Gender-based violence: A Lebanese epidemic - part 2 the overlap of culture and religion
Analysis by Taleen El Gharib, Staff Writer
January 8th, 2021
On the societal level, religion, although a silent player, is a well-realized and often influential member in the governing world’s game of chess. An accumulation of micro impacts has armed religion as a macro force—socially, economically, judicially—in society, and it is so embedded in the foundation of social norms, values, and traditions, that it often goes unnoticed.
Religion is sometimes omitted as the biggest player in society today, and although many people acknowledge the reality of this fact, it resembles a glaring taboo that must remain uncharted or untouched by accusations in a bid to maintain social peace.
It is important to look at whether the effects are definitively salutary, but research has yet to reach a conclusive result.
Many countries all over the world show signs of religious foundations in their values. It is inevitably true that religion was the most basic guide in the history of civilization, which has led to its irreversible role as a backbone that governs the daily lives of many. It is, after all, the first sense of community, and it would make sense that it has shaped the values and ideals we hold so dearly today.
After drawing inspiration from Malek Maktabi’s Ahmar Bil Khatt Al Arid (أحمر بالخط العريض) episode on domestic abuse against women (which will be criticized in the conclusion), the purpose of this paper is to trace back where and how religion became integrated into society, occupying traditions, cultures, and social values; and where it went wrong. In addition, it will pinpoint the effects of organized religion on women in particular. The advancement was a transition away from spirituality, and religion itself became an asset rather than a belief system, benefitting some, hurting others, but most importantly, accommodating male privilege and proliferating patriarchal values.
Among the many important issues is gender-based violence that occurs so prevalently, now even more so due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Femicide rates have skyrocketed and domestic abuse hotlines remain active without rest, but even prior to the pandemic, this was the reality.
(Note that this paper specifically focuses on gender-based violence against women, although we acknowledge that men also endure such atrocities. The possible influences leading to gender-based violence, whether against women or men, are fundamentally the same.)
Historical overview
The Roman Empire was first to spread Christianity, and as Emperor Constantine declared his Christian beliefs, the integration of the Church and the state began as religion governed their way of life.
Just as the Roman Empire contributed to the rapid spread of Christianity and the implementation of Christian doctrine, Islam grew in the first millennium of the Common Era. Reaching many regions of Arabia, North Africa, Europe, and Asia, it began to impact regional politics.
The spread of these religions involved their contact with different societies, whether it be through pilgrimages, military conquest, or trade networks. The establishment of many religious communities shaped the basic social ideals and structure of their respective societies. Since the majority of religions declare common beliefs, and some even incorporate traditions of other religions into their own, social norms arose and were passed down generation after generation, governing social interaction, relations, and behavioral patterns. Fear of not adopting the norms and values of one’s community would create othering, thus encouraging their continuity and further integration into society. Culture became shaped by the norms created by religious doctrine, and eventually, culture took over as an independent and well-rounded entity, influencing the re-explanation or reinterpretation of religion in favor of the manifestation of patriarchal cultural norms.
Over the span of many years, new interpretations occur unnoticeably and are easily molded into day-to-day social relations and interactions.
The issue with organized religion and its advancement
A flaw has long existed in the establishment of organized religion, and it has for centuries been addressed by those who suffer from the resulting social values, norms, and traditions (who are, obviously, the minorities). In one particular piece of English literature written in the late 14th century, Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales” is a collection of stories narrated by characters on a pilgrimage to St. Thomas Becket’s shrine in Canterbury. A very interesting character, the Wife of Bath, parodies religion as she explains how organized religion was actually created in favor of men, not women, while speaking with power almost equivalent to Jesus Christ (ironically, of course). She is a bossy, sexually driven, yet spiritual woman who had many husbands and lovers—a despised woman in her society, as women were traditionally viewed as the submissive and innocent gender. The Wife of Bath’s controversial standpoint on organized religion became among the first feminist takes on religion. She also made a clear distinction between spirituality, religion, and culture.
The idea that organized religion was in favor of men became widespread, but just as religion slithered into shaping culture and tradition, the privilege granted to men by religion also became widespread and almost factual, meaning that it was eventually considered a natural privilege.
The lines between culture and religion are heavily blurred, and in many cases, these two elements overlap very clearly and openly today. In countries where religion rules, this is the reality. Sectarian Lebanon, home to around 18 religions, is granted the title of most religiously diverse in the Middle East; it is a perfect example to explain the overlap of culture and religion, as well as the gender disparities this overlap has created.
The status of women is “an outcome of the interpretation of religious texts and the cultural and institutional set-up of religious communities” (Klingorovà, 2015). Young (1987) adds that “all world religions today maintain male social dominance within societal structures”.
Misconceptions of Islam – a growing issue in Lebanon
Another growing issue is the misconceptions and stereotypes pinned to certain religions, regarding the status of women in particular. Islam has been labeled as an oppressive religion, one that denies women an equal position to men. The real surprise appears in Lebanon, a country with such religious diversity yet a large disparity between religious communities. The Lebanese Constitution mentions something called mutual coexistence—a plague that has promoted the separation of religious communities.
The stereotype, a result of this separation, that has been unlawfully pinned to Islam, especially Muslim women who practice their religion by wearing a hijab; they are subject to many misconceptions, and they are also victims of organized religion and patriarchal influence.
Two issues primarily arise from the matter: (1) the inclination to participate in religion, leading women (and men) to be victims of internalized misogyny and making them believe that their own religion preaches gender inequality, when in reality, it has been misinterpreted to be as such; (2) widespread stereotypes and internalized Islamophobia regarding the religion itself and those who practice it, further instilling an even bigger religious division in Lebanese communities.
Malek Maktabi: a mix of controversy and internalized Islamophobia?
In order to further understand the above point, we will refer to Malek Maktabi’s most recent episode on domestic abuse for his show Ahmar Bil Khatt Al Arid (أحمر بالخط العريض). His guests were Samaher, who believes domestic abuse is a man’s right, and Zeina, who opposes that belief.
The first point discussed above is proved through Samaher, a hijabi woman who is clearly a victim of internalized misogyny; she justifies domestic abuse as a man’s right to express his emotions or to “correct” his wife when she makes a mistake.
The second point regarding widespread stereotypes and internalized Islamophobia is addressed through Malek Maktabi’s choice of guests. Why is it that a woman wearing a hijab represents the opinion supporting domestic abuse? Is it because of the widespread belief that Islam oppresses women?
It is possible that Malek Maktabi’s intention was to show diversity on his show, but as an experienced journalist, he must be very cautious of his choice of topic and guests. Avoiding generalizations is a major rule in journalism. Although he may have intended to be a mediator of a debate between two women, his choice of choosing a hijabi woman to oppose one that does not wear a hijab could be a result of believing stereotypes about Islam as an oppressive religion.