FEMINISM

Question 1

how doe feminists see society?

Answer 1

see society as patriarchal- male dominated

Question 2

how do feminists view religion?

Answer 2

many feminists regard religion as a patriarchal institutions perpetuates f male power and subordinates

Question 3

aspects of religion that demonstrate patriarchy?

Answer 3

sacred texts

places of worship

Question 4

sacred texts

Answer 4

stories often reflect anti female stereotypes in scared texts. overwhelming concern males and male activity. in sense sacred texts are written by men for men and interpreted by men. e.g Eve persuaded Adam to disregard Gods command and eat the forbidden fruit. Eve represents women so this presents women in a negative light.

Question 5

places of worship

Answer 5

often separate the sexes and marginalise women e.g seating women behind screens while men occupy the more sacred places. Holm- menstruating women are not allowed to read from the Quaran. she describes this as devaluation of women.

Question 6

what does De Beauvoir suggest about religion?

Answer 6

religion is used to control women; it claims to compensate for their lower status by gaining equality in heaven this can be seen as a type of false consciousness.

Question 7

what does El Sadaawi believe about religion?

Answer 7

sometimes oppressed in Arab states women are oppressed through male misinterpretations of the Qu an which are used to exploit women. however she says some aspects of islam are liberating e.g women can keep their own surname when they get married

Question 8

strengths of feminist theories of religion?

Answer 8

• not always the case that women are treated in subordination to men as women are taking leadership roles in Pentecostal church and there jas been a rise in female priests.
• Armstong: women haven’t always been portrayed in this way early religion places women are the centre e.g mother goddess

Question 9

limitations of feminist theories of religion?

Answer 9

Woodhead not all religion is patriarchal and argues that there are religious forms of feminism. women can also use religion to gain respect. in the west the hijab is viewed as oppressive. arguably it is a form of resistance to oppression as they have a choice to avoid the male gaze