The Dance of the Dissident Daughter: A Woman's Journey from Christian Tradition to the Sacred Feminine

There should be a warning label on this book

As a woman reared in an italian-catholic household and educated in parochial schools in the 1950's, this book took me so far inside myself and my issues with the patriarchal influences, that I had to stop reading it for a period of time. It ached to read the author's experience with the reality of her religious practices and beliefs. So much of my own spiritual journey has been revisited with this book. It is wonderful! Sue Monk Kidd did the Divine Feminine a wonderful honor here.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Can't have it both ways

I found this book to be heartfelt and well written. I was deeply moved by the author's experience and courage in relating it. I too have found great strength and comfort in the Goddess archtype. However, it is the height of hubris to suggest that the feminine is better than the masculine and if only the world were run by women it would be, oh, so much better. Worse yet, is to make the suggestion that any woman who doesn't agree with your point of view is still trapped in serving 'the patriarchy' and should be pitied. The author brings a number of valid points regarding Christianity in particular but then employs the very method she criticizes them of using to demonize men and anyone who disagrees. It would seem that in the author's view there are the Spiritual Feminists who 'get it' and then there's the rest of the world. There doesn't seem to be any 'grey area' open to discussion. Tolerance, balance and harmony, can only be achieved in finding Wholeness within oneself. Neither Men nor Women are perfect but together, as part of an equal team -- ah, what a deliciously beautiful dance that is!

4 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

Has Its Place

This book is one that I return to often. It is, however, a hard pill for those who come across it who are not ready or willing to hear about a person's experience with searching for a Heavenly Mother. Many feel she puts down men, but I see no such thing, in fact the opposite; she points out that Patriarchy is as hurtful to men as it is to women. She also acknowledges that Matriarchy isn't the right way either. If you chose to read the book please keep an open mind and read the whole thing. It's a journey with stages that take years.

I found this book with it's spiritual feminism to be a breath of fresh air from text that speak only about feminism in regards to the "horrid past" and only dealing with sex or filled with anger without catharsis.

This is a wonderful book for women who come from orthodox religious backgrounds (Catholic, LDS/mormon, Judaism, S. Baptist) You are not alone in your quest.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

A reviewer

Thank you for your wonderful book, I understand and have experiencced and still experiencing the author's fear, solitude and upheaval of casting aside all preconceived notions of our patriarcal society. It has been about 12 years that I have been waking up, I have felt that I was alone in my beliefs and the guilt of unlearning all that was taught to me by the Christian faith. I listen now to what is inside of me, to follow my instincts and to accept that it is right for me. It is a comfort to realize that you are not alone in your beliefs.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

A profound personal journey

Sue Monk-Kidd is such an evocative writer, I felt like I was by her side through her entire journey. Even though I haven't shared her struggle with traditional Christianity in the same way and have read a lot on goddess spirituality and creation spirituality, I still found her personal journey just that - personal and moving. I think 'Cant' Have it Both Ways' missed some pages. Monk-Kidd specifically addresses the need to retain the masculine divine but include the feminine thereby creating a balanced partnership and a balance of values.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

reviewer

Thank you, thank you, thank you for writing this book. It has helped me to gain clarity and articulation in the wake of a complete upheaval of my past spiritual experience (Christian tradition). This book was an oasis for me. It is wonderful to finally begin to hear the whispers of my female spiritual voice! I want to reach this place in my journey of balance,' divine symbols that reflect masculine and feminine'. This book was a tremendous encouragement to keep listening for and pursuing the sacred feminine. It is time for Her to rise to her rightful place!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

One of the richest books I've ever read.

I was not even aware how diminished I and all women are in our current society and especially in our churches and temples until this book deeply pierced through the conditioning and numbness that had settled over my truth as a Divine Feminine Being.I felt as if all I was meant to be has been released to expand,grow,nurture,teach and recieive. I want women everywhere to read this book and have their own personal experience of the majesty of Goddess/God within them. The world needs Feminine Spirituality more than ever before. There is a universal hunger for the values,traits,qualities and characteristics that women possess.
I am so grateful to Sue Monk Kidd for having the courage to share her thoughts and experiences in a way that encourages women to reach for their own path and to know that the world will be a better place because of her courage.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Provocative Revolutionary Book

This brilliant, provocative book is revolutionary. In sharing her firestorm about feminine spirituality Sue Monk Kidd gently guides us through our own awakening. The Dance of the Dissident Daughter not only reveals the sacred feminine in the Christian tradition but shows how patriarchal spirituality is ultimately a flight from the earth. Sue Monk Kidd¿s awakening to the knowledge that we are connected with everything lead her to a dawning awareness that the earth is alive and divine. Her question: ¿How big is your `we¿?¿ challenges us to move from the little ¿we¿ of humankind to the larger ¿we¿ of all creation. She rightly points out the future of the planet depends on how we answer that question.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd

Sue Monk Kidd had a dilemma at one point in her life when she felt that there was a Patriarcal image in religious life. Women were not leaders in most churches and the word "He" was used most frequently in the Bible. It was at this time that she felt women were hidden behind a curtain as was the Wizard in OZ. She questioned and found that there were many references to men as leaders in churches while women were in the background. I had to continue reading because I felt that way myself in many instances. Sue Monk Kidd began to deal with her feelings of Patriarchy by attending retreats and being a part of nature to understand her feelings and come alive again. As a spiritual writer, Kidd, often spoke to groups with varies reactions by her audiences regarding her position on the topic of Patriarchy. It was interesting how Sue Monk Kidd became empowered thru this journey in her life.

Interesting, but better for beginners

I found Dance of the Dissident Daughter to be interesting, but better for women and men who have only just begun to consider their spirituality and the place of the Feminine within that spirituality. Kidd has clearly done a lot of research, and has opened herself up to readers in a very personal way.

Inspirational Reading

My sister and I love Sue Monk Kidd. I read this book and gave it to my sister as a birthday gift. We both love it.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Enlightening

I was looking for something that would help me understand more about the Goddess after years of serving only God in my religion. This book took me through her journey as she did the same thing. I was able to see myself in certain parts of her journey, and know what I had to look forward to still. I'm grateful for the book, I was concerned it would be about how the view of the Goddess interferes with the view of one true God and how the Goddess isn't something to be believed or followed, but I was pleasantly surprised.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Fantastic!

I liked this non-fiction memoior even more than her best-selling fictional novel, The Secret Lives of Bees. The author's spiritual journey provided wonderful insight into my own. I appreciate her honesty, thoughtfulness, and courage! Fantastic!

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