christianity, gender and sexuality Flashcards
what are the three strands of feminist theology?
- liberal approach
- biblical approach
- radical approach
what is the liberal approach to feminist theology
- Christianity’s patriarchal beliefs and structures are problematic, since it denies women’s fundamental rights to equality with men
what is the biblical approach to feminist theology
- draws upon texts
- ascribes God with qualities typically associated with women and draws out the importance of women in the gospelß
what is the radical approach to feminist theology
- the christian story is a (patriarchal) myth
- wishes to speak of God in other gender inclusive terms
what are the two reasons why Daphne Hampson rejects Christianity
- it is based on the belief that there was a uniqueness to the person of Christ or a unique resurrection which since the Enlightenment we have come to think that there could be no such interruptive event
- the biblical literature is imbued with patriarchal imagery and suppositions which are thus carried into the present, perpetuating sexism
How does Hampson think we should seek to express God?
- the way we seek to express God should reflect human awareness of God, for example that there is a power for healing
what is Hampson’s definition of a patriarchal outlook
- presents religion from a male perspective. God is seen in terms of male power and transcendence, and men are seen as essentially superior to women
what are examples of a patriarchal outlook in the bible
- god is seen as transcendent and is described using male metaphors which casts humanity into a ‘female’ position and creates gender hierarchy which causes gender hierarchy irl
- ## father-son imagery is dominant, there is a lack of imagery depicting women and men as equal adults
What are the three things to talk about with Daphne Hampson
- the two reasons she rejects christianity
- the way we seek to express god
- patriarchal outlook
what is Rosemary Radford Ruether’s main concern with christianity
- the biblical message of liberation
- the traditional doctrine of atonement with its masculine ideas of power is replaced with a depiction of Jesus as a radical and liberating prophetic figure
How does Radford demonstrate Jesus as a figure of radical change
- she points to the Gospel references to him siding with the marginalised in society, the modt vulnerable of whom were women
- the Kingdom of God is not a heavenly state but is to be set up on earth as a sphere where justice prevails for all
what does Ruether believe about traditional theology
- denounces it as patriarchal and sexist
- traditional doctrines of the incarnation promote the idea of God as a transcendent, male, power based being
- she replaces the term God w Goddess to express a freedom from gender
- jesus embodied both masculine and feminine aspects of human nature so can be seen as adrogynous
what are three arguments against homosexuality
- there are a number of texts that refer to homosexuality as a sin:
- in the OT it was described as an abomination
- in the NT Paul denounced it as anti social behaviour
- Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed because of homosexuality
- evangelical protestants – bible is the infallible word of god. therefore its detestable
what are two arguments in favour of homosexuality
- many would argue OT laws and Paul reflected the cultural attitudes of the time
- catholic church distinguishes between orientation and practice. it accepts gays but expects them to b celibate
what are 2 arguments against transgender
- fundamentalist protestants - god decides gender and doesnt make mistakes
- the early church was strongly against surgery that tampered w sex identity. Eunuchs werent allowed to be priests
