Women and Religion Essay

Since the Christian religion was a large and prominent force in the everyday life in the average person in the 17th and 18th century, the Bible was a large influence in how the woman was seen in society as it says, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church…” (Ephesians 5:22-23, 33). The Bible is that the woman was ruled by her husband, that she didn’t even have her own head, and cannot think for herself because it was expected by the very faith that she must submit to her husband. The Holy Book also says that the woman was created from the rib of the man, which it is known now as completely preposterous, so it implies that the woman is inferior to man because she was created from man, because heaven forbid that any evidence point towards that it is man that came from a woman.

The stories told about women in the bible illustrate the importance of their role and contribution to society. Although the Bible does not explain God’s relationship with women as with Moses and other prophets, it illustrates love and devotion women had for Him. The stories of the bible describe brave, nurturing, and God fearing women whose decisions impacted the existence of the Israelites.

Women have been oppressed in many religions such as, Catholic, Christianity, and Muslim. Women are viewed as less than men. They are not allowed to express themselves or have control over their own life. In the Catholic religion they believe women should not be allowed to have abortions. They are saying that Women should not have control over their body.

Founded by Abraham and Moses, Judaism is almost 4,000 years old and is based on the Jewish people’s covenant relationship with God. In the traditional Judaism belief, women are viewed as separate but equal to their male counterparts. In other words, although within the religion, women live under heavier restrictions regarding their responsibilities and obligations, their roles are just as important as those of the men. In the Orthodox Jewish religion, women are expected to stay at home and take care of the house and children. They are exempted from all positive mitzvoth that are time –related, because the women’s duties as wife and mother are so

“The women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church” ( BibleGateway).    

Thousands of years ago, the Goddess was viewed as an autonomous entity worthy of respect from men and women alike. Because of societal changes caused by Eastern influence, a patriarchial system conquered all aspects of life including religion. “Furthermore, most feminists interested in goddesses are women who strongly reject western patriarchal theology”(Culpepper 51). Thus, there was this very strong feminist idea of women being the prime in the early part of the 17th and the 18th century.

     Since the beginning of the Jewish religion, women have had what seems to be a marginalized role that encompasses almost every facet of life. In many cases within the body of Jewish texts, clear misogynist statements and commentary are made dealing with every aspect of what it means to be female. Within the Orthodox

The question of the ordination of women to the priesthood has moved to the forefront of theological controversy in recent years, prompting a swamping of books, and religious opinions. This controversial issue stems not only from the renewed interest of the Catholic Church in the nature of its priesthood, but also, and perhaps predominantly, from the efforts of women to achieve a new and deeper understanding of their religion. The question, should women be ordained as ministers in the church immediately implies many questions. What difference could female priests make to the church? Did Jesus allow for women to be priests? What has been the result of many centuries of male priesthood?

Traditionally, Christianity has given men the position of authority in marriage, society, and government. The Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, and many conservative Protestant denominations emphasize today that only men can be ordained – as priests, clergy, and as deacons. Even though women are not seen as traditional leaders in the church, the majority of Christians have immense respect for women. After all, God chose a woman, Mary, to have the honor of giving birth to Jesus, the Son of God. Historically, women have played very significant roles in religion. Nuns, specifically,

The role of women in Church has forever been scrutinized and misunderstood; although many churches continue to refuse women certain rights, it cannot be overseen the vast contributions women have given to Christianity and vice versa. All forms of Christianity use scriptures to guide their beliefs, theories and practices. For centuries it has been disputed and argued as to how scriptures should mold religious practices with changing times; with this several branches of Christianity have been formed and each branch views women differently according to their scripture translations, guidance, and beliefs. From Early Christian times people have followed and believed many religious theologians,

Historically speaking, women never had much status –even though the world has evolved, women are still not seen as equal to their male counterparts. With that said, women in Hinduism had a bit of an advantage because they were viewed as equals in their religion. However, that view only lasted for a short period of time. In Hinduism, women went from having access to the same rights as men and being able to achieve high levels of spirituality to having all that taken away and being oppressed. Hinduism is a complex and diverse religion, with a range of beliefs and numerous deities.

1 Timothy 2:11–15 states: “11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 for Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.” 1 Corinthians 14:33–35 states: “33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their

Some say that the role of women in Judaism has been misrepresented and misunderstood. Today when people think of women's role in Judaism, they think of them as being of very low importance. Yet, threw the Halakha (Jewish laws) we are able to see how significant the role of women is in Judaism. There are many Jewish feminist leaders in today's society. This is because throughout the years of education and study of Judaism, the women learned that everyone must be respected. Within Judaism the women are considered to be on a separate level. They are on the world for one reason, and the men for another. Yet, within the religion they are considered as equals.

the way that a women is to be treated and the way a women should treat her

Today, in current modern society, women and men are continuingly questioning traditional biblical teachings about deity. Even though numerous people claim that God is beyond gender, history constitutes as evidence of referring God to “Him” as masculine and addressing Him as Lord, King, and Father, further providing a strong conditioning factor in our lives, whether one is religious or not. Rituals and duties have been placed in the hands of men, and the hierarchy has been put firmly in place, therefore revealing that their worth has been subordinated and demeaned in the structures of both society and church. Modern feminists and research reveal that this assumption is mistaken. Lady Wisdom’s attributes and various other examples prove why biblical concepts are relevant in light of our contemporary environmental situation and the experience of women.