ABSTRACT
Chapter 10 discusses the relationship between feminist theologies from East Germany (GDR) and West Germany (FRG). In the face of numerous defamations, feminist theologies must constantly deal with concepts of feminism and gender, their own and the hegemonic understanding of knowledge and science in relation to institutions such as church and university, and consider the interdependence of church and society and between activism and theory. Furthermore, if the whole issue takes place in the area of tension between East and West, complex mechanisms of hegemony and dissidence are revealed. The text seeks to shed some light on hegemonic and marginalised discourses, using the material which hitherto has not been available to a wider readership.
It is firstly asked within the historical context, where do secular or religious women’s movements and feminist-theological approaches emerge and what is their relation to each other? For this purpose, both the location of hegemonic and dissident churches in the respective society as well as the theological faculty at the state university are analysed. An inquiry is undertaken about the significance of feminist theology as a subject critical of knowledge and science at the theology teaching institutions. With the Peaceful Revolution in 1989, differently feminist experiences, perspectives and feminist theological approaches collide.
Finally, it is examined whether the visionary character of some feminist-theological perspectives from the GDR can contribute to a continuing discussion of an interventionist, critical Christian gender-conscious theology. Solidarity and political vision were important reference points amongst Eastern feminists – also beyond East Germany. With Cornelius Castoriadis and Manuel Castells it is argued that Eastern European dissident mobilisations allow for a particular social imagination.
As answer to the consequences of the globalisation process, which meant a commodification of life as a whole, new forms of resistance and mobilisation are identified.
