Catholic Religion example essay topic

Religion has existed for as long as man has. Both men, and women believed in a superior being to explain the existence of life. Now with the different varieties of religions, men and women play different roles that are permitted by each one of them. Men are allowed to do as they please in the church as far as the worshipping of god is concerned, but women have been and still are restricted from performing some of the same task.

Women are expected to follow and obey the word of God just as much as men are, but they still are denied the privilege of spreading the word of God. The male gender has dominated the world for the past hundreds of years, but times have changed and women are seeking equality. Even in the church, men are categorized as superior to women. Since it is difficult to actually know what God wants from his followers, the Bible is one source that has been used as reference to determine superiority of genders in the church. "Jesus was a man who chose 12 male apostles to carry on his work, therefore only men could be priest" (Conner A 1), is a common reference used to the scriptures found in the Bible.

This attitude labeled tradition is still around today and is being taught today throughout the world, basically in the Roman Catholic religion. The Bible states "Let your women keep silent in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak, but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law" (I Corinthians 14: 34). When a person receives the calling, whether man or woman, it usually means that God is asking to become one of his disciples and spread his word. Women receive this calling just like men, but because women have been denied that privilege for so many years, they have no choice, but to serve only between the boundaries that have been given to them.

Since many churches have finally given in to allowing women into the ministry, they now believe that God does not have a gender, and there are a number of ways God can be addressed without calling God a he or she. Another argument is that Jesus asked his followers to "take up your cross, deny yourself, and follow me" (Ost ling, 55): he did not say whether it should be man or women. Supporters of women's ordination believe that what is important is that Jesus came to earth as a human, not a male. One more argument stated stories that Christ was a carpenter, which dictate that only those skilled with hand tools shall be called to the priesthood. Besides a numerous amount of evidence in favor of women's ordinations, there are plenty of church officials, and religions that do believe that women should not remain in silent prayer. Others feel that women ministers would be more nurturing and caring.

Many religions have given into the argument of women's ordination. The Catholic religion is one that still stands firm in its decision. It will keep recognizing women's gifts and full spiritual equality but wants to preserve distinct roles for each gender. Catholic schools and hospitals are run by women. Because of the 1983 revised canon law and Vatican II, women are allowed to lead music and read parts of the Bible during parish worship. They can also serve as extraordinary eucharistic ministers.

This means only after the male minister has blessed the bread and wine, they can distribute it. Women are not allowed to give the actual mass or allow any sacraments to be performed, such as confession, matrimony, or anointment. Women find the responsibilities given to them are inadequate; they feel they can do much more to serve there God. The Catholic women have felt the need for preaching so much that they are driven to convert to other religions. For some women, who feel irresistibly called to do more, the only choice is to find a vocation outside Catholicism. There are those who still have hope that women will be ordained in the catholic religion.

The grandniece of the famous Susan B. Anthony says, "There will always be people who oppose women in any type of spiritual role. But I believe women will be ordained-maybe not in my lifetime, but someday. I am just as sure of it as my great-aunt was sure that women someday would gain the right to vote".