Misogyny and the Churches

Misogyny and the Churches

“The Subversion of Women as Practiced by Churches, Witch-hunters, and other Sexists” by Nancy van Vuuren, 1973, tells the story of misogamy from the beginning of Christian power and continuing in Catholic Reformation periods.  She continues the story in witchcraft and discussion of marriage laws and practices.  Non-Catholic religious groups have been late in providing women with ministerial possibilities.

It is a very sad story, and also are the traits which women have developed to survive in this climate.  They include withdrawal and passivity, self-hate, sympathy with all victims, slyness and cunning, aggression and revolt, obsessive concern and suspicion. (p. 25-26).  The misogynists have used these coping mechanisms to further oppress.  The author writes that woman “can only be a slave or a despot – never a companion.”  Only two types of women are praised in the church. The first are nuns who have to be silent because they are cloistered.  The second are the women who produce numerous children.

She includes the full text of Pope Innocent VIII’s full bull appointing as inquisitors from which there is no escape from Henry Kramer and James Sprenger in December 9, 1484.  This statement permitted the more than 300 years of church approved terror.   Women are signaled out for witchcraft because they are “feebler in both mind and body;” they are insatiably carnal, and more ready to be impressed by the devil. On these qualities thousands and thousands of the accused women died.

She equates most marriages with prostitution.  She finds very few couples are truly equal, which she feels is a requirement for marriage.

This book was published when the fight for ERA was still unknown; ratification of ERA was needed as a boon for equality. Other goals for society must include equal pay, women should be 50% of appointments at all government levels, 50% of political candidates for all elected offices.