Women in Western Religions Today By: Janel Alimboyoguen, Gwyneth Calipjo, Julia Conley, Elly Guadarrama

Overview Women in Judaism today (Orthodox vs. Liberal) Women in Christianity today (Catholic vs. Protestant vs. Orthodox) Women in Islam (Theocracy vs. Democracy)

Women In Orthodox Judaism Study Torah or ordained as a Rabbi or Cantor? Covered Hair Kosher Kitchen Separation Touching Other Men

Liberal Judaism Study the Torah Rabbis Bat Mitzvah Separation? High Office Positions Rabbi Pauline Bebe

Women in the Hebrew Bible God as a Mother Caring for her Child - Isaiah 49:14-18 - Isaiah 66:10-13

Worksheet Question #1 According to Proverbs, how is the ideal wife expected to behave and how does it compare or contrast with the view of the ideal wife today? Puts family first, kind, giving, worthy of praise, smart, strong, more than a pretty face, never idle, always working for the good of the household, fears God.

Women in the Catholic Church Priests? Nuns Separation? Have a Role in Every Aspect of Society Most perfect human being was a woman: Mary

Protestant Women (Baptist & Lutheran) ordained first woman in 1929 & 1992 Priest and Preachers Conservative Protestants Separation?

Women in Orthodox Christianity Access to Altar Gospel Reading Baptismal Religious Education Choir Priesthood

Women in the New Testament Women and Men are Equal - Galatians 3:23-29 - 1 Corinthians 11:3-16 Women Must Remain Quiet - 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 - 1 Timothy 2: 1-15

Worksheet Question #2 Do you feel that the role of women today is in line with the selected readings in the NT?  Explain you answer. In most aspects, women are fairly equal to men. However, in some branches the is still exclusion from the clergy.

Women In Islam (Theocratic Gov’ts) Theocracy: Afghanistan (Taliban), Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia (Islamism) Beating Hijab “Iran Cracks Down on Women’s Day”

Women in Islam (Democratic Gov’ts) Democracy: USA, Indonesia, India, E. Europe Separation? Dress Duties Dowry Political Power Active Participants

Women in Islam Difference between Islamic Beliefs and Cultural Beliefs - Mistreatment Qur’an: story of Adam and Eve Surah 65: 1-11 Women are independent individuals and accountable for their own actions on the Day of Judgement.

Women in Power Clergy and Religious Scholars: - Education - Official Position in a Masjid (Mosque) - Imam? National leaders: - Muhammad - Islamic Law - Aisha Example of historical role models for Muslim women as leaders: - Razia Sultana: short-lived third major independent Muslim ruler of the Sultanate of Delhi in India - Mamluk Queen Shaiarat ad-Dur: ruled for a few years in Egypt.

Worksheet Question #3 What is the basis for the hijab in the Qur'an? Surah 24:31 (modesty)

Leading Women in Western Religions Today

Judaism: Tova Hartman Professor of Education at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, specializing in Gender Studies Founder of Kehillat Shira Hadasha in 2001

Shira Hadasha Embraces women’s commitment to halakha (Jewish religious law, customs, and traditions), tefillah (prayer), and feminisn Response to the role of women in the synagogue. First Partnership Minyan Controversy

Christianity: Barbara Harris First woman ordained a bishop in the Anglican Communion Noted for her liberal views and her outspokennes. Ordained a deacon in 1979 and a priest in 1980. Ordained Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts on February 11, 1989. Currently serves as Assisting Bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC and publishes The Witness magazine as president of the Episcopal Church Publishing Company.

Islam: Ingrid Mattson Earned her Ph.D. in Islamic Studies from the University of Chicago in 1999. Her research is focused on Islamic law and society. Activist Current President of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) Raised as a Catholic then abandoned Religion

Summary Study - Judaism - Christianity - Islam Ordination Separation