title: Aspects of Mary Wollstonecraft's Religious Thought

authors: Morgan, Suzanne Melissa

subjects: Religion

abstract: The works of Mary Wollstonecraft have been largely utilized in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries within the domain of feminist studies.  They were influential throughout the 'feminist movement' of the 1960s and 1970s and Wollstonecraft is routinely given the title of 'mother' of feminism.  One result of her works being classified as important feminist texts is the elision of the religious element in her works.  Moreover, recent scholarship has drawn attention to the central importance of religion in eighteenth century British discourse.  This thesis will primarily argue that Wollstonecraft was heavily influenced by religion, and that her writings were conceived in response to a profoundly theologico-political culture.  This influence of religion has generally been overlooked by researchers and this thesis will aim to redress this absence.

Four of Wollstonecraft's works - all produced within a 'similar' political climate and within a concise time period - are utilized to show that religion was a foundational element within Wollstonecraft's thought and arguments.  This thesis shows that Wollstonecraft was not so much a 'feminist' thinker, but a unique intellectual determined to show that the inferior position of women went against 'God's will', teachings and the equality He had ascribed to both men and women during Creation.

text: Aspects of Mary Wollstonecraft's Religious Thought The works of Mary Wollstonecraft have been largely utilized in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries within the domain of feminist studies.  They were influential throughout the 'feminist movement' of the 1960s and 1970s and Wollstonecraft is routinely given the title of 'mother' of feminism.  One result of her works being classified as important feminist texts is the elision of the religious element in her works.  Moreover, recent scholarship has drawn attention to the central importance of religion in eighteenth century British discourse.  This thesis will primarily argue that Wollstonecraft was heavily influenced by religion, and that her writings were conceived in response to a profoundly theologico-political culture.  This influence of religion has generally been overlooked by researchers and this thesis will aim to redress this absence.

Four of Wollstonecraft's works - all produced within a 'similar' political climate and within a concise time period - are utilized to show that religion was a foundational element within Wollstonecraft's thought and arguments.  This thesis shows that Wollstonecraft was not so much a 'feminist' thinker, but a unique intellectual determined to show that the inferior position of women went against 'God's will', teachings and the equality He had ascribed to both men and women during Creation.

year: 2007

title: Charitable trusts and political purposes: Law on the edge of change in Australasia

authors: Chevalier-Watts, Juliet

abstract: Historically a trust will be denied charitable status if its purposes are political, although this principle is fraught with difficulties because of the complex relationship between politics and charities. New Zealand has traditionally followed the jurisprudence of England and Wales, which determines that political trusts should be interpreted relatively widely so catching a broad section of trusts, thus excluding them from achieving charitable status. Australian jurisprudence however has displayed more reticence in its full acceptance of the political trust doctrine. Instead it has adopted a more narrow interpretation, so trusts that may fall foul of the doctrine in England and Wales and New Zealand, might successfully obtain charitable status in Australia. Then with the decision of the Australian High Court decision of Aid/Watch v Commissioner of Taxation, Australia finally departed from the jurisprudence of New Zealand and England and Wales. This article explores the Antipodean jurisdictions and critically considers Australia's significant jurisprudential shift regarding charitable trusts and political activity and whether New Zealand is on the edge of an equal change to charitable trust law.

text: Charitable trusts and political purposes: Law on the edge of change in Australasia Historically a trust will be denied charitable status if its purposes are political, although this principle is fraught with difficulties because of the complex relationship between politics and charities. New Zealand has traditionally followed the jurisprudence of England and Wales, which determines that political trusts should be interpreted relatively widely so catching a broad section of trusts, thus excluding them from achieving charitable status. Australian jurisprudence however has displayed more reticence in its full acceptance of the political trust doctrine. Instead it has adopted a more narrow interpretation, so trusts that may fall foul of the doctrine in England and Wales and New Zealand, might successfully obtain charitable status in Australia. Then with the decision of the Australian High Court decision of Aid/Watch v Commissioner of Taxation, Australia finally departed from the jurisprudence of New Zealand and England and Wales. This article explores the Antipodean jurisdictions and critically considers Australia's significant jurisprudential shift regarding charitable trusts and political activity and whether New Zealand is on the edge of an equal change to charitable trust law.

year: 2013

title: The environmental and social impact of Kaivolution's services

authors: Paymani, Kesian Serous

subjects: food insecurity

abstract: Food insecurity and food waste are two significant issues within New Zealand. In order to address these two issues organisations like Kaivolution rescue and redistribute food to community groups who help those in need. Kaivolution rescues edible food from food retailers that would otherwise be thrown away, and redistributes this rescued food to community groups who assist whanau who are food insecure. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the social and environmental impact of Kaivolution’s food redistribution service. Three of Kaivolution’s stakeholders were chosen to participate; Kaivolution volunteers, community groups who receive the rescued food, and whanau who receive the food from the community groups. Semi-structured interviews were used in order to gather data. The key findings showed that for Kaivolution volunteers there was an increase in awareness of social issues like poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness. The findings also showed that the participants volunteering with Kaivolution had increased feelings of belonging, and increased social networks, both contributing to a heightened sense of wellbeing. The key findings from both the community groups and the whanau had significant overlap. Key findings from these participants illustrated how the process of colonisation has negatively impacted Māori who are more prone to food insecurity within Aotearoa. Other groups vulnerable to food insecurity included university students and children from various ethnicities. The findings also highlight the failings of our current social welfare system to provide enough resources for basic living. Community groups often step in to assist food insecure whanau in a culturally and social sensitive community approach to food redistribution. Such an approach promotes a sense of community, builds social relationships, and enhances whanau sense of self-worth and belonging.

text: The environmental and social impact of Kaivolution's services Food insecurity and food waste are two significant issues within New Zealand. In order to address these two issues organisations like Kaivolution rescue and redistribute food to community groups who help those in need. Kaivolution rescues edible food from food retailers that would otherwise be thrown away, and redistributes this rescued food to community groups who assist whanau who are food insecure. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the social and environmental impact of Kaivolution’s food redistribution service. Three of Kaivolution’s stakeholders were chosen to participate; Kaivolution volunteers, community groups who receive the rescued food, and whanau who receive the food from the community groups. Semi-structured interviews were used in order to gather data. The key findings showed that for Kaivolution volunteers there was an increase in awareness of social issues like poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness. The findings also showed that the participants volunteering with Kaivolution had increased feelings of belonging, and increased social networks, both contributing to a heightened sense of wellbeing. The key findings from both the community groups and the whanau had significant overlap. Key findings from these participants illustrated how the process of colonisation has negatively impacted Māori who are more prone to food insecurity within Aotearoa. Other groups vulnerable to food insecurity included university students and children from various ethnicities. The findings also highlight the failings of our current social welfare system to provide enough resources for basic living. Community groups often step in to assist food insecure whanau in a culturally and social sensitive community approach to food redistribution. Such an approach promotes a sense of community, builds social relationships, and enhances whanau sense of self-worth and belonging.

year: 2019