one of Kenya’s largest ethnic groups or micro-nations

a person who campaigns to bring about political or social change

taking control of a country and exploiting the resources and people

the idea that God gave humans control over nature

the idea that humanity should look after the world God has created

Wangari Maathai and the Green Belt Movement

Religious education

Coptic Christianity: Desert Fathers and Mothers

Mercy Amba Oduyoye and African Women's theology

Saint Rose of Lima

Delores S. Williams and womanist theology

Candomblé and Brazilian spirituality

In this unit pupils will examine how Christianity has been challenged by, and adapted to, cultures and the experiences of the Global South. Focussing on Africa and South America, pupils will look at theologians and practices that have emerged and the challenges they have made.

Christianity: how have the experiences of the Global South shaped it?

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

trees provide food, stabilise soil and improve water retention

trees are mainly planted for religious ceremonies

Why did Wangari Maathai believe planting trees was important?

that it justified humans using nature however they wanted

that it was a misunderstanding and should be replaced with stewardship

that it meant humans should destroy nature

What did Wangari Maathai believe about dominion?

to show that small actions can make a big difference

to prove that animals are smarter than humans

Why did Wangari Maathai use the story of the hummingbird?

What was one of the main influences on Wangari Maathai’s activism?

The Bible teaches {{}}, which is the idea that humans should care for the environment as God’s creation.

In 2004, Wangari Maathai became the first African woman to win the Nobel {{}} Prize for her environmental activism.

she grew up only with Christian influences

she observed the effects of colonialism and the patriarchy

she rejected both Christianity and Akan traditions

How did Mercy Amba Oduyoye’s childhood shape her theology?

the patriarchal and colonial influences on theology

the idea that women should participate in religion

What did Oduyoye aim to challenge in Christianity?

it focuses only on academic theology and doctrine

it is rooted in lived experiences and community

What is a key feature of African Women’s Theology?

that African culture had no place in Christianity

that Christianity should be reinterpreted through African traditions

How did Oduyoye view the relationship between African culture and Christianity?

Oduyoye’s {{}} feared that Western Christianity made African women invisible.

The {{}} of Concerned African Women Theologians created space for women to share their theological perspectives.

Starter Quiz

How did Mercy Amba Oduyoye’s childhood shape her theology?