Feminism and religion * Differential socialisation – more submissive, passive, obedient, nurturing * Differential roles – higher rates of participation in child rearing allows more time for church related activities, plus participation at home, for example Hindu women look after the family shrine, Jewish women pass on the laws of Sabbath to their children * Many feminists’ theories of religion follow Marxist theories arguing that religion is a n instrument of domination and oppression, but unlike Marxism they also see it as a form of patriarchal control – religion reinforces traditional gender roles and legitimises gender inequalities, advocating traditional family structures and therefore acting as an agent of social control. Religious ideology presents women’s subordinate place within the family as normal and natural. * Jean Holm – she says that the basis for women’s subordination is their sexuality. Menstruation makes women unclean thus polluting holy places for example they cannot touch the Qur’an or enter the Mosques when menstruating. Another reason for gender inequality is that women are seen as a distraction – their presence may distract men from their more important role of worship. Holm goes on to describe some of the inequalities within different religions ( Japanese folk religions says that women are responsible for organising public rituals but only men can take part in public performances). * This is a form of sexual apartheid – separating women from men for example women are often confined to the balcony or behind a screen in synagogues. * Stained glass ceiling – a term used to describe women’s position in the Church of England * Simone De Beauvoir argues religion can be used by men to control women and also serves to compensate women for their second class status. * Men have generally exercised control over religious