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Religion and Gender Equality

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Starter:http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/prejudice/

Equality:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWvJ3Dd2Y9M

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Women Rights

 During the nineteenth century married women were expected to stay at home and look after the children. One reason why women have equal rights is due to women’s movements 3 political reforms: The married women’s property act (1882) Sex discrimination act (1975) Electoral reform act (1928)

 2 economic changes: Equal pay act The married women’s property act (1882)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McbavDhE8oQ

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Christianity and Women

 Reasons for the ordination of women: They will bring different skills/ideas to the job Jesus lived in a time when he could not have women

disciples, they would not have began accepted The churches organisations were made by men, its

time roles changed to give equality The church’s religious teachings should not be

changed, but the custom of having male priests is not religious, it was a rule made by men and it can be changed

Reasons against the ordination of women: Keeping with tradition, reminding society that men and

women have different vocations but are equal in the sight of God

Lots of women were already involved in the church, they will not be doing much more if they become priests

It will split the church and lots of people will leave which is bad.

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Christianity and Women

Jesus, however, always showed by his actions that he respected and valued women. He included them among his closest companions, and sometimes went against the conventions of his time which kept men and women apart. Jesus made it clear in the Parable of the Good Samaritan how his followers should treat people – he made no distinction between men and women.Some Christian denominations have recently begun to allow women to be priests or ministers (e.g. Church of England and the Methodist church). Some remain opposed to this (e.g. the Roman Catholic Church). Some Christians believe that women are second to men, that men should lead and women should follow (see 1 Timothy 2:8–15).So although Christianity teaches that everyone should be equal and should be treated the same, this doesn't always happen.

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Christianity and Women

Many people think that the Christian Church is sexist. It does not treat men and women equally.The teaching of St Paul is often quoted to support the way some churches today treat women. From the extracts below, it would seem that he believed that the role of women was different to that of men, and secondary to it.St Paul said:Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to enquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35Now I want you to realise that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonours his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonours her head - it is just as though her head were shaved. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head. A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. 1 Corinthians 11:3-7

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Traditional and Modern Christian Views

Traditional Christian roles:Men = provide for family, lead the family in religion, love their wives. They can be church leaders or teachersWomen = bring up children, run a Christian home, not speak in church, submit to their husbands, cannot be church leaders or teachers

Reasons for traditional Christian beliefs:St Paul taught that woman should not speak or teach in churchGenesis 2 says Adam was created first “wives submit to their husbands as to the lord”“for Adam was formed first… and Adam was not the one deceived”

Modern Christian roles:Men = can be ministers and priests, have equal roles, share authority with wife, share role in religionWomen = can be ministers and priests, have equal roles, share authority with husbands, share role in religion Reasons for modern Christian belief:Jesus preached in the court of women in the Jerusalem temple, means women are importantJesus appeared to a woman first when he resurrected

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Roman Catholic View

Roles of men and women Roman Catholic:Men= allowed to be priests, love their wife, have equal rolesWomen = have equal roles, love their husbands, not allowed to be priests Reasons for Roman Catholic beliefs on roles of men and women: Jesus only appointed men as apostles so

only men can be priests

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Islam and Women http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk85EoPXII8

Islam also teaches that men and women are equal in the sight of Allah. They are individually accountable for their actions, and will be judged equally by Allah. However, although men and women are equal, they are not the same. They have different purposes. It is part of Allah’s design and purpose for men and women to have different physical characteristics; likewise it is the duty of a man to provide for the financial needs of his family, and for a woman to look after the home and family.

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Islam and Women

Islam also teaches that men and women are equal in the sight of Allah. They are individually accountable for their actions, and will be judged equally by Allah. However, although men and women are equal, they are not the same. They have different purposes. It is part of Allah’s design and purpose for men and women to have different physical characteristics; likewise it is the duty of a man to provide for the financial needs of his family, and for a woman to look after the home and family.

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Islam and Women

O Prophet, direct thy wives and daughters and the women of the believers that they should pull down their outer cloaks from their heads over their faces. This will make it possible for them to be distinguished so that they will not be molested.

Surah 33:59 Wives have rights corresponding to those which the

husbands have, in equitable reciprocity, though, in certain situations men would have the final word and would thus enjoy a preference.

Surah 2:229 Men are appointed guardians over women, because of that

in respect of which Allah has made some of them excel others, and because men spend of their wealth.

Surah 4:35

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Islam and Women

Although the rights of women are different to those of men, they do have the right to choose whom they marry, to divorce, to study, to own property, to conduct business and to take part in politics.

The Prophet Muhammad stressed the importance of women and the respect that should be shown to them when he said: Paradise lies at the feet of your mother. (Sunan An-Nasa’i).

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Traditional and Modern Islamic Views

Traditional roles in Islam:Men = provide for their family by working, make sure their children as good Muslims and go to Madrasah, worship God in the MosqueWomen = to have children and create a halal home, worship God at home and complete all five pillars except hajj. Reasons for traditional roles in Islam:Men meant to support women quote “men stand a step above them”Meant to worship separately to not get distracted

Modern roles in Islam:Men = have complete equal roles with women, can pray with women. Women = can have careers, but job of being a mother should prioritise over this Reasons for modern roles in Islam:The Qur'an teaches that men and women are equal in religion and education.There is evidence from the life of the Prophet that Muhammad encouraged both men and women to worship in the mosque.There were women religious leaders during the early stages of Islam whose advice was asked by the early caliphs.