feminism and religion

what is feminism?

where women fight to have equal rights as men

what is patriarchy?

a male dominated society

how does patriarchy relate to religion?

many religions revolve around men and women are usually seen in a bad light and are there to serve the men and perform idealistic roles- housewife, child bearer etc

what did delilah do in the bible?

she used her beauty and charm to trick samson into telling her where his strength came from and then killed him- gives the idea that women deceive and betray

what did eve do in the bible?

she brought sin into the world and broke the harmony between humanity and God, she is to blame for temptation

what women are not painted in a bad light in the bible (2)

esther- she was a queen

deborah- she was a judge

these can be use as an evaluation point as not all women are portrayed as sinful and deceitful

what do feminists say about religion?

they see religion as a conservative force because it acts as an ideology that legitimises patriarchy and patriarchal power and maintains women’s subordination in the family and wider society

what are examples of patriarchy in religion?

religious places of worship are mainly male dominated and in the orthodox judaism they forbid women from becoming priests

womens’ participation is restricted in some places like not being able to read sacred texts or preach

also taboos like pregnancy and menustration can also play a part