Equality

Question 1

What are examples of differences in percieved roles between men and women?

Answer 1

• Men have normally held power. Most people live in societies controlled by male attitudes and values. When women were allowed to enter paid employment, many jobs were paid to them. Today, women do most of the world’s work, but get 10% of world income and own 2% of world property.
• Male terms are used.
• In 1918, women got the vote, but only women over 30 who had property or been to university. In 1928 - women were allowed to vote as equals with men.
• Women have been stereotyped as suitable only as mothers, child-rearers and servants of men.

Question 2

What did the Sex discrimination Act 1975 state and what were the exceptions?

Answer 2

Illegal for employers to discriminate against job applicants on the basis of gender. Men and women should have equal opportunities for training and promotion.

Exceptions;

• Women should not work underground as miners.
• Church did not have to have women priests.

Question 3

What does happen despite the act?

Answer 3

• If women take time out to have children, it can mean falling behind in promotion.
• Some firms are reluctant to train women for responsible posts in case they want more time off than men.
• Women earn on average 25% less than men for doing the same job.
• Women hold far fewer positions of power and influence.
• A small percentage of MPs are women.
• Women are the majority of churchgoers, but some Churches will not allow women leaders.

Question 4

What does the Bible reflect?

Answer 4

The Bible reflects the social realities of Old Testament times and ancient Jewish society.

• Genesis 1-3: Eve is made from Adam’s rib to be his helper: inferior?
• Bible times: patriarchal? Men could divorce women but not vice versa.
• Was Jesus sexist? Jesus had no female disciples.
• Was St Paul sexist?

Question 5

How has the Church supported sexism?

Answer 5

• For 2000 years, Church has reinforced society’s view that a woman’s place is in the home.,
• “Women should remain at home, sit still, keep house and bear children”: Martin Luther 1483-1546.
• RC Church does not allow abortion or contraception; family life is the most important thing for society.

Question 6

What are the reasons why the Church should not be sexist?

Answer 6

Jesus treatment of women was revolutionary - he did not share the common view of women.

The Bible and sexism:

• In the Bible, God frees the oppressed and helps those struggling for liberation/freedom.
• God created all people equal.
• There are women who had important roles in encouraging people to follow God.

Churches in favour of women priests:

• United Reformed Church and the Salvation Army have always allowed women to be ministers.
• The Baptist Church allows women to be ministers now since the 1920s.
• The Church of England allowed women to become vicars in 1992.

Question 7

What are the arguments for and against women priests?

Answer 7

For:

• Jesus came to break down barriers of sex, nationality, race etc.
• Jesus’ attitude towards women was revolutionary.
• Men and women are made in the image of God.

Against:

• Jesus chose men to be his Apostles and the foundation of the Church, not women.
• Jesus’ authority has been passed through men - we should not ignore this powerful tradition.
• 2000 years of tradition cannot be wrong, surely?
• Ordaining women is a stumbling block against great unity between churches. The R.C and Orthodox churches are totally opposed to women priests.
• When celebrating Eucharist, the priest represents Church who was a man. Women cannot play this role.

Question 8

What is racism?

Answer 8

Belief in the superiority of one race over another; discrimination against an individual or group of people, based on racial background, usually colour.

Question 9

What are the main causes of racism?

Answer 9

• Children get prejudice from their parents and peer groups. Racism is learnt. We aare not born with it.
• Ignorance and fear.
• Bullying.
• Poverty and unemployment.

Question 10

What is it illegal to do under the Race Relations Act of 1976?

Answer 10

• Stir up racial hatred by using offensive language or threats.
• Distribute literature which is likely to stir up racial hatred.
• Refuse someone a job because of colour/ethinic origin or refuse them promotion/training.
• Refuse to sell someone a house or change the price because of someone’s skin colour/race.

Question 11

What are examples of racism from history/

Answer 11

• Slave trade.
• Colonialism.
• Racism today.

Question 12

What did the Bible say about racism?

Answer 12

• So God made humankind in the image of God. Genesis 1:27.
• “Do not mistreat foreigners living in your land”. Leviticus 19:33-34.
• “Do not take advantage of a hired man who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother Israelite or a foreigner living in one of your towns”. Deutereonomy 24:14-15.

Question 13

What example did Jesus set?

Answer 13

• Jesus’ behaviour: treated all people equally.
• Jesus’ teaching e.g. the Good Samaritan - “Love your neighbour as yourself”.
• Jesus death: Christians believe Jesus died for everybody, not just a few. If Jesus did not see any distinction between people, then neither should Christians.

Question 14

What did the Equality Act 2010 say?

Answer 14

• It’s against the law for employers to discriminate against you because of a disability.