Linking Sexuality and Gender: Naming Violence against Women in The United Church of Canada

TABLE OF CONTENTS

v Acknowledgements vii List of Abbreviations ix Introduction 1 i Methodology 5 Author’s Standpoint 5 Ethical Framework 5 ii The Development of The United Church of Canada’s Approach to Human Sexuality 11 Birth Control 14 Redemptive Homes 17 The Marital Relationship and Marriage Breakdown 18 Pornography 20 Abortion 23 Concluding Remarks 25 iii The Development of The United Church of Canada’s Approach to Women’s Roles and the Family 27 Definition of Family and Gender Roles 27 Women and Ordination 28 Women’s Church Groups 29 “New Freedoms” 32 Concluding Remarks 36 iv Case Study: In God’s Image…Male and Female 39 Process, Methodology and Working Style 39 Theological Claims 42 Scientific and Experiential Claims 44 Biblical Authority and Hermenuetics 46 Ethical Decision Making 48 Intimacy and Sexual Exclusivity 51 Sexism 53 Concluding Remarks 56 Table of Contents v Case Study: Gift,Dilemma and Promise 61 Process, Methodology and Working Style 62 Sexuality and Selfhood 65 Sexual Morality 68 Marriage 68 Intimacy 72 Sexism 76 Concluding Remarks 78 Working Style 79 History 79 Content Methodology 81 vi Case Study: The Task Force on the Changing Roles of Women and Men in Church and Society 87 Mandate and Purpose 93 Membership 94 Sexism Is the Issue: Naming 95 Feminism and Theological Method 98 Institutional Reform 100 “Structures and Systems” 100 Inclusive Language and Imagery 102 Pornography and Other Forms of Male Violence against Women 103 Networking 105 1984 General Council and “Sacred Space” 105 Concluding Remarks 107 vii Taking Stock: A Contextual, Retrospective Look at Sexuality, Gender, Violence, and The United Church of Canada 111 A Summary of Some Emerging Policies and Protocols, 1982-93 111 The United Church of Canada Located in the Wider Canadian Context: Prophetic or Followers? 113 A Summary of the Factors That Blocked or Contributed to the Recognition of Violence against Women 117 Human Sexuality 117 The Family and Gender Roles 118 Critique 118 Solidarity 120 Concluding Remarks 121 notes 123 selected bibliography 149 index 157 vi Contents ...