I'm part of a new two-hour Mormon Matters podcast (also featuring Claudia Bushman, Jennifer Finlayson-Fife, and Chelsea Robarge) on what "Middle-Way Mormonism" means for women. How can women navigate a middle path that allows them to stay in the church while also acknowledging their doubts and objections with integrity?
It was a terrific experience to be part of this discussion. If you are (or you know and love) a Mormon woman who struggles to stay in the Church while feeling frustrated by the role of women or by the "Molly Mormon" expectations, I hope you'll give it a listen. Here is the promo description:
Mormon Matters episodes 85–86 featured a panel consisting of four men discussing “Middle Way Mormonism,” a term that has been gaining traction as a way to describe a path that some Latter-day Saints are taking in which they attempt to negotiate the tensions that arise when they find themselves believing ideas or valuing certain things differently than what they perceive is a typical LDS position yet still working to remain within and fully engaged with Mormon community life. We now turn to a similar discussion of the “Middle Way” journey, but with women’s voices. What are the common experiences women and men share in "Middle Way" journey? What are some of the differences? How can women find their authentic voice and have it be effectively heard in the church’s patriarchal culture? Is their approach to raising children in the LDS community different for their daughters than their sons?
In this two-part episode, Mormon Matters favorite Chelsea Robarge Fife moderates a wonderful, practical, and insightful panel discussion featuring Claudia Bushman, Jana Riess, and Jennifer Finlayson-Fife. How do they negotiate the tensions that come when one is walking a path somewhat out of the norm? Why do they do it? What is it about Mormonism that they see or focus on that compels them to stay fully involved with Mormon issues and ward life when so many other women and men choose to disengage? This discussion is full of stories, laughs, sighs—and deep wisdom. This is an episode both women and men will enjoy and gain much from!
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Ms.C | May 24, 2012 | 2:09pm
Very insightful discussion, I began listening to this podcast last night. I’d like to know if the women on the panel believe that “middle-way” Mormonism is something that can work long term for women in the church? It seems like the church won’t tolerate a middle-way member once they are seen as such.
As a side note, in your tags you put Claudia Robarge Fife instead of Chelsea Robarge Fife.
sistersunderthetrees | May 25, 2012 | 10:50am
Perhaps this is the beginning of an official split…protestants, Jews, Muslims, and even Catholics have stayed within a religious community, but have found that there is the ultimate need to be separate. Messiness of life. Will be interesting to see how it turns out. I have great respect for the men and women who remain true to their beliefs and question the doctrine.
Jana Riess | May 25, 2012 | 11:15am
Ms. C, I definitely think this is a viable long-term strategy. Claudia Bushman addresses that question a bit in the podcast, and she has a long tenure of wisdom and experience.
My own hope is that people (not just women) who have questions and problems can be open about that while finding a way to remain Mormon-identified, rather than throwing the baby out with the bathwater. There is a crippling perfectionism in the idea that we cannot bring our whole selves to church, with all our doubts and problems.