Why are women second class citizens in most religions?

Question

and yet they usually take it

Answer 1

the bible states that woman should be subservient to man since she was created for him and due to her temptation of original sin

Answer 2

Religions make all people second class citizens. Some religions relegate women to an even lower status. Just shows how bad religions are.

Answer 3

Because when we changed from nomadic hunters, where men were out all day and the woman ruled the home, to farmers men exerted themselves over the woman's rule of the home. Naturally that transferred to the faith. Sadly most religions still feel that way and it will be hard for them to chance now since that is the core of may of their workings.

Fortunately not all religions treat women that way (Wicca for one) and the pendulum has started to swing back to a balance in society. And I am happy to say that a lot of the religions that treat women that way are starting to fade or reform.

Answer 4

A lot of denominations take scripture in the bible and make it fit their views in life. As in obtaining dominance over women. But most of the scripture was for that time and in that particular instance, as in Corinth where women were told to keep silent in church. But actually God is no respecter of persons. Most women would be glad for a Godly man because they would love their wives as their own flesh and they would let the husband lead the household because that is how nature and God planned it.

Answer 5

Actually, the artifacts dug up shows women were the religion at first... Mother Earth and the Miracle of Life. When the concept of "property" came up women fell off that lofty pedestal.

Answer 6

Teachings being misapplied is one reason.

We are to love and honor our wives, and have love and respect for the other women in our lives.

There is difference between being head of household, and being domineering. To many men erase that line. But the women that take it, or somehow corrects the situation without sinning themselves will be rewarded. Man or women, keep up with your half of the marriage agreement and God will see it. Don't keep up with it, he will see that also.

Answer 7

Its not so in Hinduism --

We worship Shiva and shakti - Ardha Nareeshwara, equal importance for men and Women
We worship Saraswati - as mother of Knowledge

Major hindu gods are

Male Female
Brahma - Saraswati couple
Vishnu - Lakshmi couple
Shiva - Shakthi or Parvati couple

Answer 8

This topic is quite contentious...and after reading most of the responses I wonder whether people are still in the dark ages...

Personally its because whoever made the early interpretations of a particular religion believed in patriarchy and women's weaknesses (they couldnt fight in the kind of warfare they practiced then, their biological roles constrained them somewhat or whatever...). Its up to the individual whether to change that interpretation or to keep up to it.

Answer 9

I don't know. However, from their perspective, maybe they don't feel like second class citizens. I've heard of stranger things. Can't say that I've spent a lot of time exploring the subject.

Answer 10

i dont know about other religions but islam definitely gives a very high respect to women. it was only islam who introduced the maximum rights for women in a society. islam gave her respect, right of re-marrying if she is widow or divorced, give her rights in property, made education compulsary for all men and women. Quran says "heavens is under your mother's feet." by saying this, islam puts her on the highest rank.

Answer 11

cause the ranking of human beings in religions follows the believe in something like a natural justice, constituted by god, which seems to be proved in consideration of the general physical inferiority of women.