General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Yes, I am a Feminist. Deal. With. It. [View all]rrneck
(17,671 posts)Feminism is obviously an "ism", much like Protestantism, Catholicism, Satanism, and Buddhism. And all of those are "isms" like Capitalism, Socialism, Existentialism, and Platonism. In the fourteenth century there was only one real "ism" allowed, but since then we have developed any number of "isms" and the number is growing all the time. The diversity of "isms" is a response to the same human need for a unifying system of thought in which to believe. You've just let the theists fool you into thinking you have a god to have a religion.
The OP makes it abundantly clear what kind of feminist s/he is not. "I am not responsible for every fringe idea out there." How many times have we heard that exact same sentiment from liberal Christians here on DU? The No True Scotsman is alive and well in feminist discourse. Certainly feminism has experienced any number of permutations and factional splits in it's history. And it's not unusual for feminists to engage in discussions about what feminism is and what it means to be a feminist. Those discussions are really no different from ideological discussions within political parties, philosophical traditions and religions.
The language of religion occurs regularly in feminist rhetoric. Accusations of heresy and apostasy, condemnation of conflicting ideologies, exhortations for others to "see the light" are right out of traditional religious discourse. How many members have publicly embraced feminism right here as if it were a conversion experience and found themselves welcomed "into the fold"?
Does that mean that we can discount feminism? Of course not. Feminism is, like any other unifying idea, a way for people to find commonality and courage to go forward. And like any other ideology there will be traditionalists, fundamentalists, extremists, reactionaries, and authoritarians right along with true believers, charismatics and charlatans.