This is a 2 page assignment with scholarly articles.  Double-space, 12 Arial Font, use of

This is a 2 page assignment with scholarly articles.  Double-space, 12 Arial Font, use of headings, paragraphs, cover page and bibliography page.  Cover page and bibliography are not part of the 2 page count.  
Please respond to the following questions:In the section of the textbook on religion as a social institution, notice especially the ways religion has been used to rationalize and support  both an unjust status quo and the ways religion has been used to support and promote social change to achieve social justice.   
Heading:  Oppression and Social Inequality of Religious Institutions (A) Based on your own experience, observation, or reading (beyond the course materials in this module), think of an example showing how institutional (or organized) religion has been used to reinforce or perpetuate social inequality through the oppression of an individual or group. How were religious beliefs or practices used to oppress or exploit the individual or group?  You can provide examples we are currently facing in our own political system and the use of religion in politics.  Provide examples to demonstrate critical thinking as you also apply knowledge from the readings.   You must conduct some research and add at leasts two sources strengthening your argument how religion reinforces or perpetuates social inequality.  You must cite within the text and have a bibliography page. 

Heading:  Empowerment or Liberation from Religious Institutions 
(B) Based on your own experience, observation, or reading (beyond the course materials in this module), think of an example showing how organized religion has been a factor in supporting change toward greater social equality or social justice for an individual or group. What particular beliefs or practices helped to support the empowerment or liberation of the individual or group?  Suicide has a long history as being treated as a sinful and diabolical act by Christianity.  However, research is showing how religious practices are trying to demonstrate the act of suicide as a mental health issue rather than an sinful one.  This is an example how religious practice can support empowerment or liberation.  You will need at least 2 scholarly sources strengthening your argument how religion can empower or liberate.  

Heading:  Creating a Case VignetteAs a future social worker, you will be working with a diverse group of individuals.  Everyone has their own belief system and most of these belief systems guide how we problem solve and make decisions.  Using both oppression and empowerment, create a short case scenario showing how a certain population experiences oppression and how, you as a future social worker, can use religion to empower or liberate them.   For example, “A group of  women fleed their country seeking asylum in the United States.  These women fleed fearing for their lives since they became a voice for battered women in their country.  In their religion, research shows ……….  justifying reasons for men to batter or even kill their wives (Enriquez, 2019)  According to Sanchez (2020) an entire community can participate in the beating of a female ……….   The empowerment and liberation part will take some critical thinking how you will use it to empower this population.  Research has shown how biblical teachings are being questioned to help women recognize their rights.  One research study reported, “teaching them their rights lessened their fear” and helped them form a stronger coalition to fight against domestic violence in their country (Enriquez, 2018, p. 182).
In conclusion, explain why this is relevant in social work practice.  If you use a direct quote from an author, you need to include the page number.  If you are paraphrasing, just the name of the author and year is needed.  You will need a total of 4 or 5 research sources for this assignment.  You can use the same research articles to complete the case vignette.