Why have most religions historically banned women from?

Question

holding meaningful or powerful roles within the clergy? After paganism, women appear to have been religated to the back of the bus...

PS.. this is a male asking this question.

If women are "gentler" and men more "aggressive" shouldn't women be active in promoting a loving god through leadership? (in response to shari).

Answer 1

thank goodness this attitude is changing slowly but surely. remember in Ancient Times the Ladies were thought to be second class citizens and were the ones who brought sin into the world since Eve was the one who first ate the Forbidden Fruit and talked Adam into eating it. ( if one looks at the same scenario a little differently Eve -- representing the ladies was the one who brought wisdom and knowledge into the world ). before I moved I went to a Church where we had three Lady Ministers who did as good a job and sometimes actually better than men. should be the ability that counts not the gender.

Answer 2

When you examine religions, you find that they nearly all were founded and organized by men. Most of these have as their practice the attempt to control ones nature so as to be able to rise to the higher state of spiritual being, free of the lower passions. In order to do this, they believe that women must be excluded so they will not rouse the lower sexual passions of the devotees, and thereby lose their way. Of course this puts everyone in conflict with themselves and at odds with half the world's population, but to your question, this male only tradition comes from trying to keep oneself under control. Women are not just on the back of the bus, they have traditionally been met with a keep out sign. Some religions have handled this by women having their own convents or monasteries.

Answer 3

That is just the way it is. Men are supposed to be the leaders. Women are the caretakers. That does not mean that women should be at the back of the bus. You can put your imput in. The two are supposed to blend together to be good together. I like it better that way because that leaves my husband responsible for alot of things with God. Like, is our household being run right, do we all do what we are supposed to do, etc....So we are not being demeaned in any way. That is just nature. Men are the more aggressive ones and women are the gentler people.

Answer 4

Just because women are not clergy does not make them any less important in a church. Women definitely have a place in the church. For many churches, like mine, women are the backbone of the church. Women organize the church activities, such as Sunday school, Christmas celebrations, Easter, outings, etc. There is no way the priest can handle every aspect of the church himself.

Answer 5

14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

Answer 6

I think that it comes from ancient resentment by men that women had such power. And so, in the new religion of the time (Christianity) they relegated women to the back to the point of blatant prejudice.

But, I have no way to prove that. It's just a feeling.

Answer 7

Get out of your feminist mode of thinking and understand that women are not less important than men, but the clergy is the role of men. Sorry, but it's a man's duty. Live with it.

Men don't belong in the kitchen, but that doesn't mean that they're inferior or that they're being relegated to the "back of the bus."

This is 2006 and feminism has proven to not work. Get over it.

I'm expressing this according to my right of Freedom of Speech.

Answer 8

Some people think that the role of women in the Church has been edited -downplayed- over time. Look into gnostic texts, specifically the Gospel of Mary, if you've not done so already.

Answer 9

I don't know why either, but they have and in some religions that still holds true today. I'm sure your question will bring about some very interesting answers though.

Answer 10

Sura - 4 Women (Al-Nesaa')
Order Of Revelation 92, Verses: 176
http://www.submission.org/suras/sura4.htm

http://www.hyahya.org/