Feminism (Conservative force)

Question 1

Feminist theories

Answer 1

• religion is a patriarchal institution that reflects and perpetuates this inequality
• religious beliefs function as a patriarchal ideology - it is a tool that men use to justify the oppression of women

Question 2

Religious organisations

Answer 2

• mainly male dominated despite women participate more in organisations than men
• Judaism, Catholicism - forbid women to be priests
• ARMSTRONG - exclusion of priesthood = evidence of women’s marginalisation

Question 3

Places of worship

Answer 3

• segregate sexes and marginalise women
• women are seated behind screens whilst men occupy central/sacred spaces
• women not allowed to preach/read sacred texts
• Islam - women not allowed to touch Qur’an when menstruating - fear pollution
• HOLM - this is the devaluation of women in religion

Question 4

Sacred texts

Answer 4

• largely feature doings of male gods, prophets, written/interpreted by men
• stories often reflect anti-female stereotypes eg Eve -> caused humanity’s fall from grace

Question 5

Religion laws/customs

Answer 5

• laws may give women fewer rights eg how many spouses, dress code
• Catholic church bans abortion and artificial contraception
  WOODHEAD - argues that exclusion of women from priesthood is evidence of churches’ unease about women
• dress code - hijab is oppressive
  EVALUATION
  WATSON - interviewed Islamic women, saw hijab as empowering not oppressive, free themselves from the male gaze and unwanted attention based on looks, allowed them to be recognised for abilities not looks
  But….. only used 3 case studies of women who lived in countries where they had a right/choice not to wear if they wished

Question 6

EVALUATION

Women have not always been subordinate - ARMSTRONG

Answer 6

• religion has not always been patriarchal
• early history - women were considered central to spirituality and archaeologists have found numerous symbols of the Great Mother Goddess
• there were few portrayals of male Gods
• only about 4,000 years ago - the rise of monotheistic religion with a single, all powerful male god

Question 7

EVALUATION

Women have not always been subordinate - EL SAADAWI

Answer 7

• religion is used to oppress women, but not the direct cause of their subordination
• it is the result of patriarchal forms of society over last few 1000yrs
• but once in existence, patriarchy began to influence/reshape religion eg men interpret religious beliefs in ways that favoured patriarchy
• so now religion contributes to women’s oppression
• sees the role of monotheism as legitimating power of men over women

Question 8

EVALUATION

Religious forms of feminism - WOODHEAD

Answer 8

• hijab/veil -> some choose to wear -> gain parental approval to enter FE/employment, symbol of liberation
  BRUSCO
• gain status/respect
• Columbia - belonging to a Pentecostal group can be empowering for some women
• could be due to strongly held belief that men should respect women

Question 9

EVALUATION

Religious forms of feminism - Piety movements

Answer 9

• conservative movements - support traditional teachings/roles of women
  RINALDO
• even within conservative religions, women may sometimes find a way to further own interests, but it is MC urban women who are most likely to join piety movements
• these women may already have resources eg income/education to pursue goals

Question 10

EVALUATION

Religious forms of feminism - Liberal protestant organisations

Answer 10

• eg the Quakers and unitarians are often committed to gender equality and women playing leading roles
• eg 1/3 of unitarian ministers are female
• the Church of England has had female priests since 1992 and female bishops since 2015