Unmasking Toxic Religiosity: Recognizing its Connection to Toxic Masculinity

By Adis Duderija, New Age Islam 28 March 2024 Toxic masculinity has gained significant attention in recent years, shedding light on harmful social norms and expectations placed on men. However, it is crucial to recognize that toxic masculinity is not an isolated phenomenon but often intertwined with toxic religiosity and patriarchy. Toxic religiosity perpetuates harmful beliefs and practices, reinforcing traditional gender roles and exacerbating the negative effects of toxic masculinity within religious contexts. By acknowledging and addressing the connection between toxic masculinity and toxic religiosity, we can foster healthier religious environments and promote gender equality. Toxic religiosity refers to the use of religion to justify and perpetuate harmful behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs, particularly those related to gender roles and dynamics. It manifests in various religious traditions and can be found in conservative interpretations that prioritize strict adherence to traditional gender norms. Toxic religiosity often imposes rigid expectations on individuals, reinforcing patriarchal power structures and perpetuating discrimination against women and gender minorities. Toxic masculinity and toxic religiosity are deeply interconnected, with one reinforcing the other. Toxic masculinity encourages the dominance of men and the suppression of emotions, promoting aggression, sexual objectification, and control as desirable traits. Similarly, toxic religiosity often fosters gender hierarchies, where men are seen as the spiritual leaders and women as subordinate, limiting their agency and autonomy. Toxic religiosity provides a fertile ground for toxic masculinity to flourish, as religious teachings and practices can be interpreted to validate and perpetuate harmful gender dynamics. The impact of toxic religiosity on individuals and communities is far-reaching. Women and gender minorities bear the brunt of this toxic combination, facing discrimination, limited opportunities, and even violence within religious spaces. Toxic religiosity can also contribute to the marginalization of LGBTQ+ individuals, reinforcing homophobia and transphobia. Moreover, men are affected by toxic religiosity as it places an immense burden on them to conform to rigid masculine expectations, leaving little room for vulnerability and emotional expression. Challenging Toxic Religiosity Recognizing toxic religiosity is the first step toward addressing its harmful effects. Religious communities must engage in critical self-reflection and acknowledge the ways in which toxic religiosity perpetuates inequality and discrimination. This involves re-examining religious texts and interpretations to promote inclusive and egalitarian principles. Religious leaders must actively challenge gender-based stereotypes and promote healthy expressions of masculinity that reject violence, control, and dominance. Education plays a crucial role in challenging toxic religiosity. Religious institutions should provide comprehensive and inclusive teachings that promote gender equality, respect diversity, and reject harmful gender norms. Open and honest dialogue within religious communities is essential for breaking down the barriers that perpetuate toxic religiosity. By fostering conversations about gender, power, and equality, religious communities can create spaces where individuals can question harmful beliefs and challenge oppressive practices. Addressing toxic religiosity requires collaboration between religious communities, civil society organizations, and policymakers. Advocacy efforts should focus on promoting gender equality within religious spaces, advocating for women's leadership and participation, and ensuring the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Engaging religious leaders as allies in the fight against toxic religiosity can be a powerful catalyst for change. Recognizing toxic religiosity as an integral part of toxic masculinity is crucial for building healthier religious communities and promoting gender equality. By challenging harmful gender norms and fostering inclusive religious practices, we can create spaces where individuals can express their faith without perpetuating discrimination or harm. Embracing a more progressive and inclusive interpretation of religious teachings will not only benefit individuals but also contribute to the overall well-being of our societies. It is time to unmask toxic religiosity, dismantle harmful gender dynamics, and foster religious spaces that celebrate diversity and equality. ----- A decades old patron of New Age Islam, Dr Adis Duderija is a Senior Lecturer in the Study of Islam and Society, School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science; Senior Fellow Centre for Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue, Griffith University | Nathan | Queensland | Australia. His forthcoming books are ( co-edited)- Shame, Modesty, and Honora in Islam and Interfaith Engagement Beyond the Divide (Springer) URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/toxic-religiosity-masculinity/d/132020 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism