Article January 1, 2001 Issue

Gabriele Yonan

Professor of Religion

with contributions from Gabriele Yonan—Berlin, Germany

On the whole, when it comes to founding a religion or to holding leading positions in religion, women are generally not considered suitable. In most developed countries, constitutions guarantee religious freedom and freedom of the sexes. But often this constitutional reality does not correspond to the actual situation. Yet the fact that a constitution guarantees equality is a pre-condition for the development of women's rights — in general, and in the religious arena. And movements like Christian Science are spearheading this development.

Let's take a look at Christian Science, whose founder is a woman. In America, it has been possible for women to take such an emancipatory step — to found a religion. I've read quite a bit about Mary Baker Eddy but never anything that disputed her ability to found a religious movement.

Last year I watched the television interview between Larry King and Virginia Harris, chairman of The Christian Science Board of Directors. I found it very interesting that a woman was willing to accept the challenge of such an interview. And, by the way, it was a very fair interview.

About the author

After studying Romance languages and literature in East Berlin, Dr. Yonan escaped to West Berlin in 1969. She pursued an academic career in Middle Eastern studies at the University of Berlin, focusing primarily on Christianity, Islam, and Judaism as practiced in the Middle East. In the past ten years, she has turned her attention to current religious issues and committed herself to supporting the rights of ethnic and religious minorities.

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