Religious Studies GCSE Component 1

The Role of Men and Women:

Catholic:

-Many/most/ some Catholics believe that woman should follow traditional roles e.g. bringing up the children, running the household, submit to their husbands and they are not allowed to have a role in Church leadership except from nuns.

-Men are expected to be breadwinners, be the head of the family, have children and attend Mass every Sunday. Alternatively, they could become a religious figure e.g. a priest or monk etc.

-Many/most/some Catholics are against other genders as God created man and woman for one another (Adam and Eve). Other genders cannot/have the chance of not procreate(ing).

Church of England/ Anglican:

-Many/most/ some Anglicans believe that men and women are equal as both men and women can become vicars or reverends etc.

-Archbishop Welby wrote that “All bullying, including homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying causes profound damage, leading to higher levels of mental health disorders, self-harm, depression and suicide.” This shows that many/most/some Protestants are for multiple genders as people can have a better quality of life and everyone is made in God’s image.

Hinduism:

-There are 4 stages of life for Hindu males. To learn about Hindu traditions from a Guru, to marry, to raise a family, to move away from ordinary life to live as a hermit in order to get rid of earthly possessions.

-Women are expected to be wives and worship their husbands in order to reach Moksha. If a women is a widow, she has two options: live an austere life or immolate herself (sati). Some women become Brahmacharini who study the Vedas. Manusmriti are girls who have to obey and follow their husbands and father.

-Modernising in cities but not in remote towns and villages.

-Gopi Shankar studies gender variation in the south of India- he’s a gender activist who has studied over 20 types of genders.

-Since Vedic times, a third gender has been acknowledged within Hinduism- in the Laws of Manu it states that there are three genders: male, female or gender neutral.

-Idea of a third gender is still controversial though.

Sexual relationships:

Catholics:

-Most/many/ some Catholics believe that they have to control their sexual nature. The attraction between men and women was created by God so that they can unite with one another and produce offspring in the future. However, this should only happen between man and woman within a marriage (not in a premarital relationship). “Each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honour, not in the passion of lust like heathens who do not know God.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5. They are encouraged to love in the non-sexual way (agape).

Church of England/ Anglicans/Protestant:

-Many/some/most Protestants believe that sex is not only for procreation but more importantly to show love and affection in a marriage.

Hinduism:

- Sex is considered a good thing which is to be enjoyed as one of the duties of married life (the householder stage of life). Sexual intercourse is generally expected to…