Women and Religion: Women as Religious Practitioners (Priestesses, Shamans, Cult Leaders, Witches, ect.)...

FAIN: FB-12526-75

Susan A. Evans
City College of San Francisco (San Francisco, CA 94112-1898)

To focus on the role of women in religion cross-culturally, especially women as religious practitioners. Term, religious practitioners, means women as priestesses, shamans, cult leaders, witches, magicians, curers, prophets, etc., although emphasis will be on first three categories. Main research will center on: cultures where women are allowed to be religious practitioners, do they have greater status and prestige, in the secular world as well, than women whose religions forbid them to be interpreters of the supernatural? The majority of religions known are dominated by male practitioners, male mythology and exhibit misogynic attitudes, either overtly or subtly.