Book club 1st Book: When God Was a Woman, Merlin Stone

For the first book in the Sacred Feminine Book club, I have selected the ground breaking, When God Was a Woman by Merlin Stone. The book documents the story of the religion of the Goddess grounded in archeology and science. Under the Goddess, women’s roles were far more prominent than in patriarchal Judeo-Christian cultures. Stone describes this ancient system and, with its disintegration, the decline in women’s status. While dated in its archeology and analysis, which we will discuss, it was a landmark text that, for the first time, revealed how, inch by inch, patriarchal systems overtook matrilineal cultures and their religions and how this change eroded female agency.

As this book contains so many foundational thoughts on the sacred feminine and what occurred to destroy it, I would like to spend a few sessions on this book. Here is what I’m thinking for an agenda:

1. Quick introduction of the Sacred Feminine Book Club Group and background on Merlin Stone (if needed for new attendees)
2. Review and discuss the Introduction and the first 2 chapters of the book

You can find the book on Libby, Kindle and Nook. I look forward to meeting you and having a great discussion!