Divine Women
Have you been watching "Divine Women" by Bettany Hughes on BBC2? It is a series of documentaries which look at the relationship between women and religion. It is a very interesting programme.
Bettany journeys back to ancient cultures where the goddess was all powerful, and also looks at how the role of women in organised religion has changed from the early days. Importantly, she also shows that goddesses are not just part of history, but also have a place in some religions today. Part three is next Wednesday, so I'm looking forward to seeing more.
Love, Liz
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The subject of women and religion is something I am particularly interested in. A good book on the subject is "The Myth of the Goddess - Evolution of an Image" by Anne Baring and Jules Cashford. They also travel across the globe and through time to record the importance of the feminine in many cultures.
A rant about documentaries - switch off now if you are of a nervous disposition!
There is something I have noticed about documentaries over the last few years which has really annoyed me - we see far too much of the presenter. Bettany Hughes is not the worst of them by any manner of means and I don't find her as intrusive as many others.
Some of these other presenters, usually male, are rarely off screen - this makes me just switch off. If the documentary is about history, then I want to see the buildings, art, and artefacts associated with that time, not some preening presenter drooling over it or gazing dreamily into the (usually misty) horizon imagining a battle taking place (usually with sound effects)!
Arrrrrrrrrrrrrgh! It has been done to death and I find myself shouting "just get on with it" at the telly (if I've not switched off by then)!
And also - while I'm on a roll - why do they stick to the time old formula - (which is one I remember being told when writing essays) -
tell them what you are going to tell them (20 minutes)
tell them (15 minutes, if lucky)
tell them what you have told them (20 minutes)
We can watch the programme again if we get lost! We don't need to be reminded countless times what the programme is about. Many of us are adults and can retain quite a lot of information without being constantly reminded!!!!!!
Sorry! Rant over!
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On a less serious note, I was particularly struck by this image from Crete - could that be a patchwork skirt she is wearing?
Comments
Hope you feel better fter your rant - I do!
Ps Glad to hear your not worshipping any of those daft telly ' idols', much as they'd like you too lol!
Now, let me add to your rant with two of my favourite gripes:
1) Why do we have to have a 5 minute lead in to all these documentaries, telling us what they’r going to be covering in the series?
2) Why do all these presenters have to wear a scarf (even when it’s niot cold/windy/dusty?
Suzy
Liz
The thing which worries me is that if we are all subject to this patronising editing, will we all become moronic and end up needing it?
(Yes, I am a grumpy old woman).
Cheers,
Tamarah :o)