Analysis of Neitz’s "Becoming Visible: Religion and Gender in Sociology" Essay Example

To begin with, Author Neitz’s argument about feminism and Religion suggests that the perspective of most feminists opposes religion, and it should evanesce. The feedback of many feminists has been utterly critical towards religion in the aspect of women and gender roles associated with it. Regardless of the antagonism and abandonment of religion, most feminists have already understood how the social construct of gender in religion has been given in each circumstance. The philosophy of feminism aims to dissect the classification of women and how different types of women have been exceedingly oppressed by the innumerable factors of gender, class, sexuality, ethnicity, and so forth. Feminism now took a new turn and not only exclusively concentrated on women but rather on all genders. The secularization theory stated how the brink of collapsation towards religion began because of the subjugation towards women and promoted male dominance. Women that follow religion blindly and who are conservative and obedient are not conceived to be liberated in their lifestyle in any circumstances than of the modern emancipated woman of today. All these configurations state how an analytic feminist intuits the fact of religious beliefs and practices about gender roles and behaviors in these settings. (Neitz, 04-02-2020)

Furthermore, Neitz included other theorists’ arguments in her research and brought into their outlook how religion subjugates women by making them subservient. Religion ingrained patriarchy which upheld the oppression of women for centuries and feminist sociologists extracted the concept of oppressed individuals reaping benefits and implemented it in gender studies. Their argument proposed that a predominance of women could stand together and fight against the oppression they face with the awareness of their injustice. The impact of feminist’s intake on gender studies of religion has advantaged new research and this focused on religious opinions towards the society of today. By accomplishing this, women may now feel liberated from restraints imposed by religious organizations. Neitz also discusses the negative impression that religion has on the younger generation and how it affects them if they are of a different sexuality other than heterosexuality. The topic of sexuality in religion has been controversial and concealed which is why many people abandoned religion because it does not necessarily create a safe space for everyone. Religion always revolves around gender and gender roles hence it is falling down gradually in today’s era. (Neitz, 04-02-2020)

Moving forward religion itself has been entrenched in patriarchy and promoted a male dominating society that enforces gender roles designated towards males and females. It has either brought women closer to religion or further away from it and as Neitz mentioned religion has become invisible due to the factors surrounding the defeatist effects of religion. In my opinion, Abrahamic religions are extremely misogynistic, and homophobic which do not give women and people of a different sex identity to do anything free of choice. It promotes so many negative qualities such as petrifying youngsters in the name of God to obey rules and regulations and if it is not followed there shall be detrimental consequences. Women are expected to be submissive to men says the bible and adding on, Christianity is a religion that is an ideal example of how oppressed women are treated. God is a male figure who is the father and almighty that has bestowed women the responsibilities of serving and obeying men. There are many regulations that are ought to be followed by men and women and if not followed then everyone shall receive eternal suffering so indirectly the bible threatens people into obeying its commands by fearing hell. This is why people of the modern era chose to disassociate themselves from religion.

In conclusion, not only women have suffered the harsh realities of religion but including people within the LGBTQ community. Queer people have always been criticized, judged, and ridiculed by many religious organizations that ironically promotes love towards everyone. The author explains how religion could drive people away because of its controversial and judgmental views resonating with these issues. Women have been controlled for ages in the name of religion and they do not have their own entitlement towards their own bodies. Neitz has given us a profound explanation concerning gender and religion with its roles and behaviors, and in my opinion, religion plays a very inimical role in the lives of everyone. It does not create a safe space but rather a way of forcing patriarchy down everyone’s throats.