In this essay, I aim to explore the deeper and more troubling dimensions of radical feminism, and how it radicalized our children, siblings, friends, and especially the women who are closest to us.
It is worth asking whether most of today’s youth now have a distorted understanding of what it means to be a woman. I am convinced that the true meaning has been altered, or worse, twisted in today’s world. This change is the result of the successful campaign of radical feminism, which contradicts the example set by the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is a model of humility, dignity, and pure womanhood.
Feminism can be defined in many ways. However, if we examine the central themes embraced by its various branches, we will see a clear alignment in their objectives. In general, different forms of feminism share several key beliefs. Feminism holds that the patriarchal system is the primary source of discrimination and oppression against women. As a result, the feminist movement seeks to dismantle traditional family and societal structures that privilege men. It also promotes the idea of “free love,” where a person is encouraged to choose and change sexual partners without adhering to traditional moral standards. For some feminists, monogamy is seen as a form of female enslavement under patriarchal rule. Additionally, feminism is often associated with esoteric beliefs such as Theosophy, Paganism, and modern witchcraft. These belief systems are used to highlight women’s spiritual power and to resist monotheistic religions, which feminists argue were responsible for the suppression of women.
These beliefs directly oppose the three persons of God in Christian theology. The rejection of patriarchy challenges the authority of God the Father. The idea of “free love” violates the sanctity of the body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The embrace of occult practices stands in opposition to the teachings of God the Son, as it rejects His message and returns to pagan traditions.
Radical feminism, which gained momentum in the 1970s and continues to evolve to this day, has strongly influenced many young women. One of the criticisms directed toward it is the so-called “grooming” of youth to accept behaviors that are considered inappropriate, such as lewdness, eroticism, prostitution, and open acceptance of homosexuality.
When we examine today’s media landscape, including music, film, art, and other forms of popular culture, especially those coming from the West, we can see the strong influence of themes such as feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, and gender equality. Modern female icons often portray traits that are the opposite of the traditional virtues embodied by the Blessed Virgin Mary. These women are often career-driven, independent, and celebrated as role models for contemporary womanhood.
A closer look reveals that many of these modern ideologies promote the dismantling of patriarchy, the rejection of the woman’s natural role as mother, a liberal approach to sexuality, and the incorporation of occult-related elements. These include the return to paganism, reliance on astrology and tarot cards, and the use of various deities or spiritual symbols as personal guides.
This leads us to an important question. Are these changes simply part of the natural evolution of society, or is there a deeper spiritual force behind the spread of these ideas?
In this age of the internet and social media, the world feels smaller, and with that closeness comes the quiet insertion of ideologies into our culture. According to some critics of radical feminism, four recurring themes are used to change society’s perception of family: promiscuity, eroticism, prostitution, and homosexuality (Millett, 2020).
Today, these themes seem to be normal parts of the media. Those who speak out against them are often labeled as bigots or close-minded. But when did these things become normal? And how did we slowly come to accept them?
Social media, the phenomenon of doomscrolling—the endless browsing of TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or Instagram Reels. Exposure to content about sexuality, open relationships, revealing clothing, and once-taboo lifestyles is almost unavoidable. These ideas are served to the youth daily, disguised as entertainment.
It is important to ask whether the modern perspectives held by young people have simply emerged from a vacuum, or whether they are influenced by the media they consume. This may include themes in anime, vlogs, music videos, and streaming shows that openly promote sexual liberation and gender fluidity. We must also question whether the modern female role models admired by the youth carry messages that are in direct conflict with the humility and modesty exemplified by the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Mallory Millett (2020) recounted witnessing a feminist ritual in 1969 in New York, where members of the National Organization for Women chanted their intentions to destroy patriarchy, the family, and monogamy by promoting a cultural revolution centered on sexual freedom.
“Why are we here?”
“To make revolution,” they answered.
“What kind of revolution?”
“The cultural revolution,” they chanted.
“How do we make the cultural revolution?”
“By destroying the American family.”
“How do we destroy the family?”
“By destroying the American Patriarchy.”
“And how do we destroy the Patriarchy?”
“By taking away its power.”
“How do we do that?”
“By destroying monogamy.”
“And how do we destroy monogamy?”
“By promoting promiscuity, eroticism, prostitution, and homosexuality.”
This ideology is rooted in the Marxist view of cultural and power structures. Mallory’s sister, Kate Millett, a well-known feminist theorist and author of Sexual Politics, championed this ideology, which has served as the foundation for many Women’s Studies programs around the world, including in the Philippines.
Given this context, it is not far-fetched to say that our current culture, which many now embrace, is the result of a long process of ideological transformation that began several decades ago. Based on the number of young people today who hold new views on gender and sexuality, it appears that radical feminism has already achieved many of its goals.
It is also undeniable that certain aspects of feminism are linked to the occult, which refers to systems of secret or esoteric spiritual knowledge. Throughout the history of the feminist movement, there has been a growing interest in paganism and goddess worship as symbols of feminine power. In these belief systems, a woman is not just a follower of faith but is seen as a being with inherent divine energy.
Gloria Steinem, a well-known feminist, once said:
“Monotheism makes me feel bad. I don’t trust any religion that shows God as one of the ruling class. I think I’m a pagan or animist.”
Steinem was a major figure in the second wave of feminism in the 1960s and 1970s. In addition to being an activist and journalist, she co-founded several organizations focused on women’s issues, including Ms. Magazine, the National Women’s Political Caucus, and the Women’s Media Center. Her beliefs are clearly far from traditional Christianity. For some feminists, monotheism—especially the image of a male God—is viewed as the root cause of patriarchy and the diminishing role of women in both religion and society.
The goddess movement emerged as an alternative, aiming to restore what is believed to be an ancient matriarchal unity. This movement encourages women to seek the “goddess within” as a symbol of personal divinity and autonomy. For its adherents, the male image of God should be abandoned, because they believe it is the source of disorder and female oppression.
This perspective reveals how certain branches of feminism are not only trying to change social systems but also seeking to redefine spiritual beliefs.
Some spiritual interpretations claim that the force behind radical feminism is represented by the figure of Lilith. In occult traditions, Lilith is described as a demon who seduces men and kills infants. While demons are typically depicted in male form, Lilith is shown as both male and female, symbolizing gender fluidity, which is a common topic in feminism.
Lilith’s name frequently appears in feminist literature and events. For example, in 1994, a major feminist music festival in the United States was called Lilith Fair. There is also the Lilith Fund, an organization that provides funding for abortion services in Texas.
This shows that occult elements are not merely side issues in feminism. Instead, they are sometimes used to redefine womanhood in ways that move away from spiritual goodness. For some critics, this does not represent true liberation but instead a departure from the values of dignity, humility, and the true purpose of being a woman.
Equality, in itself, is not a bad goal. Feminism has achieved many positive outcomes. Women were granted the right to vote. Issues such as domestic violence were brought into public discussion. Workplace equality policies were also strengthened. These are all important aspects of a just and fair society.
However, there is a risk when the pursuit of equality leads to the promotion of radical and spiritually dangerous beliefs. We do not need to abandon morality, faith, or tradition to claim our rights. Nor do we need to accept ideologies with ties to the occult or the symbolic image of Lilith just to empower women.
In other words, we can uplift women, honor their dignity, and protect their rights without embracing the dark and radical aspects of certain feminist movements. True equality can and should be pursued separately from ideologies that contradict moral and spiritual goodness.
Amid all the noise of modern perspectives, the Blessed Virgin Mary remains the model of true womanhood—humble, pure, and strong in faith. She reminds us that a woman’s real strength is not found in the rejection of tradition, but in the quiet and powerful pursuit of goodness.
Choosing the Blessed Virgin Mary over the spirit of radical feminism is the right step toward restoring the true dignity of women and renewing our culture as Christians.