Gross And Spretnek's Analysis

Throughout most of documented history women of all cultures and civilizations have lived under patriarchal circumstances. In almost every religion and civilization women's status was not equal to that of a man's. Women in most cultures are looked at as subservient, obedient creatures that were put on this world for very few reasons, mainly to bear children and do what their husbands require of them. In fact, religions are a big part of the reason of this oppression due to the religion's reinforcement and justification of patriarchal conditions. In this week's selected readings from different aspects of Islamic, Byzantine Christian, and Western Christian cultures, it is very apparent as to how these three religions did reinforce and

Historically, “Women and Gender in Islam” discusses the social, political, legal, and religious discourses and structures that have shaped the experience of Muslim women

Two forces which gathered strength in the last half of the twentieth century now dominate the world religions at the beginning of the twenty-first century. The first is the globalization of religions and their resulting encounter with each other, and the second is the need to redefine attitudes toward gender as women have stepped forward to insist that their full humanity be acknowledged in the religious as well as the social realm.

Throughout centuries of human existence, women have been deemed as inferior to men in multiple different cultures and religions. Men have developed a norm to be the individual who carries out duties to help maintain a stable life for himself and the family in which he is providing for. Because of this fundamentalist approach towards how society should be, women’s rights have been suppressed throughout political, social, and cultural actions. The Islamic religion in particular, is fond of abusing the rights of women and empowering the rights of men in such a way that it has created a permanent existence of conflict within countries who follow Islam. In fact, in the Quran it states that women must have lesser authority than men, therefore their

Yet inequalities may not be the case for women in more westernized nations as they receive greater freedom (60). This is where the great diversity between modernist Muslim’s and conservative Muslim’s come in. Modernist Muslims argue genuine Islam is compatible with modern west society and political ideas such as democracy and the equality of women. The views of women in society are supported by revelations of the prophet Mohammed. On the other hand we have conservative Muslims where they believe in

In all areas of life and society the treatment and well being of women have always been challenged. In many religions the role and status of its women are usually overwhelmed by the actions and roles of its men this inequality of religions between male and female allows these feelings and ideology of which sex is superior or inferior to bleed into a society’s culture thus shaping their treatment of their men and women.

There are many political, religious, and cultural factors that shape the lives of Islamic women many of them are completely different than factors in the lives of American women. Islam is one of the world’s fastest growing religions; however, Brooks argues that “Islam’s holiest texts have been misused to justify the repression of women, and how male pride and power have warped the original message of this once liberating faith.” The book also shows these factors have slowly been taking away women’s rights, rather than furthering them.

Islam and Daoism are influential forms of thought that serve as the focal point of their respective cultures, influencing social interactions within their religious following. From an analysis of both holy and secular literature involving rules concerning marriage, an understanding of the cultures structuring can be derived as well as the degree to which each values femininity and masculinity. While neither of the forms of thought can truly be said to be egalitarian, women in Islamic cultures enjoyed a greater degree of agency in relation to their Daoist counterparts. This implicates that Islam has developed a culture that places a greater social value upon femininity in relation to Daoism. The Daoist perspective paints a much bleak

Ever since the creation of man, the male sex has dominated historic social-sexual hierarchies. In humankind’s creation according to the bible, women (Eve) sinned by misbehaving towards her lord and savior. As Islam is heavily based on Christianity, did this ideology develop this stigma toward women in society? Do societies follow one another in their way of thinking? Delving deep into historic texts such as Ban Zhao’s Lessons for Women, The Laws of Manu, The Code of Hammurabi and a collection of songs from Buddhist nuns may provide insight into these questions.

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Religion goes hand in hand with culture, and in the Muslim countries this is very apparent. The cultural importance of men over women may have stemmed from religion, however it was further recognized when imperialist countries introduced capitalism and class divides. “Islam must combat the wrenching impact of alien forces whose influence in economic, political, and cultural permutations continues to prevail” (Stowasser 1994, 5). Now, instead of an agrarian state where both men and women had their place, difficulties have formed due to the rise in education and awareness that women can and do have a place in society beyond domestic living Though women are not equal to men anywhere around the

Woman is the greatest masterpiece created by God to accompany man in all equality. The complexity and the way of thinking of a woman has always fascinated men throughout the ages. But unfortunately, for centuries, women became underestimated and despised by men. Having no education, they were limited in all their activities. By examining closely the portrait of the woman in religion. Precisely in the Koran and in the Bible, it is clear that the Koran is misogynist compared to the Bible. In the Koran, women are not equal to men, they are not valued as they should be and they are portrayed as sexual objects.

Religion is a major cornerstone of human identity and culture. Anywhere you look on earth where there are people, there is a religion or set of beliefs that those people follow. Many times, the teaching of these Religions can be twisted and manipulated to justify gender bias. The Simple truth is people are treated very differently based on their Gender by followers of two of the most popular religions in the world: Islam and Judaism. I am going to examine some ways the teaching of these two major religions are used to oppress, abuse, and differentiate women.

Saba Mahmood is a well-known author with a string of books in her name and is currently a renowned associate professor of socio-cultural anthropology who has been awarded with several awards for her fellowship and research in Middle Eastern studies. In her research, she primarily focuses on the relationship between religious and secular politics in post-colonial societies integrating issues of sovereignty, subject formation, law, gender and sexuality. Feminist theories have been explored in different perspectives with discrimination by class distinctions, race, sexual differences and nationality. In Saba Mahmood's Politics of Piety: The Islamic Revival and The Feminist Subject, the author explores the different issues and complexities of Muslim women related to their identities. She further examines the feminist theory in relation to the urban women's mosque movement in relation to the feminist theory. In my review, I will analyze and evaluate the ethnography through a brief summary and a critical insight into the feminist theory that evaluates the complex relationship between

These issues have also escalated in religion. Religiously inspired gender inequality is usually manifested through the privileges and opportunities which are granted based on an individual’s gender. Specifically, gender inequality has been made apparent in religion through the gendered institutions, gendered identities, gendered interactions, and gender ideologies. Patriarchal church leaderships are clear signs of how deep gender inequality has been integrated into religion (Shepard 413). Women are given less leadership roles compared to men, and sometimes are not even considered at all in any decision making process. Such acts are clear indicators of how gender inequality is negatively affecting the society. Actually, it is quite saddening that even the most respected aspects of the society (such as religion) are participating in these ‘tainted’ acts. Religion is meant to enforce religious-based norms and morals, and in fact, it should be rock-steady in the fight against gender equality.