Theologian speaks on Christianity at CA

Comparing the practices of Christianity around the world, theologian Rosemary Ruether presented a history of third-world Christian theology and its effects on women in an hour-long speech at the Christian Association Wednesday. In the lecture, entitled "Liberating the Future: A Cross-Cultural Feminist Perspective," Ruether cited several examples of how, in the past, women have been oppressed by the practice of Christianity in their societies. Ruether, who is a theologian at the Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, said that despite the great differences of geography between Third World countries, they all share similar problems from "neo-colonial exploitation." Ruether added that the exploitation of women crosses class lines and has been duplicated around the world by the spread of Christianity. Ruether said that often the thought of indigenous religions of the third world countries were combined with Christianity to reinforce oppression. "Two layers of justification, cultural and religious, were used to justify the oppression," she said. Ruether explained that third-world women are now going back to the Bible and reinterpreting the roles of women. "Now Christian feminists are reclaiming the liberating traditions of the Bible," she said. Those who attended the lecture said that they found it very interesting. "Her lecture was very affirming of the women's experience" said Ann Best, a student at the Lutheran Seminary at Mt. Airy. Wharton sophomore Christina Berwanger, undergraduate representative to the Christian Association's Board of Directors, said she found the lecture very enjoyable. "I really enjoyed Rosemary's lecture because it really enlightened me on women's issues in the third world," she said. Ruether's presentation is part of the lecture series "Liberating the Future," honoring the 100th anniversary of the University's Christian Association.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.