Faith as a Chosen Homeland

Women Talking

The women reinterpret faith as a source of responsibility and belonging rather than obedience to the colony’s men.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Faith Under Coercion Faith Under Coercion from "Women Talking". Salvation as Leverage A Threat of Exile Peters tells the women that refusal to forgive may require them to leave the colony and jeopardize heaven.

Faith Under Coercion from "Women Talking". Salvation as Leverage A Threat of Exile Peters tells the women that refusal to forgive may require them to leave the colony and jeopardize heaven.

Salvation as Leverage A Threat of Exile Peters tells the women that refusal to forgive may require them to leave the colony and jeopardize heaven. Religious belonging is used to constrain their choice. Forgiveness Questioned Ona Friesen asks whether forgiveness imposed by authority can be genuine. The question separates faith from compliance with a demand.

God Alone May Forgive God Alone May Forgive from "Women Talking". A Moral Limit The Unforgivable Injury Ona proposes that harm to children might belong to a category of forgiveness entrusted to God alone.

God Alone May Forgive from "Women Talking". A Moral Limit The Unforgivable Injury Ona proposes that harm to children might belong to a category of forgiveness entrusted to God alone.

A Moral Limit The Unforgivable Injury Ona proposes that harm to children might belong to a category of forgiveness entrusted to God alone. Parents need not be forced to pretend that they forgive. Survival and Mercy Salome Friesen asks whether a small amount of hatred might be necessary to survive. The women test religious language against the reality of continuing danger.

Faith Without the Colony Faith Without the Colony from "Women Talking". Pacifism as a Compass Agata’s Reasoning Agata Friesen argues that staying risks turning the colony into a battlefield and the women into people who may kill.

Faith Without the Colony from "Women Talking". Pacifism as a Compass Agata’s Reasoning Agata Friesen argues that staying risks turning the colony into a battlefield and the women into people who may kill.

Pacifism as a Compass Agata’s Reasoning Agata Friesen argues that staying risks turning the colony into a battlefield and the women into people who may kill. Leaving can preserve their pacifist commitment. Faith in Motion The argument makes faith portable. The women need not remain under male authority to remain faithful to their beliefs.

Women Interpret Scripture Women Interpret Scripture from "Women Talking". Authority to Read Dependence Exposed The women recognize that men have told them what the Bible says while women have been kept from reading it.

Women Interpret Scripture from "Women Talking". Authority to Read Dependence Exposed The women recognize that men have told them what the Bible says while women have been kept from reading it.

Authority to Read Dependence Exposed The women recognize that men have told them what the Bible says while women have been kept from reading it. Their religious obedience has been mediated by authority. A New Interpretation They consider departure a possible act of love and peace rather than disobedience. The first independent reading begins in conversation, even before they can read the text.

Faith Leaves with Them Faith Leaves with Them from "Women Talking". A Homeland Carried Song and Memory The women sing “For the Beauty of the Earth” and “Nearer, My God, to Thee” before preparing to depart.

Faith Leaves with Them from "Women Talking". A Homeland Carried Song and Memory The women sing “For the Beauty of the Earth” and “Nearer, My God, to Thee” before preparing to depart.

A Homeland Carried Song and Memory The women sing “For the Beauty of the Earth” and “Nearer, My God, to Thee” before preparing to depart. August Epp remembers his parents and faith as a homeland. Belief Without Certainty The hymns do not resolve whether the road is safe or whether the women’s plan will succeed. Faith accompanies action rather than guaranteeing its outcome.

June 6, 2009, during the first forgiveness debate

June 6, 2009, as the women discuss assaulted children

June 6, 2009, during Agata’s argument for leaving

June 7, 2009, during the second meeting

June 7, 2009, during the women’s farewell hymn