Women and Religion
Throught history, around the globe, women have had a unique place in religion, often at the bottom. Religion has been used to further subjugate women. Other religions have placed women at the forefront of the clergy.
This is a thread to discuss the role of women in relgion, religion's role in women, and the relation between the two.
Actually, the Bible states that death is through Adam, not Eve. They are considered equally guilty by Biblical standards. Samson is also equally guilty, if not more guilty by Biblical standards as Delilah in that story. Men are responsible for the mass majority of evil in the Bible, Ahab, Omri, Ramses, Haman, Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, the Pharisees, etc. Women are commended on many occasions:
Deborah as one of the greatest leaders (judges) of Israel before the kingdom was established, Moses's mother, the Egyptian princess, Moses's sister, Rahab (I think, just going off the top of my head) at the fall of Jericho, Esther, the prostitute in the NT, the Canaanite women by Jesus in the NT, Mary (mother of Jesus), the deaconesses by Paul, Beth-Sheba is considered innocent of iniquity in the account of David while David is held completely responsible, etc.
The only women considered truly evil in the Bible are Jezebel (truly horrific), Delilah, Job's wife, and the sin of Eve is up there as well although she was obviously forgiven.
Women are obviously secondary to men in the Bible which is both cultural and religious, but fairness exists and is evidenced by the rulership of Deborah and the fact that a woman was chosen to birth salvation into the world.
I can't speak for the OT, but in the New Testament, I don't think women are treated especially unfairly. Well, outside of the Pastorals.
To give a specific example of a woman being spoken of highly, "Greet Andronicus and Junia my relatives who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was."
In the Greco-Roman world (which defined much of the Character of Palestine), women were always regarded as more pious then men. They were the gaurdians of the state, religion, and morals.
However, that is not to be confused with a "high" or "equal" or even close to equal position in society. Just becuase women have a role in society, doesn't mean it is a prominent one. Women were regarded as irrational and overly emotional, unable to make decisions, and untrustworthy.
Which is not true in the Bible. Women are in many prominent positions and shown to be very effective. Deborah was one of the top three judges in Israel (the best in my opinion) and Esther was able to save the entire Jewish people in the Persian kingdom. Samuel's mother was the one that made the decision that Samuel would be raised in the Temple and her prayer to God is considered one of the model prayers in the Bible.
Originally posted by Alfheim
The Celts were ahead of their time in terms of womens rights I might post an article later.
Very much so.
Originally posted by Alliance
Throught history, around the globe, women have had a unique place in religion, often at the bottom. Religion has been used to further subjugate women. Other religions have placed women at the forefront of the clergy.This is a thread to discuss the role of women in relgion, religion's role in women, and the relation between the two.
I disagree. I also disagree that all religion was opressive of women throughout history.
Perhaps in Abrahamic religious history?
Not sure about the Jewish women and their roles.
Anyway, here are some examples -
Quote on Persian women (thanks wiki) -
We venerate the righteous woman who is good in thoughts, words, and deeds, who is well-educated, is an authority on religious affairs, is progressively serene, and is like the women who belong to the Wise God. (Gathas - Aiwisruthrem Gah 9)
Zoroastrians also considered absolute equality between the two sexes.
Buddhism considers absolute equality between the two sexes.
Celts recognised women as equals.
If we look at the Egyptian women, they too had freedom within religion, and society like no other women at the time.
I found a quote on it here, which is not in regards to religion per se but its interesting in regards to society -
...but the Egyptians themselves, in most of their manners and customs, exactly the reverse the common practices of mankind. For example, the women attend the markets and trade, while the men sit at home and weave at the loom... The women likewise carry burdens upon their shoulders while the men carry them upon their heads... Sons need not support their parents unless they chose, but daughters must, whether they chose to or not.
-- The History of Herodotus Book II, Herodotus
Originally posted by Tangible God
A woman's responsible for original sin. A woman cuts Samson's coif of power. A woman asks for the head of John the Baptist. The Bible portrays women as bigger antagonists than the Romans and Egyptians combined. It stinks.
Before Christianity many pagan religions had "Woman" as the spiritual leader being one that could create within herself. Woman were thought very highly of. The Old Testament also had many Priestesses and Judges that were woman. Woman seem to have an intuitive sense in some things that they can access. Maybe this is why.
With all the religions talking about women as a subject in its own right, it implies that religion is thought of those who think a lot about women, IE men. So since religion is generally a man thing, and women just tend to follow, it shows men's dominance.
In simple terms, religion has shown that men own women.
Originally posted by lord xyz
With all the religions talking about women as a subject in its own right, it implies that religion is thought of those who think a lot about women, IE men. So since religion is generally a man thing, and women just tend to follow, it shows men's dominance.In simple terms, religion has shown that men own women.
Your logic is flawed. 🙄