The Church

• How does the Church view the relationship between gender and culture?

  Gender roles can be cultural but are not entirely so
• What is the Church's stance on sexual identity?

  It is created by God and part of creation
• How does the Church view the distinction between gender and biological sex?

  They can be distinguished but not separated
• What does the Church believe about gender expectations?

  Some should be challenged, but not all
• What does St. Thomas Aquinas say about love and responsibility?

  Greater responsibility leads to greater love
• What is the Church's view on the roles of men and women in the Church?

  They are equal but have different roles
• What does the Church believe about valid marriage?

  It is between a man and a woman
• How does the Church view the relationship between masculinity and femininity?

  They are distinct yet complementary
• What does the Church say about the equality of men and women?

  They are equal in dignity but different in roles
• What is the Church's stance on current secular views on gender?

  It should resist harmful modern theories
• What does the Church believe about the exemptions in the Equality Act?

  They allow for gender-specific roles in religion
• What is the Church's view on the relationship between gender and biological sex?

  They are part of creation and interconnected
• What are the Church's views on the relationship between gender and society?

  • Gender roles can be influenced by culture.
  • Some gender expectations should be challenged.
  • Biological reality cannot be ignored.
  • Gender identity is part of the whole person.
• What is the Christian idea regarding the equality of men and women?

  Men and women are equal but have different roles.
• What does the Church believe about the essence of men and women?

  Men and women are different in essence.
• Who are the exceptions to the Church's roles for men and women?

  Priests, monks, nuns, rabbis, and ministers.
• What does the British Humanist Association think about the Church's exemptions?

  They think the exemptions are unjust.
• How does the Church's view on gender roles relate to the Genesis account of creation?

  The Church's view is inspired by Genesis' creation account.
• What does Christianity teach about the body according to the text?

  The body is part of who you are.
• What does the Church believe about the roles of men and women in the Church?

  Women cannot act as priests.
• How does the Church view the relationship between masculinity and femininity?

  They are distinct yet complete each other.
• What is the Church's response to the perceived inequality in the Ephesians passage?

  Many see it as implying a wife's obedience.
• How do modern Christians interpret the Ephesians passage differently?

  They view it as mutual submission and partnership.
• How does the Church view the bond of marriage?

  It is a spiritual and deeper gift from God.
• What concerns does the Church have about divorce?

  It may cheapen the value of marriage.
• How does the Church view marriage in relation to consumerism?

  Marriage protects against disposable relationships.
• What are the Church's views on cohabitation and divorce?

  • Marriage is ideal: indissoluble and exclusive.
  • Cohabitation lacks public commitment.
  • Divorce is seen as a consumerist approach.
  • True relationships should not be disposable.
• How does the Church respond to gender identity issues?

  It believes in valuing God-given biological reality.
• What does the Church believe about the acceptance of one's body?

  It is necessary for self-awareness and mutual enrichment.
• What does the Church think about surgical intervention for gender identity?

  It is seen as not valuing God's gift.
• What are the Church's views on gender roles and identity?

  • Gender roles can be restrictive.
  • The Church values God-given biological realities.
  • Surgical changes are viewed negatively.
  • Acceptance of one's body is essential for self-awareness.
• Early Christians

  more inclusive of women
• “Men are superior to women“

  • Plato
  • Aristotle
  • Aquinas - ‘women are defective’
• Women’s leadership roles in the Church

  some Christians believe it is a matter of theology, not equality
• Gender roles in the family

  • in Genesis men and women were designed to work alongside each other in family life
  • modern Christians argue that the Bible should be read in the context of the time in which it is written, thus can be forgiven for its narrow approach
• Is Christianity sexist?

  • Jesus deliberately chose men as his key disciples
  • if Jesus chose only men there there was a theological reasoning behind it, not a sexist one (women were still part of his inner circle)
  • views sexism has changed, it used to be a privilege to stay at home