Feminism
From Neoredemptive
A complex, sloppy, ill-defined quagmire of philosophy, sociology, psychology, anthropology, theology, epistemology, and post-modern politics.
The nominal purpose of feminism is to draw attention and prominence to the perceptions, struggles, and preferences of women, individually and as a class. In practice, it usually reduces to advocacy for radical socio-political positions held by a small, over-educated minority of women.
As a Political Force
Funky agenda, tied up with the nanny state, gay rights, abortion rights, sexual harassment, cultural sensitivity, etc.
/TODO/
As a Cultural Force
Draws attention to the "feminine perspective" as being different from the "masculine perspective". Well, duh.
/TODO/
...cultural emasculation, institutional femininization...
As a Theological Force
A wide range of "feminist" thought, from egalitarianism to gynocentrism, gynotheology and theogynism.
The radical vanguard is constantly pushing for a woman's right to name "God, the world, and herself" (per Mary Daly's formulation); as a theological and cultural movement, this push has a long track record of sending its leaders spiraling into anthropocentrism, theological liberalism, and (in some cases) goddess worship and pan-paganism (but only as proxies for self-worship; see The Feminist Mistake).
Speaking theologically, those in the most un-feminist camps (e.g., the complementarians) arguably hold the positions which are the most pro-woman, because they view gender within the framework of a created order and the Creator who established that order, and look to that Creator for the grace and strength to do what He has said to do with our identities, personalities, gifts, and genders (which is what we're supposed to be doing in all things at all times anyway). It is precisely by saying that women cannot simply do whatever they like with their femininity that we are most esteeming their femininity and honoring their womanhood; we bring glory to God by heeding Him when He names us (and that naming will always stand opposed to us doing "whatever we like" with anything).
