Women have a higher profile and feel more equal to men in Christianity than in Islam.

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Tamara Bissett 10A1                                          -  -

Women have a higher profile and feel more equal to men in Christianity than in Islam

In this coursework assignment I am going to look at religion and gender by trying to prove that my hypothesis: ‘Women have a higher profile and feel more equal to men in Christianity than in Islam’ is either true or false. I will be doing this by firstly providing background information on the religions of Christianity and Islam, then by looking at and analysing six sources I will come to a conclusion on whether my hypothesis is true or false along with evaluating my investigation. I have chosen to do this hypothesis as for centuries males have always been the dominant figures of society and everyday life while woman have been pushed into the background and their feelings have been stereotyped. By choosing this hypothesis I hope to get a balanced view of what it’s like for women in these two religions and how differently women are treated from men.

Leading on Christianity is a religion which was derived from the teaching of Jesus during the first third of the 1st century. It is divided into denominations that differ in some areas of belief and practices, its main divisions are the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant churches. Christians believe in one God with three aspects: God the father, Jesus the son, and God the Holy Spirit, who is the power of God working in the world. The main beliefs of Christians are:

  • In the beginning God created the Earth and he created the whole universe and everything in it.
  • Jesus is the son of God and took human form being born as a baby in Bethlehem. He then died on a cross to save us form our sins.
  • The Holy Spirit is a guide who guides us through our lives so that we can do what is right and it acts as a comforter; helping us through life, staying with us all the time.
  • The Bible is the book containing Jesus’ stories and miracles and God’s teachings, and is followed by Christians.

Furthermore modern day Christianity is very open and Christians can choose to pray in a church/cathedral or at home or where they are peaceful. It is thought that 33% of people in the world are Christian and 71.6% of people in England and Wales are Christian. In the past priests and vicars were strictly for men only but since only 1994 woman are allowed to be vicars too, but this is still mot allowed in the Roman Catholics churches. Christians also believe that if they live a good life and don’t sin or become evil; when they die they will be given eternal life and go to be with God in Heaven. To live a good life Christians are thought to follow the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God; however very few Christians follow all Ten Commandments today. The Ten Commandments are:

  1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
  2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
  3. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain.
  4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work.
  5. Honour thy father and thy mother.
  6. Thou shalt not kill.
  7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
  8. Thou shalt not steal.
  9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
  10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house; thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
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Leading on Islam is a religion that was founded in the Arab peninsula in the early 7th century. It emphasizes the oneness of Allah (The one God), his omnipotence, beneficence and inscrutability. There are two main Muslim sects which are the Sunni and the Shi’ite. Muslim is a very strict religion and you are either Muslim or you’re not Muslim. At the moment about 22% of the world is Muslim and about 2.7% of England and Wales is Muslim but it is predicted by 2025 a third of the worlds population will be Muslim. They believe in Jesus but only ...

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