In the realm of couples counseling, especially for those navigating the complexities of religious trauma, understanding the intricate interplay between religion, gender, and culture is crucial. I, myself, was raised catholic and was taught particular things about my womanhood and sexuality. My religion framed sex as something that should only ever occur between a man and a woman trying to conceive a child. Moreover, as a woman, I was taught that my role was to have children and find my identity within that of motherhood. While motherhood and marriage are two beautiful constructs, I struggled to find my identity outside of these things when I was young. Most importantly, though, I struggled to develop a healthy, shame-free relationship with my sexuality as a pansexual woman.
Religion and spirituality do not have to harm a person’s sexuality and they do have the power to make your life feel more complete. After taking a liberation theology course at my school, I began to explore the origin of Christianity’s strict depiction of women. While taking the class this past semester, a song called “Mother Ate” by Jane Bell went viral on TikTok. I immediately realized that it may be helpful for those of us with religious shame surrounding our sexuality to break down the biblical women who are idolized in the bible. It seems most fitting to start with the subject of Bell’s song, and the origin of womanhood in the bible: Eve.
A Brief History: Women and Christianity
Women have always had a complicated position within the context of Christianity. On the one hand, women have played significant roles in shaping Christian history, theology, and practice, serving as prominent figures such as the Virgin Mary. Yet, on the other hand, women have often found themselves marginalized, oppressed, and excluded from positions of authority within Christian communities.
In reality, the story of the Virgin Mary reinforces traditional gender roles and stereotypes, presenting Mary as a passive and obedient figure who submits to divine will without question. Christianity's historical treatment of women is marked by misogyny. This misogyny has been expressed not only through the Virgin Mary but also through the interpretation of other biblical texts. For example, in 1 Timothy 2:12, Paul states, "I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet." This passage reflects a patriarchal understanding of gender roles, limiting the agency and authority of women within the church.
Religion and Sexuality: The History of Eve
In the Book of Genesis, Eve is depicted as the first woman, created by God from Adam's rib, to be his companion. One interpretation of Eve's creation from Adam's rib is that it signifies her subordinate status to him. From origination, Eve could not have existed without a part of Adam.’s body. She resides in the Garden of Eden, a paradise where she and Adam are free to enjoy the fruits of the land, except for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When tempted by the serpent, Eve chooses to eat the forbidden fruit, an act that leads to her expulsion from Eden. This narrative is traditionally interpreted as evidence of Eve's disobedience and role in humanity's fall from grace. In this sense, the woman is positioned as having a tempting sense of evil since her creation.
This narrative has been used to justify the subordination of women, with Eve serving as the archetypal example of female disobedience and moral corruption. It’s a biblical pinpoint that explains why women lack agency within society and why men are positioned as capable leaders and saviors. Feminists have long challenged traditional interpretations of Eve's actions, arguing that her defiance should be celebrated as an act of courage and self-determination. In feminist art and popular culture, Eve is often portrayed as a symbol of feminine wisdom and resilience, challenging female passivity and subservience stereotypes.
Tiktok’s Viral Song: “Mother Ate”
One of the best examples of a feminist reclamation of Eve is found in a viral song on TikTok: “Mother Ate” by Jane Bell. Some of the lyrics of her song are as follows:
“Crazy how the very first sin was a woman who ate
She chose her fate
And she said no to heaven's gate
She's mother, and mother fucking ate
Devoured
No crumbs left in sight
Her power
The Queen of the Night
The apple
Of all of our eyes
She's ours
She gave us our life” (Bell)
To understand the full transformative implications of this song, it’s helpful to break down specific key terms in the lyrics. I first want to look at the relationship between particular terms with queer culture, precisely that of drag culture. The Gebara and Tonstad readings discuss symbols as a site of transformation or reclamation. Words are often symbolic of a particular culture, precisely the meaning of words. The words “mother,” “served,” and “queen” are indicative of drag culture.
When used in the context of the biblical story of Adam and Eve, they hold a sort of transformative power. For example, in drag culture, motherhood is celebrated, with drag queens often adopting the title of "mother" to signify their role as leaders within the community. In her defiance, Eve embodies this spirit of maternal empowerment, serving as a light for future generations of women.
Eve's role as a mother and queen
Furthermore, the lyrics celebrate Eve's role as a mother, emphasizing her power to give life and shape the future of humanity. Moreover, in drag culture, the title of "queen" is bestowed upon performers who exude confidence and grace. Eve's defiance of divine authority can be seen as reclaiming her “queendom.”. By embracing her role as a queen, Eve asserts her right to rule over her destiny. Overall, Eve “served” because, in the context of queer and drag culture, she is an icon. To “serve” means to exude confidence, beauty, and grace at the highest level. Drag culture has a long history of subversive tactics to critique power structures and social norms. In the song lyrics, Eve's defiance of divine authority can be interpreted as resistance. She disrupts the status quo by challenging the patriarchal order and asserting her autonomy. In doing so, she aligns herself with the tradition of drag performers who use their art to challenge and dismantle systems of oppression.
The relevance of symbolism and imagery continues throughout the entirety of the lyrics. Eve is described as "the Queen of the Night," a powerful and mysterious figure who defies conventional expectations. The apple, historically portrayed as a symbol of temptation and sin, symbolizes Eve's liberation and self-discovery. In embracing her desires and defying authority, she becomes the source of life itself, challenging the notion that femininity is synonymous with weakness and submissiveness. Eve becomes the “The Apple of All Our Eyes” rather than the temptress who is the reason for Original Sin. This phrase is one of love and admiration; it is not one of sin. The imagery used in the lyrics, such as "She chose her fate" and "She's mother, and mother fucking ate," reinforces Eve's empowerment and agency. Eve is celebrated for her strength and resilience rather than demonized. “Evil” is not placed on her.
Religion and Sexuality: Feminist Reclamation
Overall, Bell’s song lyrics can subvert the narrative of Eve. Bell gives her audience a window into a world where women are not inherently evil but have an inherent sense of autonomy placed on their bodies. Re-defining the position of the first “woman” creates a space for followers of Christianity to begin redefining their relationship with religion. The image of Eve proudly serving up rebellion on a platter through the simple act of choosing to consume the fruit of knowledge is transformative. If the majority of folks saw the very first “sin” as a woman who decided to consume the fruit of knowledge for the betterment of herself and the world, think about how different the discussion of gender would be in Christianity.
I hope “Mother Ate” continues to go viral on TikTok and spark discourse among Christians and feminists. Continuing to reinterpret the experiences of historical figures is an educational and creative way to begin undoing the inherent evil placed on women’s bodies; we should all follow in Bell’s lead. If you are struggling to find a balance between religion and sexuality, you are not alone.
By: Alyssa Morterud
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