Gender Equality and Discrimination
What do Christians teach about gender equality? Explore the key ideas, the scripture behind them, and the range of Christian views on roles and discrimination - and learn to evaluate them fairly.
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Equal in the eyes of God?
Christianity teaches that every person has value, yet Christians hold different views on whether men and women should have exactly the same roles. This module covers the key terms, the scripture Christians use, and the range of Christian views on gender equality and discrimination - and how to weigh them fairly. Quotations use the public-domain King James Version.
Equality words
Four terms run through the topic:
Match each term to an example
- Prejudice
- Discrimination
- Equality
- Sexism
- Assuming a woman cannot do a job before she tries
- Refusing to hire someone because of their sex
- Paying men and women the same for the same work
- Treating someone as inferior because of their sex
A teaching on equality
Which teaching do many Christians use to support the equality of men and women?
- There is neither male nor female, for all are one in Christ
- An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
- Do not store up treasures on earth
- Consider the lilies of the field
Teachings on equality
Several Christian teachings support treating all people equally: - Genesis 1:27 - "male and female created he them", both in the image of God - Galatians 3:28 - all are "one in Christ Jesus" - "Love thy neighbour as thyself" (Mark 12:31), and the parable of the Good Samaritan Many Christians conclude that prejudice and discrimination are wrong.
A Christian response
Select the TWO responses that fit Christian teaching against discrimination.
- Treating everyone as made in the image of God
- Following "love your neighbour as yourself"
- Ignoring anyone who seems different
- Judging people before getting to know them
Two Christian views
Christians agree all people are equal in value, but differ on roles.
In practice today
In the Church of England today, women can be:
- Ordained as both priests and bishops
- Ordained as priests but never as bishops
- Not permitted to hold any church role
- Permitted only to teach children
Put it together
Christians believe all people are made in the _____ of God. Treating someone unfairly because of prejudice is _____. Some churches _____ women as priests, while others keep that role for men. Galatians says there is neither male nor _____. Christians are taught to love their _____.
Build a balanced answer
Put the parts of a balanced evaluation answer into a sensible order.
- State the question or issue clearly
- Give one Christian view, with a teaching to support it
- Give a different Christian view
- Weigh up the strengths of each view
- Reach a justified conclusion
Match each teaching to its message
- Galatians 3:28
- Genesis 1:27
- The Good Samaritan
- Love your neighbour
- All are one in Christ, whatever their sex
- Male and female are both made in the image of God
- Help anyone in need, across social divides
- Treat every person with equal care
What would fit?
Three situations. Pick the response that best fits Christian teaching, treating all views fairly.
- A Christian sees a colleague treated unfairly because she is a woman. Which response best fits Christian teaching?
- Two Christians disagree about whether women should be priests. What is the fairest thing to say?
- Which teaching would a Christian most likely use to argue against discrimination?
Evaluate the statement
"Men and women should have exactly the same roles in religion." Evaluate this statement, giving different Christian views.
- Give one Christian view on the statement, with a teaching
- Give a different Christian view, with a reason
- Weigh up the two views
- Reach a justified conclusion of your own
More than one view
Evaluation questions reward more than one view. Never give only your own opinion - present at least two Christian views, each with a teaching or reason, then weigh them. Show you understand that Christians genuinely differ (for example on the ordination of women), quote a teaching such as Galatians 3:28 accurately, and reach a justified conclusion. Two views, weighed, concluded - top band.