Unit 1 - Roles of Men and Women in a Christian Family and Christian Communities Flashcards
What are the main roles of men and women in a Christian family?
- Man as leader of the family
- Man as provider
- Woman as wife and mother
- Role equality
Traditional views
- Some Christians, maybe fundamentalists, interpret teachings in the Bible to mean that women are literally men’s helpers
- Men are the leaders in a marriage relationship
- Some Christians consider women to be weaker than men because Eve gave into temptation before Adam
Traditional views continued…
- See the woman’s role as primarily being in the home, caring for the children
- See the man’s role as the main wage earner and provider for his family
- The role of the woman in the home is of equal value to the man’s work, but each role is unique to the person’s gender
What does the Catholic Church believe about roles of men and women?
- Recognises the equal right of opportunity for women as for men to work outside the home
- Values the role of a woman in the home as highly as any career she may choose to have
- A woman shouldn’t be under social pressure to have a job if she’d rather be a full-time housewife and mother
What might a Liberal Christian believe about the roles of men and women?
- The man or woman can be the head of the family
- The woman may be older than the man and more experienced
- The woman may earn more money and have a better job
- In an advancing society, we should show equality to all
- Some men may have a more nurturing character and could be better at looking after the kids
How has Jesus treated women in the Bible?
- With respect
- Spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well
- Stopped the religious Pharisees from throwing stones at the adulterous woman
- Jesus has time for men and women alike and Christians should follow this
What is sex discrimination?
When people are treated differently and unfairly because of their sex.
Do sexual discrimination laws apply to religious organisations and Christian Churches?
No
What does the Roman Catholic C believe about roles of men and women in Christian communities?
- Complementarianism
- Men and women were created as different by God so have different roles to play
- Don’t permit women to become priests or bishops
Why does the RCC not permit women to be priests or bishops?
- Jesus chose men to be his disciples
- Early Church leaders were all men
- Priests represent Jesus (a man) when celebrating the mass
- The authority of the Church has been passed on through men, a tradition that can’t be broken
Why would a Liberal Christian approve of women becoming priests?
- Jesus came to break down barriers between people, not to reinforce them
- Jesus was following the tradition of his time
- If he we alive today, he would include women among his disciples
- God created women in his image too
Do the COE allow women to be ordained?
Yes they are allowed to be ordained as priests and deacons.
Who was the first female bishop?
Libby Lane ordained in 2014
The religious upbringing of children: The Catholic C and COE
- In both of these Churches, a child is baptised within the first year after their birth
- Parents and members of the Church try to help bring the child up within the Christian faith
- Commit to praying for the child
- Incorporating their faith into daily routines e.g. saying grace before a meal and family Bible readings
- Likely to attend Sunday School each week
- Older kids may go to a youth group
- Children may choose to get confirmed
- Once a person’s been confirmed they can take the Eucharist in the Church
How do the Amish bring up their children?
- Far more structured
- Ordnung is a list of rules
- Amish people can only marry Amish
- Separate from the world
- Schooling for the children which ends at 14
- Taught practical skills on the job e.g. farming for the boys and work in the home for the girls
- Women are under the authority of men, traditional views
- Children are taught to not be selfish and remain humble
- SWA - God’s nature is selfless and Jesus showed ultimate humility by becoming God incarnate
- Amish teenagers at the age of 16 can go off into the world and decide whether to come back to the Amish community and be fully baptised
