A question for religious women?

Question

I have never understood why women accept Christianity, Islam, Judaism and other religions that say that women are less than men - why do you?

I don't believe in seperate but equal roles or "spheres" - "seperate but equal is inherently inequal"

The Bible, Quran, Torah, etc were written by men for men

Answer 1

I have wondered that myself. It's really sad that women today believe they are lesser than men.

Answer 2

In my religion which is Asatru, women and men are equal. The Goddesses are just as valuable and as honored as the Gods, and both genders have their roles and their places.

The spiritual teachings of those religions themselves do not belittle women, it is the institutions of the religions that have adopted those teachings who have misinterpreted them and put them into practice, and the women who were raised in those religions believe they are the norm cause that's all they have ever known.

Women are not belittled in Judiasm. Women are entirely equal. While the man works and brings home the income, the woman is the spiritual center and spiritual leader of her home. G-d is seen as being all genders/no gender, and both men and women were made in G_d's image so neither one holds a place above the other.

Christianity, it varies. Like someone said in Catholicism there are many female saints who are revered, most notably the Virgin Mary. The Protestant religions...well, maybe they are a bit less female friendly.

Islam, again it varies. I don't know a lot about them so I'll leave it to the people who do.

But again, it isn't the spiritual teachings themselves that place women as being inferior to men it's the institutions and the men who run those institutions. If people actually read these texts for themselves they'd see that what those texts say and what the institutions teach are two different things entirely.

Answer 3

After I read for myself, I don't find that the actual writings in the Bible say that women are less than men. It's just some churches and people that have funny attitudes.
There's lots of confusion and frustration in our "modern" times because many men and women grew up learning to suppress their natural femininity or masculinity.
There are differences between men and women and we need to have the freedom to live out those differences instead of despising them..BUT all has to be based on true love and respect. Love is not trying to control the other. If theres freedom and trust, both parts would want to meet the others need.
If a man acts unkind and disrespect his wife , he's not really doing what the Bibel tells him; loving and protecting.
And if a woman makes a riot and feels "intimitated" if she don't always do all the same practical things as her husband, I think that she's kind of immature.

Answer 4

Catholic Christianity does not say that women are less than men. True, the Bible was written in a time and culture where a woman's place and value were extremely overshadowed by men, but that doesn't mean we haven't changed our minds. Scripture is a starting place for religion - theological thought is based as much on understanding, logic, and experience. And iIf you read the Gospel of Luke, you will find an inordinate number of positive references to women, given the time.

There are a lot of inequalities in the Catholic church today... and the funny thing is that in the states, there are a huge number of churches that are run by women in all aspects except for the sacramental life (which is the realm of priests). We just keep working for change - someday the Vatican will wake up. I choose to remain in the Catholic church because even with its flaws, it is the theology that best clicks for me. I don't, however, just accept the status quo. I read, I study, I question, I educate, and I work for change while being open to new and conflicting ideas.

Answer 5

Men and women share lots of similarities, but they are still different. They are different physically, chemically, psychologically, and socially. To say they are 100% same is a false statement. Do men menstruate? Do women have to shave a beard? Of course not. Women are more compassionate than men, but there are exceptions to this rule. Men are less fearful than women, but there are exceptions to this rule. Women and men are separate but equal, so why should they not have separate but equal roles in religion? They are different but have equity, each is valued the same in the eyes of God.

In my religion, the Baha'i Faith, women cannot take a life, nor can they have an occupation where they may take a life. For example, no women in combat. That's pretty much the only thing they cannot do, other than that they are equal with men. Actually, the station of women in the Baha'i Faith is SO LOFTY, that they can't take lives. They are life-giving creatures, so taking a life is far beneath them.

In the Baha'i Faith, we don't have to obey our husbands either. One ouf our strong principles is consultation, meaning two or more gathering and discussing and praying about something when a decision has to be made. Humble consultation and cooperation, no traditional obedience is needed.

Answer 6

Men and women are different in every way, so to start off with we are not fundementally equal. We are equal as people in substance and in nature. You mentioned roles,there must to roles or you have kaos. The Bible specifically never says the man is BETTER then the woman, but yes through culture and society the way we function creates a difference. The Bible Says something real kool, and I quote,"The man is the head of the woman , just as God is the head of Christ." The point is that Jesus and God are equal in substance , but theyare seperate "persons" with unique roles. But you are right about one thing. Many take religion as use it to surpress woman in an unnatural way. Many woman choose receive Christianity into their lives for the same reason men do, because they believe ithey are living out their lives in a God ordained way. Islam is another story that I coose not to speak on.

Answer 7

Really? Prior to "captain" Noah women were a compleat mate (Look the spelling/def. up ) Afterwards what with all the wars killing males that could write (Schools thru puberty , soldiers after) women were Protected by males as loved ones( and the producers of replacement heirs). Legal systems faltered due to every male under the conquerors blade suspected as a threat! History written by aged and wounded old soldiers very often after a battle. Not exactly the most truthful resource. Woman less than men was a lie the first time it was told( by a criminal mind no doubt) Courtesy between two humans should never mean one is weaker. . .just favored!

Answer 8

The Catholic faith does not say and never did think of women as being lesser than men. Women are considered different but equal with different roles. The Catholic Church has raised up many outstanding women such as Saint Teresa of Avila to "Doctor of the Church." Men are given the role to lead because all of society needs leaders. Women are nurturers and are to be respected and cherished by their husbands. That's the way the Catholic church views things. I'm a woman and Catholic....that's the Catechism I've learned.

Answer 9

In Christianity, women are not less than men. God made us to help men. The Bible was written for everyone. If we work together, you have a role, and I have a separate role in the company, it doesn't make either of us better than the other. Of course you can be separate and equal.

Answer 10

Women are not to be the head of the house. Thats a mans role. But a man should listen to the woman sometimes cause I think women are more spiritual sometimes than men. A marriage should be each giving 100%. But God never called a woman to lead the home. I know in some cases there is only one parent in a home, well that makes the woman the leader of her home. For a woman not to be the head of her home does not be little her.

Answer 11

Good question.

And it's a question that I've grappled with throughout my life. My parents are both very liberal, socially, and yet Roman Catholic. I don't go to church any longer, but I often wish that I would take the initiative and go. What stops me is what I feel is an indirect contradiction of how I believe God to be, as opposed to organized religion. I have found one pastor whose beliefs are almost 100% with mine, but he is now retiring. Luckily, this is the pastor that we had marry us, and had the pleasure of going through our pre-marrital counseling.

My problem is that many churches are not able to look at the Bible and say "What would God do today?" or "What would Jesus do today?" Instead, they apply old interpretations of the philosophies, rather than taking a chance at looking for something new within the religion. (This isn't every church, but I've only come across the one pastor that is willing to do this in my area.)

And I can say that I've come to an educated and spirtitual decision, as I've read the Bible both for religious purposes AND critical purposes (can't get away with it when you have your BA in English Literature).

So, for the time being, I am comfortable with believing that God understands that I cannot adhere to principles that I believe to be justly wrong, and that he knows I follow Him to my best ability.