The new three-part series will look at how, from the dawn of time, humans have felt the need to worship, to find a purpose and bring a shape to human existence. Women have always been at the heart of our understanding of the divine but, historian Bettany Hughes (pictured) argues, this part of our history has often been ignored, buried away.
To accompany the new series, the OU is issuing a booklet that explores five controversial areas around goddesses and women in religion. To obtain a copy of the booklet, and for more information on the series, visit OpenLearn.
To complement the series, OpenLearn is inviting people to vote and add their comments on women in religion on a dedicated discussion hub.
(15 votes)
Comments
I am an OU student- I've studied Religious based modules. Having just finished watching the final of the trio of Divine Women, am apsolutely astounded at how women have been so influential in Religion right from the word go. Bettany Hughes is brilliant at putting forward the case as enthralling and compelling.
I value each episode on its own merit, but the episode that got me most engrossed and the strongest reaction, was episode 2. As an unmarried, 42 year old practising Catholic, I'm appalled that this history of women in the church has been deliberitely stiffled. And not just by mens attitudes, but by womens also. As a liberal Catholic, I have quite a lot of responsability in my church, which is hampered by men and sympathetic women. Now I can say what I have felt all along, that women have just as strong a historical role to play as men.
All the other episodes were fantastic, and showed how women have sacrificed for their beliefs but also have truly gained freedom and respect, not by "permission" of men, but as truly equal to men in every sense. Thanks so much for this liberating and brilliant series.
Yvonne Hartlebury- currently studying Religion Today.
I have nothing but the highest praise for this series. I have a first class honours degree in Religious Studies and did my dissertation on the role of women in religion so this is a subject dear to my heart.
Whilst several things Bettany raised were familiar to me there was also a lot more knowledge that I had not come across myself in my studies but would make complete sense.
I wondered whether there will be a book and/or a video coming out on this series. As a teacher now of Religious Studies it would fit in very well with A level teaching but on the syllabus and for General RE in the sixth form as there is a module students are meant to follow on The Role of Women in Religion.
Fantastic series! I had to get this BBC TV series from an un-sanctioned source (I live in the USA) however it was worth any consequence!
The research, format and attention to detail from Ms. Hughes, the writers, contributors and producers were awesome!
I have requested the booklet to be mailed, however am unsure if I requested through the proper channels. Am willing to pay postal fees and or donation to receive.
Thank you again for all of your efforts.
Best Regards!