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2. Starter:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/prejudice/
Equality:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWvJ3Dd2Y9M
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3. During the nineteenth century married women
were expected to stay at home and look after the
children. One reason why women have equal
rights is due to women’s movements
3 political reforms:
 The married women’s property act (1882)
 Sex discrimination act (1975)
 Electoral reform act (1928)
2 economic changes:
 Equal pay act
 The married women’s property act (1882)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McbavDhE8oQ
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4. Reasons for the ordination of women:
 They will bring different skills/ideas to the job
 Jesus lived in a time when he could not have women
disciples, they would not have began accepted
 The churches organisations were made by men, its time
roles changed to give equality
 The church’s religious teachings should not be
changed, but the custom of having male priests is not
religious, it was a rule made by men and it can be
changed
Reasons against the ordination of women:
 Keeping with tradition, reminding society that men and
women have different vocations but are equal in the
sight of God
 Lots of women were already involved in the
church, they will not be doing much more if they
become priests
 It will split the church and lots of people will leave which
is bad.
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5. Jesus, however, always showed by his actions that he respected and
valued women. He included them among his closest companions, and
sometimes went against the conventions of his time which kept men
and women apart. Jesus made it clear in the Parable of the Good
Samaritan how his followers should treat people – he made no
distinction between men and women.
Some Christian denominations have recently begun to allow women
to be priests or ministers (e.g. Church of England and the Methodist
church). Some remain opposed to this (e.g. the Roman Catholic
Church). Some Christians believe that women are second to men, that
men should lead and women should follow (see 1 Timothy 2:8–15).
So although Christianity teaches that everyone should be equal and
should be treated the same, this doesn't always happen.
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6. Many people think that the Christian Church is sexist. It does not treat men and
women equally.
The teaching of St Paul is often quoted to support the way some churches today treat
women. From the extracts below, it would seem that he believed that the role of
women was different to that of men, and secondary to it.
St Paul said:
Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must
be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to enquire about something, they
should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in
the church.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35
Now I want you to realise that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the
woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with
his head covered dishonours his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies
with her head uncovered dishonours her head - it is just as though her head were
shaved. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it
is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her
head. A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but
the woman is the glory of man.
1 Corinthians 11:3-7
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7. Traditional Christian roles:
Men = provide for family, lead the family in religion, love their
wives. They can be church leaders or teachers
Women = bring up children, run a Christian home, not speak in
church, submit to their husbands, cannot be church leaders or
teachers
Reasons for traditional Christian beliefs:
St Paul taught that woman should not speak or teach in church
Genesis 2 says Adam was created first
“wives submit to their husbands as to the lord”
“for Adam was formed first… and Adam was not the one deceived”
Modern Christian roles:
Men = can be ministers and priests, have equal roles, share
authority with wife, share role in religion
Women = can be ministers and priests, have equal roles, share
authority with husbands, share role in religion
Reasons for modern Christian belief:
Jesus preached in the court of women in the Jerusalem
temple, means women are important
Jesus appeared to a woman first when he resurrected
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8. Roles of men and women Roman Catholic:
Men= allowed to be priests, love their wife, have
equal roles
Women = have equal roles, love their husbands, not
allowed to be priests
Reasons for Roman Catholic beliefs on roles of
men and women:
 Jesus only appointed men as apostles so only
men can be priests
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9. Islam also teaches that men and women are equal in the
sight of Allah. They are individually accountable for their
actions, and will be judged equally by Allah.
However, although men and women are equal, they are not
the same. They have different purposes. It is part of Allah’s
design and purpose for men and women to have different
physical characteristics; likewise it is the duty of a man to
provide for the financial needs of his family, and for a
woman to look after the home and family.
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10. Islam also teaches that men and
women are equal in the sight of Allah.
They are individually accountable for
their actions, and will be judged
equally by Allah.
However, although men and women
are equal, they are not the same.
They have different purposes. It is
part of Allah’s design and purpose for
men and women to have different
physical characteristics; likewise it is
the duty of a man to provide for the
financial needs of his family, and for a
woman to look after the home and
family.
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11.  O Prophet, direct thy wives and daughters and the women of the
believers that they should pull down their outer cloaks from their
heads over their faces. This will make it possible for them to be
distinguished so that they will not be molested.
 Surah 33:59
 Wives have rights corresponding to those which the husbands
have, in equitable reciprocity, though, in certain situations men
would have the final word and would thus enjoy a preference.
 Surah 2:229
 Men are appointed guardians over women, because of that in
respect of which Allah has made some of them excel others, and
because men spend of their wealth.
 Surah 4:35
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12.  Although the rights of women are different to
those of men, they do have the right to choose
whom they marry, to divorce, to study, to own
property, to conduct business and to take part in
politics.
 The Prophet Muhammad stressed the
importance of women and the respect that
should be shown to them when he said: Paradise
lies at the feet of your mother. (Sunan An-
Nasa’i).
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13. Traditional roles in Islam:
Men = provide for their family by working, make sure their children as
good Muslims and go to Madrasah, worship God in the Mosque
Women = to have children and create a halal home, worship God at
home and complete all five pillars except hajj.
Reasons for traditional roles in Islam:
Men meant to support women quote “men stand a step above them”
Meant to worship separately to not get distracted
Modern roles in Islam:
Men = have complete equal roles with women, can pray with women.
Women = can have careers, but job of being a mother should prioritise
over this
Reasons for modern roles in Islam:
The Qur'an teaches that men and women are equal in religion and
education.
There is evidence from the life of the Prophet that Muhammad
encouraged both men and women to worship in the mosque.
There were women religious leaders during the early stages of Islam
whose advice was asked by the early caliphs.
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