SASKATOON – Aruna Gnanadason’s warm, accented voice speaks clearly about the millions of women she represents around the globe.
The grey-haired mother of two has traveled far from her home in southern India since her appointment as co-ordinator of the women’s program for the World Council of Churches. The council represents 320 denominations, mainly Protestant, in 150 countries. Gnanadason recently visited Canada from her Geneva, Switzerland office to discuss women and religion.
It’s a story that has been getting better, she said. Historically, women have been the keepers of the faith, ensuring their spouses and children went to church or observed religious teachings.
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“Unfortunately religion has not responded in a like manner. It’s legitimized oppression of women, especially through domestic violence.”
A lot of women have given up on religion because of its male bias, but Gnanadason said that doesn’t have to be. She said there is a lot of “protest potential” which women can use to change churches from the inside.
Some women are reforming their churches by getting in the structure, whether as ministers or as lay people. Others are researching the old books that are the base of most religions. She said women can point out how they’ve been ignored in history, with most accounts written as if they were not present through the centuries.
Gnanadason’s two-metre-long magenta gauzy scarf falls repeatedly during the interview and she tosses it back over her shoulder casually. Her physical ease matches her reasoned approach as a feminist theologian.
She said life in the West is noted for its strong individualism and the reduction of spirituality to a personal salvation level.
“We have forgotten faith is a community experience. Religion is one way we work together.”
It’s a lesson that’s been forgotten in the cities but still remains in farm areas, she said.
“Rural women in India are certainly much more community-minded and easier to organize because of that sense of community.”
She also expressed concern over the spread of poverty. She said poverty that was once limited to pockets of Africa and Asia has now infiltrated every country in the world.
“The crisis is so deep, not because there’s no money. It’s (about) where the priorities are. It’s tragic, the lack of concern about people.
“In rural communities where there is poverty, men take out their frustrations on women.”
Gnanadason said change will only come when people work together.
“If it’s a good movement, it doesn’t have to be a church as long as it’s caring and wider – community oriented and justice oriented – a way of life to bring people beyond making money.”
