Interfaith feminists continue to challenge discrimination in religion
Interfaith feminists continue to challenge discrimination in religion
On Tuesday, August 26, 2014, Equal in Faith invites women and men of all faiths to mark National Women’s Equality Day by joining them in a day-long social media campaign to highlight the need for gender justice in religion. Equal in Faith organizers, including representatives from Ordain Women (Mormon), the Women’s Ordination Conference (Roman Catholic), and Ordain Women Now (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod), encourage individuals to post photos and/or messages on social media that include the hashtag #equalinfaith and express their hope for religious gender equality. Organizers will also launch the Equal in Faith website in preparation for an international, interfaith fast for religious gender equity on March 8, 2015, International Women’s Day.
Last August, Equal in Faith marked National Women’s Equality Day by bringing together women and men of many faiths for a nationwide fast for gender justice in religion. Hundreds met virtually and in prayer meetings in Washington, DC and Salt Lake City to call attention to the marginalization of women in our faith communities and the belief that all will benefit when women can pray, speak, teach, bless, lead and serve in their congregations as priests, pastors, chaplains, preachers, rabbis and imams.
Throughout the next few months, interfaith coalitions will begin meeting regionally to plan for the March 8 Equal in Faith fast. The Salt Lake City meet up, for example, is from 7:00-8:30 PM on Tuesday, August 26, 2014, at the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple, 211 W 100 S, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101.
“Our hope is that interfaith events like the August 26 social media campaign and the Equal in Faith fast in March will underscore our belief in the ability of religion to liberate rather than subjugate women. At a time when many are leaving organized religion, we want to ignite a conversation about maintaining what we value in our religious traditions while transforming them into more inclusive, equitable and welcoming communities,” explained Equal in Faith co-organizer Lorie Winder.
Media Contacts
Erin Saiz Hanna, Executive Director, Women’s Ordination Conference
202 675-1006, ehanna@womensordination.org
Lorie Winder, Executive Board, Ordain Women
310-497-0046, loriews@gmail.com