of history. The book has been called the
catalyst for renewed interest in theology and women's roles in the ancient and
modern Church. Mary Magdalene has become a new role model for a new generation
of women. Can transparency and discussion be so bad?
top of page
Tipping Points
Change the Course of History
History is filled
with tipping points that changed the course of history. Riane Eisler, author and
scholar, says only a small percentage of people can help cause a much needed paradigm
shift. What if Antony and Cleopatra had won the battle of Actium and defeated
Rome? She, a priestess of Isis, and he, the personification of the Greek god,
Dionysus, would Paganism have been the over-riding influence in society today?
How would life be different? Many books, manuscripts and papyrus were destroyed
in an attempt to erase Goddess. What if the first printed book were not the Bible,
but some other tome extolling the virtues of a feminine face of God? Would women
still be chattel and second class citizens in so many countries across the globe?
top of page
Today's Divine
Feminine Movement is Not Your Mother's Feminist Movement
The Feminine Re-Emerges...and
niche markets respond as the Feminine takes hold with differences and developments
unlike the radical movement of decades past. New books, language, dictionaries,
classes, events, travel, websites focus on the Divine Feminine. The movement
has inspired new literary interpretations of early women and their roles. Degree
programs on women in religion and women's spirituality are emerging. “Women
in Scripture,” a new dictionary is in print. Sacred Places of Goddess: 108 Destination
addresses the need for new language which reflects the growing movement. A Women's
Study Bible has been published. Feminist commentaries on books of the New Testament
and Early Christian literature have been demanded. Websites such as Magdalene.org
and Beliefnet.com perpetuate the concepts on the Internet.
top of page
Much of Christianity
Borrowed from Paganism
Paganism had a great
influence on developing Christianity, unknown to many today practicing the Christian
faith. The cult of Isis and Osiris first spoke of rebirth and resurrection,
cornerstones in Christianity. The images of Jesus on Mary's lap was co-opted
from that of Isis holding her son, Horus. The Cult of the Virgin was influenced
by the more ancient Goddesses: Isis, Demeter and Artemis, with Mary sharing
some of these Goddess' epithets. No one can accurately cite Jesus' actual birth
date so Church officials in a very calculated move, chose December 25th, a
date first associated with pagan holy days. In another move to convert pagans
to Christianity, the Church closed pagan temples and opened churches on the
same sacred sites of pagan deities.
top of page
Americans
Making Pilgrimages on the Rise
The number of people
citing religion as the main purpose for their travel grew 16.9% between 2002
and 2004 (Chicago Tribune, April 30, 2006) matching the percentage growth in
total overseas travel. People citing religion as only one of the reasons for
their travel and the growth was 22.5%. Why are people turning toward purposeful
travel? What does traveling to these sites awaken in the individual? What are
sacred sites and what do people do when they get there? What is Jerusalem Syndrome?
Is purposeful or mindful travel similar to ancient pilgrimage?
top of page
What They Didn't Teach You
in Sunday School
What they didn't
teach you in Sunday school and what the Church would rather you did not know
have been awakened by the factual elements of The DaVinci Code. Intrigued by these revelations of the
Feminine Face of God, more people are taking responsibility for their own education,
asking critical and tough questions, and making informed decisions. People are
awakening and losing their “sheep mentality” discovering alternative interpretations
about history and religion.
top of page
Is Goddess
any Different than God in a Skirt?
Examine the principles of masculine vs. feminine ideals
and the patriarchal vs. matrifocal principles. See how and when Western culture
changed as the Church outlawed Goddess. Athena, represented a shift toward patriarchy
as Goddess goes from Creatrix of all to simply an incubator for the male seed.
This patriarchal paradigm has changed the relationship between men and women,
the face of religion and politics and has prevented society from experiencing
a balance in gender relations. Who has the most to gain from Goddess spirituality?
Who has the most to lose?
top of page
