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Abstract

Religion plays a pivotal role in shaping cultural norms, values, and power structures within societies. Religious discourse, as a socially constructed form of knowledge, defines gender roles, norms, and stereotypes, often reinforcing systems of privilege that favor straight, cisgender, white, and male individuals. This paper explores how religious teachings contribute to gender inequality, limiting opportunities for women and marginalized groups while enforcing rigid expectations of gender identity and sexual orientation. The analysis highlights the intersection of religion and power, exploring the topic through four lenses: systems of privilege and inequality, gender, social implications, and media and culture; it also presents a future-orientated analysis. While some progress has been made in dismantling gendered hierarchies within religious institutions, deeply ingrained beliefs present significant obstacles to change. Education, open dialogue, and structural shifts are necessary to challenge and transform these power dynamics, fostering inclusivity and equity in religious and cultural spaces.

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