2.8 Gender prejudice and discrimination

Question 1

Define gender prejudice?

Answer 1

Gender prejudice is when judgements are made about men and women on the basis of their gender. E.g, an employer assumes that women are emotionally weaker than men.

Question 2

Define gender discrimination?

Answer 2

Gender discrimination happens when someone acts on their prejudice. E.g. an employer doesn’t appoint a woman because he assumes she is too weak to handle the pressure.

Question 3

Various teachings in the Bible are used by Christians to oppose gender prejudice and discrimination. Give biblical examples.

Answer 3

In Galatians, Paul teaches Christians that men and women are equal, saying you are all one in Christ Jesus’ (Galatians 3: 28 (NIVN).

Jesus treats men and women with equal respect. His female followers are important to him, and there are examples where he shows kindness to women who have been treated badly by others. For example, he heals a sick woman who had been cast out by her community.

Question 4

How does Wedding Vows decline gender equality?

Answer 4

Christian wedding vows included the promise that wives would ‘obey’ their husbands.

Question 5

What denominations disagree with ‘obey’?

Answer 5

The word obey' was dropped from
Methodist wedding vows in the
1930s and, in 2006, the Church
of England approved alternative
vows that left out the word obey'

Question 6

When did Church of England accept the the ordination of women? Which denominations do accept the ordination of women?

Answer 6

The Church of England agreed to allow women to become priests in 1994, and
to become bishops in 2014. The Catholic Church does not ordain women.

Question 7

What arguments are there for the ordination of women?

Answer 7

It is discriminatory not to allow women to be ordained

Women have different skills to offer their congregations.

Women may be able to deal more sensitively with pastoral issues.

Women priests can relate better to women in their community.

Question 8

What arguments are there against the ordination of women?

Answer 8

In the Bible, the Apostle Paul says,
1 do not permit a woman to teach
or to assume authority over a man
(1 Timothy 2: 12 INVA.)

Jesus chose only men to be the 12 disciples

Women have not been given authority by God to be leaders in the Church.