Because religion has such a compelling hold on the deep psyches of so many people, feminists cannot afford to leave it in the hands of the fathers. Even people who no longer "beieve in God" or participate in the institutional structure of patriarchial religion still may not be free of the power of the symbolism of God the Father. A symbol's effect does not depend on rational assent, for symbol also functions on levels of the psyche other than the rational.
From "Why Women Need the Goddess: Phenomenological, Psychological,and Political Reflections" by Carol P. Christ in The Politics of Women's Spirituality ed. by Charlene Spretnak.
2 comments:
Aah, yes, the first book on goddess spirituality that I read as a college student in a religion and social justice course.
We are so conditioned to accept Father God. My own dad was nicer than the dude in the Bible, so I stick to Father Dad when I want a model.
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