In his sphere In counseling couples, especially those dealing with the complexities of religious trauma, understanding the complex interplay between religion, gender, and culture is vital. I, myself, was raised Catholic and was taught certain things about my femininity and sexuality. My religion framed sex as something that should only happen between a man and a woman trying to conceive a child. Furthermore, as a woman, I was taught that my role was to bear children and to find my identity within that of motherhood. While motherhood and marriage are two beautiful constructs, I struggled to find my identity outside of those things when I was young. Most importantly, though, I struggled to develop a healthy, unashamed relationship with my sexuality as a pansexual woman.
Religion and spirituality need not harm a person’s sexuality and they have the power to make your life feel more complete. After taking a liberation theology class at my school, I began to explore the origins of Christianity’s strict portrayal of women. While I was taking the class this past semester, a song called “Mother Ate” by Jane Bell went viral on TikTok. I immediately realized that it might be helpful for those of us with religious shame surrounding our sexuality to tear down the biblical women who are idolized in the Bible. It seems more appropriate to begin with the subject of Bell’s song and the origin of womanhood in the Bible: Eve.
A Brief History: Women and Christianity
Women have always had a complicated position within Christianity. On the one hand, women have played an important role in shaping Christian history, theology, and practice, serving as prominent figures such as the Virgin Mary. However, on the other hand, women have often found themselves marginalized, oppressed and excluded from positions of authority in Christian communities.
In fact, the story of the Virgin reinforces traditional gender roles and stereotypes, presenting Mary as a passive and obedient figure who submits to the divine will without question. Christianity’s historical treatment of women is characterized by misogyny. This misogyny has been expressed not only through the Virgin Mary but also through the interpretation of other biblical texts. For example, in 1 Timothy 2:12, Paul states, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to take authority over a man; she must be quiet.” This passage reflects a patriarchal understanding of gender roles, limiting women’s agency and authority within the church.
Religion and Sexuality: The Story of Eve
In the Book of Genesis, Eve is depicted as the first woman, created by God from the side of Adam, to be his companion. One interpretation of Eve’s creation from Adam’s point of view is that it indicates her subordinate position to him. From the beginning, Eve could not exist without a part of Adam’s body. She resides in the Garden of Eden, a paradise where she and Adam are free to enjoy the fruits of the earth, except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When tempted by the serpent, Eve chooses to eat the forbidden fruit, an act that leads to her expulsion from Eden. This narrative is traditionally interpreted as evidence of Eve’s disobedience and role in mankind’s fall from grace. In this sense, woman is positioned to have an alluring sense of evil from her creation.
This narrative has been used to justify the subjugation of women, with Eve being the archetypal example of female disobedience and moral corruption. It is a biblical point that explains why women lack power in society and why men are positioned as capable leaders and saviors. Feminists have long challenged traditional interpretations of Eve’s actions, arguing that her defiance should be celebrated as an act of courage and self-determination. In feminist art and popular culture, Eve is often depicted as a symbol of female wisdom and resilience, challenging stereotypes of female passivity and subservience.
Tiktok Viral Song: “Mother Ate”
One of the best examples of a feminist reclaiming of Eve is found in a viral TikTok song: Jane Bell’s “Mother Ate.” Some of the lyrics of her song are as follows:
“Crazy how the first sin was a woman who ate
She chose her fate
And he said no to heaven’s gate
She is a mother, and the mother ate
Devoured
There is not a crumb left in sight
Her power
The Queen of the Night
The apple
All our eyes
It’s ours
He gave us our life” (Bell)
To fully understand the transformative implications of this song, it is helpful to analyze certain key terms in the lyrics. I want to first examine the relationship between specific terms to queer culture, precisely that of drag culture. Gebara and Tonstad readings discuss symbols as a site of transformation or restoration. Words are often symbolic of a particular culture, just the meaning of the words. The words “mother”, “served” and “queen” are indicative of attraction culture.
When used in the context of the biblical story of Adam and Eve, they have a kind of transformative power. For example, in drag culture, motherhood is celebrated, with drag queens often adopting the title of “mother” to signify their role as leaders within the community. In spite of herself, Eva embodies this spirit of maternal empowerment, serving as a beacon for future generations of women.
Eve’s role as mother and queen
Additionally, the lyrics celebrate Eve’s role as a mother, emphasizing her power to give life and shape the future of humanity. Additionally, in drag culture, the title of “queen” is awarded to performers who exude confidence and grace. Eve’s defiance of divine authority can be seen as reclaiming her “queenness.” Embracing her role as queen, Eva asserts her right to rule her own destiny. Overall, Eva “served” because, within queer and drag culture, she is an icon. To “serve” is to exude confidence, beauty and grace at the highest level. Drag culture has a long history of subversive tactics to critique power structures and social norms. In the song’s lyrics, Eve’s defiance of divine authority can be interpreted as resistance. She disrupts the status quo by challenging the patriarchal order and asserting her autonomy. In this way, it aligns with the tradition of drag performers using their art to challenge and dismantle systems of oppression.
The relevance of symbolism and imagery continues throughout the set of verses. Eva is described as “the Queen of the Night”, a powerful and mysterious figure who defies conventional expectations. The apple, historically depicted as a symbol of temptation and sin, symbolizes Eve’s liberation and self-discovery. Embracing her desires and defying authority, she becomes the very source of life, challenging the notion that femininity is synonymous with weakness and submission. Eve becomes the “Apple of all our eyes” and not the tempter which is the reason for Original Sin. This phrase is a phrase of love and admiration. it is not from sin. The imagery used in the lyrics, such as “She chose her fate” and “She’s mother, and mother fucking ate,” reinforce Eve’s empowerment and agency. Eve is celebrated for her strength and resilience rather than demonized. “Evil” is not placed on her.
Religion and Sexuality: A Feminist Reclamation
Overall, the lyrics of Bell’s song can subvert Eve’s narrative. Bell gives her audience a window into a world where women are not inherently evil, but have an inherent sense of agency placed in their bodies. Redefining the position of the first “woman” creates a space for followers of Christianity to begin to redefine their relationship with religion. The image of Eve proudly serving rebellion on a platter through the simple act of choosing to consume the fruit of knowledge is transformative. If the majority of people saw the first “sin” as a woman deciding to consume the fruit of knowledge for the betterment of herself and the world, think how different the discussion of gender in Christianity would be.
I hope “Mother Ate” continues to go viral on TikTok and spark dialogue between Christians and feminists. Continuing to reinterpret the experiences of historical figures is an educational and creative way to begin to undo the inherent evil in women’s bodies. we should all follow Bell’s lead. If you are having trouble finding balance between religion and sexualityyou are not alone.
By: Alyssa Morterud
