discuss Treatment of Women in Religion

[Yama]

Do you think religions treat women unfairly? Do you think religions put men above women? I have read religious books on many religions and based on my reading I have found numerous instances where men are considered superior above women. Generally speaking, religions do not treat women unfairly but based on religious books and practice of religion there are enough evidence that religions are little hard on women.
Note: The purpose of this discussion is not to come with a conclusion but just to let everyone have their opinion on the subject. Therefore, do not offend any particular religion. If your post is found to be offensive, it will be removed.

 

[NatureFreak]

I wouldn't exactly classify it as unfair treatment. More like religions recognize the difference between men and women and treats it as such.

 

[Vilgefortz]

There is a natural difference between men and women. Men tend to be more dominant and have leader qualities while women tend to be more submissive (changed over the years with sociological factors). Christianity, for example, asks from a woman to respect her husband and tend to his needs for he is the head of the household, however it also states that he should respect his wife and treat her good because they have become one flesh. If God didn't like women, he would never give them such amazing power and privilage (bringing life to this Earth). I think that women nowadays due hardcore propaganda are brainwashed into thinking that being mother is something ugly.

 

[Jason]

In the BIble, Jesus seems to be quite pro-Woman, but the apostle Paul does not. Some even think Paul was a false apostle for that and other reasons.

 

[Apsara]

Do we have a woman Pope, a woman Imam, a woman priest, a woman prophet in the last 6-7 thousand years of religious history? I rest my case.

 

[Jason]

There is a battle going on these days between male and female supremacy and both are bad options.

 

[Alamson]

We live in a patriarchal world where men dominate. It has been like that from the beginning. That is why there have been concerted efforts to promote gender equality and it is yielding results. Women are now being exposed to more educational opportunities and they are pursuing different careers like men. More women are being elected into public offices; more are being appointed directors in top companies. They are becoming preachers and carrying out pastoral duties in some christian denominations.

 

[Maina]

I think religion does not treat men and women on the same level, men have superior hands in religion.

 

[Dr. A]

I beg to differ with most of the opinions above. Siting an example of Hinduism, where female deities are portrayed extremely powerful that sometimes male deities have to reconsider their actions. Female in some community in Hinduism are treated with so much respect that you would be surprised. As to why there are no female leaders (prophet, pope or Imam) I think, the reason is related to the fact that females have been physically designed to have menstruation, which is a period in which she is expected to rest. A leadership position may not entertain that plus in many religions a menstruating woman can not participate in many religious rituals. Physically and anatomically, women and men differ and hence their roles too, I think this actually aligns with both scientific and religious reasonings.

 

[Jason]

Women dominating is not a good idea either. That is coming about these days, and it's excused under the banner of "equality".

 

[Fidelia1]

Women are meant to play second fiddle from the context of religion. Most religions already said that women are subordinates to men. That is a clear indicator that such religions don't believe in gender equality and make men superior.

 

[Jason]

Women getting a subordinate position is an excuse for wife-beating etc., in many circumstances. How do people on here feel about that?

 

[jmnganga666]

Women are always viewed in religion as fragile human beings with small minds.
Women are told to be subject to their husbands and listen to everything that they are told like little children.
This should not be the case since it leads to things like women being abused in marriage and not being able to speak up because their religion warns against such behaviour

 

[Kross]

Most religions don't rate women at all. It could be due to the social background of the religion. But I am certain that the three major religions in my country being Christianity, Islam and Traditional religion relegate women completely to roles of subordinates.

 

[Jason]

The Apostle Paul seemed to be anti-woman, but Jesus was very inclusive of women. That gives me the feeling that Paul might have been a false apostle.

 

[lens]

The way women are being treated in many religions is as a result of cultural beliefs or biases. They are definitely not from the religious doctrines itself but they are the result of human interpretation. To be honest, we need to promote inclusivity in religious activities and stop marginalisation.

 

[strongdude]

Most religions don't rate women at all. It could be due to the social background of the religion. But I am certain that the three major religions in my country being Christianity, Islam and Traditional religion relegate women completely to roles of subordinates.

I am a Muslim and my religion of Islam commands us to treat women in a proper manner. Our religion teaches us to respect women and honour them. Our religion does not relegate women to subordinate roles. Allah Almighty has assigned men different roles and he has assigned women different roles. Those roles may seem subordinate to those who may have a shallow mentality. Being a wife who takes care of children and husband is the main role of women. This is not a subordinate role. In fact, it is one of the central role played by women. Feminism has given unnecessary power to women. Unfortunately, many women abuse those powers. And we can clearly see women trying to abuse those powers and trying to dominate men. Feminists talk about gender equality. However, in reality feminism is far away from gender equality. People should understand that women are not angels. Women are also capable of manipulating men and damaging the society. That's a harsh reality many people overlook and support women no matter what. I have met a few women in my life who were poisonous snakes and this is when I realized that some women are also capable of spreading mischief.

 

[Yama]

I beg to differ with most of the opinions above. Siting an example of Hinduism, where female deities are portrayed extremely powerful that sometimes male deities have to reconsider their actions. Female in some community in Hinduism are treated with so much respect that you would be surprised. As to why there are no female leaders (prophet, pope or Imam) I think, the reason is related to the fact that females have been physically designed to have menstruation, which is a period in which she is expected to rest. A leadership position may not entertain that plus in many religions a menstruating woman can not participate in many religious rituals. Physically and anatomically, women and men differ and hence their roles too, I think this actually aligns with both scientific and religious reasonings.

Yes, Hinduism has female deities, but I was not talking about all powerful Goddesses, I was mainly talking about the state of women based on religious doctrine. Hinduism is one of the few major religion in the world where there are Goddesses, that are equivalent and sometimes even more powerful than their male counterparts. However, Hindu society follow a lot of traditions that are discriminatory. There are even a lot of incidents mentioned in the Vedas and Puranas where women were systematically subjugated.

 

[Jason]

You don't see much of women in leadership in churches, but it seems like most of the members are women. So actually, the problem is men in church, not the other thing.

And some men have criticized the modern church as being too feminine. In fact, most manly guys won't step foot in a church, and it's not all because they'd have to quit the heathen behavior (gambling, smoking, drinking, dirty jokes, adultery, whatever).