patriarchy and religion Flashcards
how are religious organisations patriarchal
-Women are denied senior roles within church, Islam and Judaism
-Armstrong refers to this as “women are barred from the priesthood” and marginalisation of women in religion
-“stained glass ceiling” – women can see the senior positions but cannot achieve them
how can we evaluate religious organsations
However, this is changing in the C of E, women were allowed to become Vicars in 1992 and Bishops from 2015
patriarchy in worship
Holm= women are devalued in religion as they are often segregated or marginalised in places of worship
-women may be seated in areas that are less sacred and separated from men
-In Islam, women are not allowed to touch the Qur’an during menstruation
patriarchy in laws and customs
Woodhead =women fewer rights than men e.g. in terms of divorce, the number of spouses they can marry, dress codes
- Aldridge cites the veiling of women and the niqab as examples of this
-Religion justifying customs and cultural practices that harm women e.g. FGM
- reinforce women’s role as a wife and mother e.g. the Catholic church being against abortion and contraception
evaluate laws and customs
However, El Saadawi argues that not all customs are patriarchal e.g. in Islam, women keep their surname
scriputres and patriarchy
-women inviisble or seen to be subordinate to men
-eve formed from rib taken from man
-eve seen to lead adam astray
-jesus seen as male
religion isnt patriarchal
-Ancient religions had female goddesses e.g. Wicca
-Hinduism – there are many female Goddesses as well as male Gods
-New Age dominated by women followers
-Woodhead = veiling of women in Britain and some Islamic countries can be interpreted as a way of resisting patriarchy
evalaute religion not patrairchal
However, El Saadawi argues that not all customs are patriarchal e.g. in Islam, women keep their surname
