From Goddess to God: Elimination of the Feminine Divine

Karen Garst

Karen L. Garst has a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, a Masters in French Literature from the same, and a BA in French from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. She has served as a field representative for the Oregon Federation of Teachers (AFT), executive director of the Oregon Community College Association, and executive director of the Oregon State Bar. She is married and lives in Silverton, Oregon.

In 2014, the U. S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby. She was incensed. “Since when did a ‘corporation’ get to use its religious beliefs to dictate what health care a woman could receive?” she stated. She decided to write a book on atheism and the harm religion has done to women. Her first book, Women Beyond Belief: Discovering Life without Religion, is an anthology of personal essays from women of all ages who have left religion. It has been published by Pitchstone Publishing. Richard Dawkins wrote a blurb for the book. Her second book, Women v. Religion: The Case Against Faith… and for Freedom, will be out in the spring of 2018. It is an anthology of essays by women atheist writers including Valerie Tarico, Abby Hafer, Candace Gorham and others. It discusses the impact of religion on Hispanics, Blacks, Muslims, and transgender women.

Karen has a blog, a Facebook page, a YouTube Channel, and a Twitter account (@karen_garst).