Issues in Discrimination

Continuation

Gender Discrimination

  1. Mary Pellauer, "Violence Against Women: The Theological Dimension"
  1. the pervasive of violence against women--e.g., rape, domestic, jokes
  1. indicates treating women as "objects," "things"
  2. use of Bible and/or Natural Law to say women's roles are different perpetuates the violence--second class citizenship leads to justification of violence
  1. justice must correct violence and its conditions
  2. theological reconstruction of the "Body" can lead to a more just society
  1. dualistic approach of mind and body hurts women--since women are more "procreative" then they are less rational
  2. feminist theology values the body as necessary part of God's creation
  3. more emphasis should be put on personal, affective features than on dominating, controlling traits

Annette Baier, "Trust and Antitrust"

  1. most ethical theories are based on some sort of contractual arrangement;
  1. this requires social power and privilege, for adults not infants and oppressed
  2. these theories emphasize rationally autonomy, justice, maximization of desires, and "quid pro quo"
  3. most of these theories have been promoted by males who dominate in society
  1. more basic that these theories is trust
  1. this requires the other's good will
  2. requires vulnerability, mostly to the not yet noticed harm or disguised ill will
  3. requires sensitivity, willingness to forgive and be forgiven
  4. because we need other people, we must have trust
  5. alters power positions
  1. definition of trust--"letting other persons (natural or artificial, such as firms, nations, etc.) take care of something the truster cares about, where such 'caring for' involves some exercise of discretionary powers."
  2. The moral test of trust--when a relationship's continuation does not depend on threat or concealment;

a. morally good--able to survive awareness by each party to the relationship of what the other relies on in the first to ensure their continued trustworthiness

  1. morally bad to the extent that either party relies on qualities in the other which would be weakened by the knowledge that the other relies on them

 

The Good Samaritan (Luke 10.25-37) and Discrimination

  1. point of parable--how to be a neighbor
  2. the necessary virtue of a neighbor--vicarious and sacrificial love; benefice not just benevolence
  1. the Kingdom of God--a community of "neighbors"
  1. when to act as a neighbor--
  1. John Rawls: a) justice is fairness, b) "original position"
  2. Parable of Prodigal Son (Luke 15) and justice:
    1. Elder Son--Quid Pro Quo
    2. Father--Redemptive
    1. the relationship between love, power, and justice (Paul Tillich)
    2. power is needed to have reconciliation
  1. Justice and the "Unfairness" of life
  1. implies a "fatalism" but the Parable exhorts action
  2. the Kingdom of God opposes "Fate"