Why are "most" religions sexist, whether against women or men?

Question

sexism: 1. Discrimination based on gender, especially discrimination against women.
2. Attitudes, conditions, or behaviors that promote stereotyping of social roles based on gender.

Answer 1

Let's start with a bit of sociology shall we?

In the beginning, when everyone was a pagan and men and women were hunters and gatherers, the woman's status in society was equal to that of a man. Men hunted, while women gathered and took care of the children, both bringing in an equal source of food and contributing to the local economy of the tribe. Thus, the emergence of goddesses as well as gods proved that at one point, women were on equal level as men and that the female essence is just as important as the male.

However, then came the emergence of agricultural societies that were sedentary (in one place as opposed to the nomadic hunters and gatherers) and the roles of men and women changed (and so did their view of religion and the status of men and women). Women stayed at home and took care of the children while men worked out in the field and thus did not have an impact on the economy of the entire village. They contributed nothing and became an asset to men who virtually owned them by that time. Thus, the emergence of monotheism and the destruction of the belief in goddesses. Women were no longer equal and the female essence was seen as an evil temptress set to capture the hearts of men.

Fortunately, with the secularization of society, women have started to regain their status by contributing to the overall economy and being an asset to society and not only to their husbands.

I know few religions that are against men (besides the religion of the Amazon women).

Answer 2

Most religions are quite old and originated in in societies where women were second class citizens. It is about time we have a new religion formed, but all we need is another religion to fuel the fire with the ones we already have.

Those people that do see the injustice and the gender bias usually have problems with the literal interpretation of the text. The lean more toward the spirituality and less toward the fundamentalism. Since the heads of the church were male. It was in their favor to subjugate women. The conflicts we see with the middle east, fundamentalism of any religion against the fundamentalist of another are what generate the troubling times we have.

Answer 3

There is nothing like that going on in religion. That is just an attitude that you developed against religions.God made man different than women. God made man the leader of their house hold. Woman was made second,and to be a help mate for man. That is what God intended to do and He did it. People today with their stupid ideas of equal rights try to change the nature way of what God intended all along. No sexism here, just obeying the word of God.

Genesis 2:Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

Answer 4

It's not all religions generally. It's usually the society that traps people into a niche and people learn from their own families to become a stereotype so people grow up into stereotypes.
Some parts of Christianity when I studied it seem to trap some women but otherwise I thinks it's usually society that discriminates.
Islam is very liberating for both parties and gives both sides equal rights, despite what many think. I have cousins who are muslim female and they always say they feel very liberated. They can work, do as they please (as much as any man can) and they feel happy.
These days, sexism happens outside religion all the time. You can't just blame religion.

Answer 5

As for the ones who are sexist against women, it's because those religions were set up in institutions created by men in power who were taught by someone that women were inferior.

The only religion I know of that is sexist towards men is Dianic witchcraft, a religion that worships a Goddess and ignores the male principle totally. It was created by radical feminists as a reactionary religion, a slight towards the males they felt were repressing them.

Personally I think it's all a load of bull. Neither gender is better nor worse than the other.

Answer 6

Now you see the fallacy of following any particular religion?
Faith, beliefs and the whole nine yards. It is all written several centuries ago. It does not fit today's society.

Moral? Do not follow ANY religion. Just concentrate on a superpower - the one you can see and touch - Earth, wind, fire, sun. Be spiritual, not religious.

This way is more intelligent than going about someone saying something about someone who said to someone and went about writing that in a book. After all, it was written by a human. It is not perfect. It is total waste of time to follow any of these.

Just get a grip on life and use your grey matter. Think for yourself.

Answer 7

Hard to answer without offending, but all of us has a certain position and responsibility in front of God.

Men should respect and hold in high regard what God requires of women.
They should deeply love their women for what they can do.
As Proverbs put it:
Pro 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
Sad to say, that is not always the case.

Anyway-------------Where are men victims of discrimination based on gender in a religious setting?

Answer 8

Because, for everything there is out there, there is a person or group who will use that thing for their own interests.
I'm a Christian, and the only denomination I have found that isn't sexist against women is Free Methodist. I've heard that Weslyan is also similar. Unfortunately, people have taken things from the Bible and twisted their context to suit an agenda. God created mena and women different, but neither is less in His eyes or slave to the other.

Answer 9

the reason for this is that many of these religions started during a time when men were considered vastly superior to women. This was then translated into the bible, koran, torah, etc. Any man who follows the religious texts is brought up believing men are superior to women. Furthermore, many women following the religious texts are brought up believing they should respect the man and treat him as a the king of the household. (father, brother, husband, etc.)

It's this kind of ignorant thinking that makes me glad to be an atheist.

Answer 10

What makes you believe that most religions are sexist?

Many religions appear sexist because they are born in a culture that discriminates against one gender, usually women. That does not mean that the religion itself is sexist.

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, MALE NOR FEMALE, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." - Galations 3:28 (added emphasis by me) That's true Christianity.