1.2 Equality (GENDER)

Question 1

Equality

Answer 1

The same rights, treatment and access to opportunities for all

Doesn’t mean treating everybody in exactly the same way but treating everyone fairly.

Politicians talk a lot about equality of opportunity (equal chance of advancement for all) versus equality of outcome (equality of material wealth).

Question 2

Equality Act 2010

Answer 2

Launched in the UK, merges over 116 pieces of anti-discrimination legislation including the SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION ACT, THE RACE RELATIONS ACT and the DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT.

Question 3

Christianity on Gender Equality

Answer 3

Christianity has been accused of misogyny and of condoning prejudice, discrimination and even abuse of women.

Whilst Christians believe we are all made in God’s image and that he loves us equally, certain Bible passages suggest that women are inferior to men.

Question 4

Bible on Gender Equality

Answer 4

1. In Genesis, God creates Eve by taking one of Adam’s ribs. It is Eve who gives in to temptation - God punishes her and states that her husband will rule over her.
2. The stories in the Bible reveal a patriarchal society. Men could divorce their wives but women could not divorce their husbands.
3. Women were seen as unclean when menstruating.
4. God is referred to as ‘He’ and Jesus has no female disciples.
5. Mary & Mary Magdalene had essentially domestic and supportive roles.
6. St Paul is seen as a misogynistic figure, his passages support the view women are subordinate and inferior to men.

Question 5

Bible Quotes on Gender Equality

Answer 5

‘Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord’ Ephesians

‘I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man’ Timothy

Question 6

Christian views against women

Answer 6

• Upheld the norms of a patriarchal society.
• Martin Luther argued the role of women is to stay home, take care of the household and have children.
• Catholic Church still condemns abortion/artificial contraception, denying women rights over their own reproduction.
• First women priests were not ordained in the Church on England until 1994. First woman bishop 2015.

Question 7

Christian views in favour of gender equality

Answer 7

• Religion views women as equal to men, they are equal in the eyes of God.
• God himself has feminine qualities, ‘heals, feeds, comforts, forgives.’
• Old Testament Women have significant roles -Esther saved the Jews from death, Ruth set an example of love and loyalty.
• New Testament, Jesus’ treatment of women was revolutionary for his time. He talked freely with a racially mixed Samaritan woman who had broken social taboos by having five husbands.

Question 8

Modern Christian Attitudes

Answer 8

• Some argue men and women should be treated the same in every way because both men and women are created in the image of God.
• This equal treatment includes positions of responsibility within the Church.
• Some argue men and women are equally valuable but have different qualities - their different gifts should be put to different uses.
• The argument is that Jesus chose men as some roles within the Church are more suitable.

Question 9

Attitudes to women priests

Answer 9

SALVATION ARMY - have always had women ministers.
CHURCH OF ENGLAND - ordination of first female vicars in 1994 caused widespread division.
ROMAN CATHOLIC - to not allow female priests. Jesus’s authority has been passed on through men. When celebrating the Eucharist, the priest represents Christ, who was a man. Women cannot play this role.

Question 10

John Stewart Mill - Secular Attitudes on Gender Equality

Answer 10

• Argues people should have free will to do what they want, as long as they do not harm others - harm principle.
• In THE SUBJECTION OF WOMEN he put forward an argument for social equality.
• Liberal views of the role of women can be at odds with religous views as liberals reject the traditional, domestic role of women.
• Argues that female gender is compatible with positions of leadership and responsibility in all areas of society.

Question 11

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Answer 11

• American woman’s rights campaigner.
• Critical on the churches’ attitudes towards women and see them as key contributors to women’s oppression.
• Published THE WOMAN’s BIBLE, on why the scriptural treatment of women needed to change.
• She was concerned that the issue of women’s rights was being side-lined by abolitionist activities, although her speeches are racist and advocate the vote for educated white men and women only.