In Chapter Eleven of Fortress Introduction to Contemporary Theologies, the writers introduce a female theologian, who states that “the more one becomes a feminist the more difficult it becomes to go to church”.  I can see why.  Much like other institutions such as governments, the church is largely dominated by males, and in the past, the church had many grave missteps that alienated women from participating.  The author talks about “women church”, where women gather in living rooms and exorcise texts that are patriarchal to the extreme.  Rosemary Radforth Ruether is one theologian from whom women church has been greatly influenced by.  Ruether’s father died when she was twelve, and so her mother became her sole influence.  Ruether became caught up in the civil rights movements in the 1960s.  In 1965 she went down to Mississippi and worked at a child development group.  She then moved to Washington D.C. and taught at the School of Religion at Howard University, all the while embracing feminism, civil rights, and environmentalism. 

            Ruether writes that all women share one thing in common, their oppression by male dominated society.  She points to the history of the Christian church as a prime example of man’s subjugation of women.  It is impossible to deny that throughout history, society has taken advantage of women in innumerable ways.  It is especially shameful that the Church has done the same.  The earthly institution that houses Christianity should be a place where everyone is equal in God’s eyes.  Unfortunately, the Church is an institution, full of human error, prejudice, and cruelty.  I think that society as a whole has definitely grown better throughout the ages.  In America, on paper women and men are equal.  Unfortunately there is still a gap in income and other problems, but as a nation we have made great strides.  I hope that the Church can separate itself from secular institutions and become a place where equality truly exists.