rs 275 good paper examples

Barstow and Stuckey both used the prehistoric mother goddess to explain the role of women in Neolithic societies. Barstow drew on the idea of fertility cults, and stated that women were worshipped and powerful because of their role in motherhood and in agriculture (they were seen as “in control” of those things) (Barstow, “The Prehistoric Goddess™). Stuckey, however, held the opposite view and believes that with the introduction of agriculture, women grew weak and that their ability to have children made them weak as well- they were seen as valuable to men only for their body (Stuckey, “Ancient Mother Goddess and Fertility Cults”). It follows that the story of Gilgamesh and Ishtar supports Stuckey’s conclusions in that it portrays women as weak and needy, which not only supports Stuckey, but greatly opposes Barstow as well (Babylonian Myths). The idea of the mother goddess has continued into contemporary times and contemporary traditions. Contemporary goddess traditions have relied on the image of the prehistoric mother goddess for their development in that they see the idea of the mother goddess as an alternative to the patriarchy, as proof that we can live in a society that is not a patriarchy and thrive and be functional. And according to Carol Christ, even if the mother goddess never actually existed, we must still hold on to the idea of her as a symbol of hope (Griffin, Her Voice Her Faith Chapter