“Religions of the Hearth or Religions of Empire: Desiring Mercy Not Sacrifice”
with Mary Condren
Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 12 NOON Eastern Standard Time
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“In my research of the figure of Brigit, saint or goddess, I have found it remarkable that scholars refer to her traditions as those of the lower orders or the common people. In contrast, the word religion often refers to those worldviews promoting and sustaining the sacrificial social contract, and strategies of colonization. With a view to challenging the violent and radical splitting that pervades Western cultures, this presentation outlines some distinctions between Religions of the Hearth and Religions of Empire. The aim is to reflect on and elaborate the pre-conditions for responding to the call of the prophets of the major religions who cried out, in no uncertain terms: I desire mercy not sacrifice.”
Dr. Mary Condren was born and currently lives in Ireland. With initial degrees in theology, sociology, social anthropology and religion and society, she was the first graduate of the doctoral program at Harvard University, Religion Gender and Culture. Her thesis was on The Role of Sacrifice in the Construction of the Gendered Social Order and Gendered System of Legitimation. She has taught at Harvard University, University College Dublin, and by invitation, at several other international universities. She is a Visiting Research Fellow at Trinity College Dublin, where she teaches on the topic: Gender and the Culture of Violence. She is co-founder and director of Woman Spirit Ireland, (1994 –) .
The author of The Serpent and the Goddess: Women, Religion and Power in Celtic Ireland (Harper Collins, 1989), Mary Condren’s current research is on the figure of Brigit in the Living Traditions, Lives of the Saints and in saga literature. See more about her teaching and publications here.
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Save the dates for upcoming spring and summer ASWM Salons:
March 24 2022 3 PM Eastern Daylight Time
“Healing the Earth with Traditional Ecological Knowledge”
Cristina Eisenberg
June 17 2022 3 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Title TBA: Art, Archetypes and the Tarot
Lisa Levart and Vicki Noble
July 15 2022 3 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Sacred Midwifery: Woman as the First Home“
Katsi Cook
The Salon recording will also be available to members after the event.
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