God Gave Us The Right: Conservative Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, and Orthodox Jewish Women Grapple with Feminism
Manning (religious studies, Sacred Heart Univ.) has written a comparative study of women who have converted or returned to three different conservative religious communities: Catholic, orthodox Jewish, and evangelical Protestant. Her research challenges the popular view that conservative religious women as united in opposition to secular feminist goals. Through an exploration of these women's views on issues identified with secular feminism, from abortion and homosexuality to women's place in society, Manning shows the diversity of conservative responses. Especially interesting are the ways in which these women's stated attitudes often differ from those of the religious right's official leadership, as well as the degrees to which these women have integrated feminism into their own lives (despite a generally explicit opposition to the feminist movement). Manning observes these women in the context of their respective religious communities and explores their responses to feminism and other challenges of secular society. Suitable for academic libraries and women's studies collections.?Rachel Singer, Franklin Park P.L., ILCopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.