Task 1.

Match religious groups with their characteristic features

1. Rastafarianism h) a) This is the only spiritual movement in the world that

worships a vehicle.
2. Aghori religion j) b) Blacks are true Jews, while white Jews are devils that
have to be vanquished.
3. Raёlism e) c) People of this religion wear the clothes of pirates.
4. the nation of Yahweh b) d) It is believed in this religious movement that Jesus,
Krishna, Buddha were aliens.
5. Universe people f) e) It is considered in this religion that the world was
founded 25000 years ago and in 2025 the creators will
descend on Earth.
6. Pastafarianism c) f) Founded in 1990 this movement believes that the
world is based upon existence of extraterrestrial
civilizations.
7. The Church of Euthanasia g) This group encourages cannibalism and suicide.
d)
8. Aetherius society g) h) The main principles of this religion are ritual use of
marijuana, avoiding alcohol and wearing dreadlocks.
9. Bullet Baba’s Motobike a) i) There is a believe that force is a real power in the
universe.
10. Jediism i) j) Followers of this cult prefer to drink and eat from
kapalas and most of them are cannibals.

Task 2. Fill in the table according to the scheme below

Religion / cult / Founder Main principles and features

movement
Rastafarianism Ethiopian Emperor Haile
Selassie I in 1930
Aghori religion Baba Keenaram, an ascetic who
is said to have lived 150 years,
dying during the second half of
the 18th century.
Raёlism In 1974 by Claude Vorilhon (b.
Rastafarians believe in some of the
Bible mixed with some African
beliefs and traditions.
They engage in post-mortem rituals.
They often dwell in charnel grounds,
smear cremation ashes on their
bodies, and use bones from human
corpses for crafting kapalas (skull
cups) and jewellery. Their practices
are sometimes considered
contradictory to orthodox Hinduism.
The Raëlian Movement teaches that
 1946), now known as Raël.
The nation of In 1979 in Miami by former
Yahweh Nation of Islam minister, Hulon
Mitchell Jr.
Universe people Vo A. Benda began his public
activities in the middle of the
1990s.
Pastafarianism In 2005 following the
publication of an open letter by
Bobby Henderson.
The Church of Reverend Chris Korda and
Euthanasia Pastor Kim (Robert Kimberk)
in Boston, Massachusetts, Unite
d States in 1992.
life on Earth was scientifically
created by a species
of extraterrestrial human scientists,
which they call the "Elohim".
Members of this species appeared
human when having personal
contacts with the descendants of the
humans that they made. They
purposely misinformed early
humanity that they were
angels, cherubim, or gods. Prophets
or messengers of the Elohim
include Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad,
and others.
Its goal is to move African
Americans, who it believes are the
original Israelites, to Israel. The
group accepts Yahweh ben Yahweh
as the Son of God. In this way, its
beliefs are unique and distinct from
those of other Black Hebrew Israelite
groups.
Their belief system is based upon the
existence of extraterrestrial
civilizations communicating with
Benda and other contactees
telepathically.
Is a social movement that promotes a
light-hearted view of religion and
opposes the teaching of intelligent
design and creationism in public
schools.
As stated in the Church's website, it
is "a non-profit educational
foundation devoted to restoring
balance between Humans and the
remaining species on Earth".
[2]
 Members of this organization
affirm this can only turn into a reality
by a massive voluntary population
reduction, which will depend on a

Aetherius society In 1955 by Master of Yoga Dr
George King.
Bullet Baba’s On December 23rd, 1988, Om
Motobike Singh Rathore, the 23-year-old
son of a village elder in Chotila.
Jediism In 2001 when a number of
people recorded their religion as
"Jedi".
leap in human consciousness to
species-awareness. According to
Rev. Chris Korda it is likely that this
Church is the world's only anti-
human religion.
The main purpose of this Society is
to help as many people as possible to
prepare themselves for the coming
New Age. We do this by improving
world karma and using spiritual
energy to help others – often in direct
cooperation with advanced alien
intelligences.
The motorcycle temple of Rajasthan
has become so popular that it now
has its own full-time priest in charge
of upkeep, performing daily rituals
and collecting donations. Across the
road, vendors have set up a
commercial complex, where visitors
can buy all kinds of things, from
alcohol offerings, flowers and sacred
threads to tie on the wheels of the
Royal Enfield, to key-chains and
postcards.
Although followers of Jediism
acknowledge the influence of Star
Wars on their religion, by following
the moral and spiritual codes
demonstrated by the fictional
Jedi, they also insist their path is
different from that of the fictional
characters and that Jediism does not
focus on the myth and fiction found
in Star Wars. While there is some
variation in teaching, the Jedi of the
Temple of the Jedi Order follows the
"16 teachings" based on the
presentation of the fictional Jedi,
such as "Jedi are mindful of the
negative emotions which lead to the
 Dark Side" and "Jedi are guardians of
peace and justice". Adherents also
follow "21 maxims".

Task 3. Answer the questions to the video

1. What religion / movement / cult from the video is the oddest to you?
The social movement pastafarianism is the oddest to me. They have a weird name
“The Flying Spaghetti Monster”. People of this religion wear the clothes of pirates.
2. What religion / movement / cult from the video is quite all right to you?
Any religion / movement / cult from the video is quite all right to me. Because I
follow my religion, and I quite like it.
3. If there was a possibility to choose one of these religions / movements / cults,
what would you choose?
I would choose Bullet Baba’s Motobike movement. I liked the essence of its creation.
4. Is it normal to practise such strange kinds of religious beliefs?
In my opinion this is normal. There are different people, different faiths.
5. Do you know any other strange religions / movements / cults?
No, I do not know. Thanks to you I found out these one`s.

Gender

Task 1. Match gender notions with their definitions.

Gender notion Definition

1. Gender g) a) The health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and
during the postpartum period
2. Gender-based violence b) Discrepancy between men and women in the areas of
d) health, education, political empowerment, and economic
empowerment
3. Gender equality f) c) Relative access to resources for men and women, often
used for education
4. Gender gap b) d) Violence against women based on their perceived
subordinate status (e.g., physical abuse, sexual assault,
psychological abuse, trafficking)
5. Gender parity c) e) The fostering of a woman's sense of self-worth, her
decision-making power, her access to opportunities and
resources, her power and control over her own life inside
and outside the home, and her ability to affect change.
6. Maternal health a) f) Equal power and opportunities for men and women
7. Women’s g) Socially-constructed roles and responsibilities that
empowerment e) societies consider appropriate for men and women

Task 2. Look through the text and be ready to discuss it

Global Issues: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment

Gender equality is a human right, but our world faces a persistent gap in access
to opportunities and decision-making power for women and men. Globally, women
have fewer opportunities for economic participation than men, less access to basic and
higher education, greater health and safety risks, and less political representation.
The word gender describes the socially-constructed roles and responsibilities
that societies consider appropriate for men and women. Gender equality means that
men and women have equal power and equal opportunities for financial
independence, education, and personal development. Women's empowerment is a
critical aspect of achieving gender equality. It includes increasing a woman's sense of
self-worth, her decision-making power, her access to opportunities and resources, her
power and control over her own life inside and outside the home, and her ability to
effect change. Yet gender issues are not focused on women alone, but on the
relationship between men and women in society. The actions and attitudes of men and
boys play an essential role in achieving gender equality.
Education is a key area of focus. Although the world is making progress in
achieving gender parity in education, girls still make up a higher percentage of out-of-
school children than boys. Approximately one quarter of girls in the developing world
do not attend school. Typically, families with limited means who cannot afford costs
such as school fees, uniforms, and supplies for all of their children will prioritize
education for their sons. Families may also rely on girls' labor for household chores,
carrying water, and childcare, leaving limited time for schooling. But prioritizing
girls' education provides perhaps the single highest return on investment in the
developing world. An educated girl is more likely to postpone marriage, raise a
smaller family, have healthier children, and send her own children to school. She has
more opportunities to earn an income and to participate in political processes, and she
is less likely to become infected with HIV.
Women's health and safety is another important area. HIV/AIDS is becoming
an increasingly impactful issue for women. This can be related to women having
fewer opportunities for health education, unequal power in sexual partnership, or as a
result of gender-based violence. Maternal health is also an issue of specific concern.
In many countries, women have limited access to prenatal and infant care, and are
more likely to experience complications during pregnancy and childbirth. This is a
critical concern in countries where girls marry and have children before they are
ready; often well before the age of 18. Quality maternal health care can provide an
important entry point for information and services that empower mothers as informed
decision-makers concerning their own health and the health of their children.
A final area of focus in attaining gender equality is women's economic and
political empowerment. Though women comprise more than 50% of the world's
population, they only own 1% of the world's wealth. Throughout the world, women
and girls perform long hours of unpaid domestic work. In some places, women still
lack rights to own land or to inherit property, obtain access to credit, earn income, or
to move up in their workplace, free from job discrimination. At all levels, including at
home and in the public arena, women are widely underrepresented as decision-
makers. In legislatures around the world, women are outnumbered 4 to 1, yet women's
political participation is crucial for achieving gender equality and genuine democracy.
Globally, no country has fully attained gender equality. Scandinavian countries
like Iceland, Norway, Finland, and Sweden lead the world in their progress toward
closing the gender gap. In these countries, there is relatively equitable distribution of
available income, resources, and opportunities for men and women. The greatest
gender gaps are identified primarily in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
However, a number of countries in these regions, including Lesotho, South Africa,
and Sri Lanka outrank the United States in gender equality.

Topics for discussion:

1. What are gender and gender equality?
The word gender describes the socially-constructed roles and responsibilities that
societies consider appropriate for men and women. Gender equality is a human right,
but our world faces a persistent gap in access to opportunities and decision-making
power for women and men.
2. Is there any gender inequality in the field of education?
Although the world is making progress in achieving gender parity in education, girls
still make up a higher percentage of out-of-school children than boys.
3. Delve upon gender inequality in health care.
HIV/AIDS is becoming an increasingly impactful issue for women. This can be
related to women having fewer opportunities for health education, unequal power in
sexual partnership, or as a result of gender-based violence.
4. Is economic and political empowerment a myth or reality?
Though women comprise more than 50% of the world's population, they only own
1% of the world's wealth. Throughout the world, women and girls perform long hours
of unpaid domestic work. In some places, women still lack rights to own land or to
inherit property, obtain access to credit, earn income, or to move up in their
workplace, free from job discrimination. At all levels, including at home and in the
public arena, women are widely underrepresented as decision-makers. In legislatures
around the world, women are outnumbered 4 to 1, yet women's political participation
is crucial for achieving gender equality and genuine democracy
5. What countries have the greatest gender gap?
The greatest gender gaps are identified primarily in the Middle East, Africa, and
South Asia.
6. What are the countries that attain gender equality?
However, a number of countries in these regions, including Lesotho, South Africa,
and Sri Lanka outrank the United States in gender equality.
7. Do you think that there is a problem of gender inequality in the world?
Gender inequality holds back the growth of individuals, the development of countries
and the evolution of societies, to the disadvantage of both men and women.
The population issue will not be solved if we do not meet the problems of individuals.
If women had the power, for example, to make decisions about their own sexual
activity and its consequences, 80 million unwanted pregnancies, 20 million unsafe
abortions, and 500 000 maternal deaths could be avoided each year.
8. What fields of human activity do you consider to have no gender parity?
Some of the examples of systemic gender inequality in Ukraine include low level of
participation by Ukrainian women in political and civic processes, especially in
higher positions, patriarchal culture and deeply entrenched gender stereotypes,
widespread gender-based violence etc.

Task 3. Watch the video and make short summary of the information you have
heard:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
time_continue=117&v=cRbtI2phnYU&feature=emb_title
UNICEF USA: Equality for Women and Girls
In more than 150 countries around the world UNICEF works to provide children
with what they need to survive and thrive: medicine and immunizations, clean water,
nutrition, education, emergency relief and protection from violence. And exploitation
from improving maternal health to fighting for an end to gender-based violence from
ensuring that girls get a basic education to working to end female genital mutilation.
UNICEF integrates gender equity into its life-saving programs all over the globe.
One battle UNICEF fights is to ensure that girls get an education. Over 36
million girls do not have a place in school but without gender equity in education the
world's health and Development Goals cannot be reached. UNICEF makes schools
more accessible to girls by training female teachers, building separate sanitation
facilities for both sexes and developing curricula that empower girls and build their
confidence and independence.
Another challenge UNICEF is committed to tackling is maternal health.
UNICEF trains local health workers and mothers to recognize pregnancy
complications improves pregnant woman's nutrition and immunizes them against
deadly diseases like maternal and neonatal tetanus. And for the 1.4 million pregnant
women living with HIV UNICEF works to prevent the transmission of the AIDS virus
to their infants providing them with anti for viral drugs and giving their babies these
life-saving medicines for their first six weeks of life. Babies born to HIV positive
mothers have a 30% chance of contracting the virus while mothers who participate in
the prevention program can lower their baby's risk to 2%.
But girls and women need more than health and education programs gender-
based violence is a worldwide scourge that threatens and devastates and 150 million
girls under 18 have experienced rape or other forms of sexual violence. UNICEF
combats gender-based violence by partnering with frontline responders community
workers and law enforcement to ensure that they understand that women have the
right to protection from violence. UNICEF is also working so that girls and women
who are victims of violence can get help and support in hospitals health centers and
schools without fear of discrimination.
The challenges millions of girls and women face are daunting but in developing
countries all over the world. They are eager to learn grow and take control of their
lives and with the help of UNICEF and its partners their potential is limitless not only
to improve their own lives but to change the world for the better.