Women in the Clergy Presented by Katie McIntosh and Stephanie Milligan

Women in the Clergy Definition of Clergy A body or order of persons specially trained and ordained to perform religious services. For example, ministers, pastors, priests, and rabbis are members of the clergy. All the persons commissioned or otherwise designated for religious duties, including deacons, lay ministers, etc.

Women in the Clergy This controversial issue creates short and long term effects: Long Term Certain religions would create more denominations because of the opposing views on this issue. People could convert to another religion or change to another denomination if they didn’t like the decision that had been made. If a religion or denomination decided to prohibit women in the clergy, protests and debates may take place among woman activists. Short term A woman’s occupation could be a leadership role in the church. There would be an increase in the number of people attempting to obtain clergy positions.

Women in the Clergy Islam There is no clergy for Islam. Although men and women are considered equal in Allah's eyes, Muslim women are restricted from being imam (religious leaders). In the mosques, the men must worship in the front as the women worship in the back. This is to prevent evil thoughts and temptations by the men, which may exist if the women bow down and prostrate in front of them. This must be avoided during prayer.

Women in the Clergy Islam This is the reason why women can't be imam because imam lead from the front. A woman may lead a prayer service in her own home, among only family members, or if the congregation is purely female. Women cannot lead Salat specifically since Salat is a very fixed and formalized type of prayer. Introducing a new style in Salat is prohibited, so since it has always been led by men, it always will be led by men.

Women in the Clergy Judaism A rabbi is the key member of the Jewish clergy. Rabbi means “teacher” and this person is a trained scholar, counsellor, and performs special ceremonies. A cantor leads the congregational services, sings hymns, and chants prayers. Women are not allowed to be a part of the clergy, as rabbis or cantors, in Orthodox Judaism. Women and men have different roles that complement each other.

Women in the Clergy Judaism In the early 1970’s, the presence of women in the clergy was being granted in Jewish denominations. These denominations of Judaism focus more on modern Jewish philosophy, and less on the traditional Jewish ways: In Conservative Judaism, women are allowed to become rabbis and cantors. In Reconstructionist and Reform Judaism, both women and men can become rabbis and cantors.

Women in the Clergy Sikhism There is no clergy for Sikhism. The person who organizes daily services, teaches, and leads from the Guru Granth Sahib is called a granthi. Women can fully participate in religious services and become granthi. Any male or female Sikh that is competent to lead worship can do so. Sikh women may also perform kirtan-singing of religious hymns and even solemnize marriages.

Women in the Clergy Christianity “I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.” 1 Timothy 2:12 : Orthodox and Catholic Christianity: The clergy consists of deacons, priests, and bishops. - Women are not allowed to be leaders, but they may participate in all other areas of the church. - They follow their scripture (seen above) and follow the example of the twelve apostles and other leaders who were all male.

Women in the Clergy Christianity Protestant Christianity: The clergy consists of pastors and ministers, except for Anglicans who have deacons, priests, and bishops. - Most Protestant denominations allow women in the clergy. - Anglicans allow women to become deacons and priests, but few are allowed to become bishops. - Several Conservative Protestant denominations do not allow women in the clergy, such as the Southern Baptists. They believe that the bible does not support women as pastors, and that the bible teaches that women cannot teach in authority over men.

Women in the Clergy Hinduism Although female priests were written about in the sacred Vedic texts, for a long time, priests could only be males from the Brahmin caste. Recently people realized that women are equally entitled to be priests. Hindu women have always been responsible for religion in the home and training the children. Some Hindus in rural India are opposed to the idea of women priests, believing that they make the ceremonies unreligious. Female Hindu priests are relatively common now.

Women in the Clergy Discussion- What do you know? 1. What is a granthi? 2. Can this person be a woman? 3. Most branches of Judaism allow women to be part of the clergy. Has it always been this way? 4. Which branch still does not allow women to be part of the clergy?

Women in the Clergy Discussion- What do you think? 5. Do you consider this a smart thing to do to further women’s rights? Or is it a controversial decision against her religion? Should she have consulted a Muslim organization first to make sure that it was okay?

Women in the Clergy Discussion- What do you think? 6. What is the main reason why Muslim women are not allowed to lead a mixed-gender Friday prayer service? 7. In your opinion, is this a valid reason to not allow the women to lead?

Women in the Clergy Discussion- What do you think? 8. Do you feel that this reflects the importance of women in the Christian clergy? Does this amount of women seem small or large? Does it show that men should be the only leaders in a church, or that women are equal to men?

Women in the Clergy Discussion- What do you think? 9. Would you be willing to switch denominations or even religions, if you disagreed with a belief that they held? Or would you stay with your denomination or religion, and be willing to adapt? Jimmy Carter, former U.S. President

Women in the Clergy Discussion- What do you think? 10. “I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.” - 1 Timothy 2:12 In a Canadian society, women and men are usually seen as equals. Should we be questioning women’s authority in a church,when we do not question it in the workplace?