Secular Feminist Religious Metaphor and Christianity

Abstract

"Two years ago I responded to the views of radical feminist Emily Erwin Culpepper during a philosophy symposium at California State University at Fullerton.1 At the time I was struck by the strength of the secular feminist presence in the university. Almost ninety people attended the Culpepper session alone. Out of nine religious studies philosophers chosen to participate, three were radical feminists: Mary Daly, Emily Culpepper and Charlene Spretnak. I discovered that radical feminist views on metaphor, symbol and myth were not new ideas. Some of the feminist presuppositions on myth and metaphor are a common offering in religious liberal academic fare. Symbol, myth and metaphor function almost as an intellectual hook to draw women into feminism. There is a growing need for Christians to respond to this secular"