In this provocative new series, Bettany Hughes tells the stories of the extraordinary women whose legends and lives cast new light on some of the hottest arguments about the role of women in religion today. And drawing on cutting edge scholarship and archaeological evidence, she reveals what her favourite women in religion tell us about the lives of the real flesh and blood women of their day.
- Take part in the latest debate
- Interested in learning more about different religions? Try our Introducing religions course.
Get involved in the debates surrounding women in religion by entering our dedicated Discussion Hub below. Then if you want to learn more, order our free booklet and see what courses you can study with The Open University on religion, including free units in our LearningSpace area, by clicking the links below.
Find out even more about the Divine Women series on the BBC website. If you wish to comment, please visit the Discussion Hub below.
Order your free booklet
Order your free Divine Women booklet
Open University
Order your free 16-page booklet which explores five controversial areas around goddesses and women in religion Read more : Order your free Divine Women booklet
Air your views!
Divine Women: Discussion Hub
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What are your views on the role of women in religion in the past, present and future? Vote in our polls and share your views... Read more : Divine Women: Discussion Hub
Latest episodes
Divine Women: Episode one - When God was a Girl
BBC
Bettany Hughes uncovers evidence women were present at the birth of religion and encounters fearsome goddesses who controlled life and death Read more : Divine Women: Episode one - When God was a Girl
Divine Women: Episode two - Handmaids of the Gods
BBC
In episode two Bettany Hughes uncovers the lost era of the priestess and visits Lesbos, known today for giving us the words sapphic and lesbian Read more : Divine Women: Episode two - Handmaids of the Gods
Divine Women: Episode three - War of the Words
BBC
In the final episode, Bettancy Hughes discovers how the period known as the Dark Ages was in fact a golden age for a few remarkable... Read more : Divine Women: Episode three - War of the Words
Learning links
Introducing religions
Course
The Open University / Karen Parker
This course introduces six major religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism; exploring beliefs, practices, concepts and principles and their influence on world affairs.By... Read more : Introducing religions
MA in Religious Studies
Course
The Open University / Karen Parker
This MA discusses theoretical and methodological issues, utilises case studies of religions in modern Britain and elsewhere, and provides you with appropriate research training. ... Read more : MA in Religious Studies
Religion in history: conflict, conversion and coexistence
Course
The Open University / Karen Parker
Why has religion led to conflict? Is peaceful coexistence possible? Explore perennially fascinating questions, gaining a better understanding of contemporary problems through a historical perspective.This... Read more : Religion in history: conflict, conversion and coexistence
Introducing the philosophy of religion
Learning Space 
Used with permission
In this unit Timothy Chappell, Professor of Philosophy, asks what the words 'God' and 'religion' mean, and what it means to ask philosophical questions about... Read more : Introducing the philosophy of religion
Study unit: Studying religion
mrpattersonsir under CC-BY
Try this unit where you'll explore key concepts and methods of Religious Studies Read more : Study unit: Studying religion
Study unit: Religion today
Seelenpfluecker via Dreamstime.com under subscription
Try this unit which looks at the role of religion in shaping ideas, world-views and actions that have an impact on individuals Read more : Study unit: Religion today
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