Feminism

Question 1

What do feminist challenge

Answer 1

They argue that Christian theology is patriarchal ( shaped by and for the benefit of men) and oppresses women. They therefore, seek to counter the patriarchal structures within the church and to emphasise the place and value of women in gender inclusive ways.

Question 2

Daphne hampson (radical)

Answer 2

denied Christianity and religion holistically - ‘Babylonian myth’, Jesus stories were all fabricated by human authors in order to elevate his status.

Christianity is a patriarchal ‘baggage’, bringing in sexist teachings from the past to the 21st century

Christianity is a ‘historical’ religion which looks to a pst revelation that has patriarchal teachings is brought to the present affecting people at a subconscious level. ‘Irredeemably sexist’, Timothy 1: “ wives submit to husbands”, “remain quiet”, “child bearers”. Asserts male centred dominance that can perpetuate a patriachal and genders hierarchy that alienates women

These teachings no longer serve a purpose in 21st century due to changing social dynamics that view women to be on par to their male counterparts parts e.g. equality Act 2010.

Question 3

Rosemary Radford Reuther (liberal feminist)

Answer 3

Denied the male centric use of the bible, believing that the bible can be re-stated in feminist terms by using Jesus as her example.
Describes Jesus as a proclaimer of liberation in his own time. She sees a parallel between his teachings in the gospels and feminist critiques of society today. Social injustice and religious hierarchies at the time of Jesus were the result of male domination. However, Jesus was described siding w the oppresses and outcasts of society which includes women. Jesus is often presented as understanding both the needs and strengths of women to which Reuther sees as him exemplifying female traits of healing and caring an maternal as well as male traits of power and authority (androgynous)

Gender inclusive language- goddess, s-he

Therefore Jesus message in the bible wasn’t trying to overturn social order but to abolish a gender hierarchy that was dominant in his time