Acting on Faith: Women's New Religious Activism in America

The documentary film 'Acting on Faith: Women's New Religious Activism in America', shares the experiences of three women activists of varied religious and cultural traditions - Shamita Das Dasgupta uses strong female figures in Hindu myth to provide encouragement to battered women to leave abusive husbands; Laila Al-Marayati illustrates how the Muslim principle of 'zakat' served as the inspiration for the first free clinic in South Central Los Angeles; and Mushim Ikeda-Nash integrates the relational experiences of women into the American Buddhist practice. In the film they reflect on their experiences, and in their own voices express what kinds of identities they seek to build - for themselves and for their communities. The stories aim to help the viewer consider the compatibility of feminism and religion, and the tension of being a voice of critique without alienating one's community or inviting outside prejudice.

An accompanying study guide is designed to assist the viewer in understanding her or his own experiences in light of the experiences of the three women featured in the film. It includes questions that prompt the viewer to consider how one formulates an identity as a person of faith and as an activist on three levels: personal, community, and as a participant in new movements. The guide is meant to be read through prior to viewing the film, and used as a tool for focused discussion in small groups afterwards. Along with discussion questions, the guide provides web links to further information.

Gender

The production of the documentary was part of The Pluralism Project: World Religions in America, a decade-long research project to engage students in studying the new religious diversity in the United States. The project will explore particularly the communities and religious traditions of Asia and the Middle East that have become woven into the religious fabric of the United States in the past twenty-five years.