CHRISTIANITY AND HEGEMONIC MASCULINITIES: TRANSFORMING BOTSWANA HEGEMONIC MASCULINITY USING THE JESUS OF LUKE

  • Lovemore Togarasei University of Botswana
Keywords: Christianity, Hegemonic Masculinity, Botswana, Jesus, Proverbs, Culture, Religion

Abstract

 In dealing with dangerous hegemonic masculinities, there is need to rethink the position of Christianity since the religion itself is sometimes used in the construction of such dangerous masculinities. This is true of the case discussed in this article. The article shows how culture, traditional religion, colonial attitudes and Christianity help in the construction of dangerous masculinities in Botswana. Having done that, it then argues for a specific use of certain biblical traditions, in this case the tradition of the Jesus of Luke’s Gospel. The article shows how Jesus’ attitude to women as presented in this gospel was revolutionary and called for a new way of defining a man. It then concludes by showing that, in communities that still value the life and teaching of Jesus, the masculinity expressed by Jesus can serve as a model to address dangerous hegemonic masculinities.

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Author Biography

Lovemore Togarasei, University of Botswana
 Department of Theology and Religious Studies Academic
Published
2013-11-18
Section
Voice and Voicelessness Conference (New York, Oct. 2012)