Anti-Judaism in Christian-rooted feminist writings: An analysis of major U.S. American and West German feminist theologians

This dissertation approaches anti-Judaism as a discoursive practice which is deeply rooted in Christian theology and culture. Beginning in the New Testament, Christian theology has incorporated an anti-Jewish myth which distorts representations of Judaism by depicting it antithetically, as a scapegoat and as Christianity's prologue. These theological distortions of Judaism sustain antisemitic notions of the Jews as an inferior, evil and anachronistic people.;The rules of formation of the anti-Jewish myth which render Judaism the antithesis, scapegoat and prologue of Christianity are traced into the writings of U.S. American and West German feminist theologians. The analysis encompasses radical feminist, post-Christian, neo-pagan thought as well as works by more conservative, reformist Christian feminist authors.;The dissertation collects and analyzes feminist descriptions of Judaism and asks whether portrayals which present Judaism as exceedingly patriarchal and more inherently sexist than Christianity or pagan religious traditions perpetuate the rule of formation of antithesis. It investigates accounts which stress Hebrew-Jewish responsibility for the origin of patriarchal religious beliefs and ethical values and inquires whether they turn Judaism into a scapegoat for patriarchy. It questions feminist representations of the "Judeo-Christian tradition" which may reinforce reductionist perceptions of Judaism as a predecessor and superseded extension of Christianity.;The dissertation argues that feminist theology has inadvertently and contrary to the authors' intentions and feminist political insight incorporated theological anti-Judaism.