Throughout history, monotheistic religions have played a pivotal role in shaping societal norms—but at what cost to gender equality? Fatmagül Berktay’s Tek Tanrılı Dinler Karşısında Kadın offers a compelling critique of how these belief systems have reinforced patriarchal structures. This article delves into Berktay’s analysis, examining themes like the control of women’s bodies, societal expectations, and the intricate relationship between religion, power, and gender inequality.
This paper will be a reflection on Fatmagül Berktay’s influential work, Tek Tanrılı Dinler Karşısında Kadın (4th ed., İstanbul: Metis Yayınları, 2012, 233 pages, ISBN: 978-975-342-096-9). Berktay critically examines the position of women within monotheistic religions, shedding light on the historical and religious frameworks that have perpetuated patriarchal norms and marginalized women. Her analysis delves into the intersection of religion, gender, and power, offering profound insights into how religious doctrines and societal structures have worked together to control women.
The developments in Mesopotamian civilization have made the societal position of women more visible, often reflecting stark gender inequalities. As Fatmagül Berktay (2012) highlights, this disparity is evident in the treatment of rape cases, where women were often portrayed as both the victimizer and the victim. For instance, if a married woman was raped, she faced the brutal punishment of stoning (recm), whereas unmarried women had their virginity commodified and effectively "bought" by the perpetrator. This perspective places women as figures allegedly controlling men's impulses, which Berktay argues has been used to justify strict control over women to prevent "temptation" (p. 45).
This control manifests in various ways, such as imposing dress codes to ensure women do not incite men’s desires. Women, laden with so-called "evil traits," are frequently regarded as "religiously deficient." Berktay (2012) traces this notion back to the portrayal of Eve, symbolically held accountable for humanity’s original sin (p. 67).
In monotheistic religions, particularly Islam, women are depicted as sources of fitne (chaos) and are subjected to constant regulation. With Islam intertwining religion and state, sharia law often dominates, and any deviation from its principles is labeled as küfür (blasphemy). Berktay (2012) emphasizes the concept of mümin (a devout believer) in Islam, noting that the religion constructs a collective identity that prioritizes group solidarity over individuality. Women, seen as potential threats to this societal structure, are relegated to roles that prioritize obedience, reproduction, and serving men’s desires (pp. 102–104).
In Islam, sexual pleasure is intertwined with religious principles but is framed as an exclusive right for men. Women are expected to fulfill their husbands’ sexual needs, veil themselves, and bear children. Men, in contrast, are discouraged from forming deep emotional attachments to women. Berktay (2012) explains that the phrase "there cannot be two loves in one heart" reflects the belief that men should love only Allah. A man’s profound love for his wife could risk distracting him from God and destabilizing societal order. This rationale legitimizes polygamy, allowing men to marry up to four wives (p. 135).
Berktay (2012) also underscores the dichotomy between ummah (the broader Islamic community) and family, with both domains dominated by men. Within these spheres, women are subjugated to male authority. At home, women are tasked with caregiving and sexual duties, and any issue they face must be mediated through male consultation. In this framework, norms surrounding honor and decency necessitate that men safeguard women to maintain their dignity and preserve societal order. These norms are particularly evident in Turkey, where the influence of political Islam has reinforced male dominance. Even divorced women are subjected to their former husbands’ control, and deviations from this control often result in violence or even murder (pp. 189–192).
Religious narratives further contribute to the perception of women as "unclean," especially during menstruation or childbirth, excluding them from religious spaces like mosques. This view reinforces the notion that women’s bodies are flawed and require constant regulation. Men, in contrast, are portrayed as rational and logical, legitimizing their dominance over women, society, and culture (Berktay, 2012, p. 210).
Berktay’s (2012) analysis compellingly illustrates how monotheistic religions perpetuate patriarchal structures. The emphasis on controlling women’s bodies and behavior not only marginalizes them but also sustains the broader systems of inequality that shape societal norms.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Berktay, F. (2012). Tek tanrılı dinler karşısında kadın (4th ed.). İstanbul: Metis Yayınları.
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