The Status of Women in Religion Chapter Notes | Religion, Philosophy & Ethics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Christian Views on the Roles of Women in Religion

• Christians hold that men and women are equal, both created by God in His image.

• Historically, women were expected to be mothers and homemakers, while men were responsible for providing financially for the family.

• These traditional roles are now considered outdated by many, with a growing belief that roles should be shared equally between men and women.
  

• The role of women in religion has evolved similarly:

  • For much of Christian history, women were barred from becoming priests.

  • In early Christianity, Paul stated: "just as Christ is the head of man, so man is the head of women," and that "women should remain silent in the churches" (1 Corinthians 14:34), reflecting the social norms of that era.

  • These views are now seen as outdated, as societal norms have shifted.

• Most Christian denominations now accept women as leaders:

  • In 1993, the Church of England began ordaining women as priests, and in 2014, it appointed its first female bishop.

  • Some non-conformist Christian Churches, such as the Congregationalists, have had women ministers since 1917.

• This shift is supported by Biblical teachings on equality: "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).

• However, women are still not permitted to be priests in the Catholic or Orthodox Churches.
  Based on the reasoning that:

  • All of Jesus’ apostles were men.

  • During Mass, the priest represents Jesus blessing the bread and wine, and since Jesus was male, a woman cannot fulfill this role.

Muslim Views on the Roles of Women in Religion

• In Islam, family roles for men and women tend to follow traditional patterns.

• Islamic teachings often encourage women to take on roles such as raising children and teaching them about the faith, which are seen as highly valuable.

• Men are described as the "caretakers of women" (Qur’an 4:34) and are expected to provide financial support for the family.

• Modern changes have led many Muslim women to pursue professional careers while balancing family responsibilities, with men increasingly sharing household duties.

• Money earned by women is considered their own, as men are still expected to be the primary financial providers.

• In worship, women have the same obligations as men to honor Allah through prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage.

• Due to their roles as mothers, women are not required to attend the mosque five times daily for prayer or for the Friday Jummah prayer.

• When women do attend the mosque, they pray in a separate area, such as a different hall or at the back of the mosque.

• Women and men have different roles in religious leadership:

  • Traditionally, only men could serve as imams, as the Qur’an states: "men have a degree over them (women) in responsibility and authority" (Qur’an 2:228).

  • It remains uncommon for women to be imams, except in women-only mosques.

  • Women can serve as scholars, teachers, or preachers within the religion.

• In some Islamic societies, women face restrictions on their rights:

  • For example, in Saudi Arabia, women must be chaperoned when leaving home and fully covered in public.

  • These restrictions may seem strict compared to Western norms.

  • Some Muslims argue these measures protect women, while others contend they stem more from cultural practices than religious mandates, emphasizing that men and women are equal before Allah.