ROLE OF WOMEN IN JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY, AND ISLAM

The Role of Women in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

[Name of the supervisor]

The Role of Women in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

World religions shape not only social culture but also the view of women in society. An investigation of various cultures will reveal similarities and differences in the role women play in modern society. As religion has changed throughout the span of human life on earth so has the viewpoint of women in religion. When comparing Judaism to Christianity this transformation can be seen. Traditional views of Jewish women took on a two fold meaning. While women were regarded in a secondary subservient manner, they were still glorified as wives and mothers, which was considered her primary role. Many Jewish traditions revolved around her role at the home. Biblical scholars believe that the later bible writers were concerned that this greater role of women would not be accepted in Hellenistic culture, and so began the transformation of Christian women into patriarchal patterns. Some women were described a benefactors or leaders in the Church.

As a result Jewish tradition viewed only married women as holy. Although exulted as a good wife and mother ancient Jewish women were viewed as second class to men. However some passages refer to women as subordinates of men. Since her primary obligation was to her family a Jewish woman was generally unable to study or participate at the temple. Celibacy became a prevailing view among Christian theology. Religious viewpoint have also stimulated unselfishness and sacrifice. Consequently, women's issues are hardly spoken; much less dealt with .Women's lack of contribution in decision-making extends afar from the public to the concealed sphere. The rising cultural secularism, emerging collectivism, and the awareness that religion was within the subject of the feminine changed the country's religious setting.

Both men and women believed in a superior being to explain the existence of life. Women are expected to follow and obey the word of God just as much as men are, but they still are denied the privilege of spreading the word of God. The male gender has dominated the world for the past hundreds of years, but times have changed and women are seeking equality. Even in the church, men are categorized as superior to women. Considered intellectually and morally inferior to men, women were instructed to restrict their piety to the home. (Catherine, 1999) Some women, particularly in the South, extended the religious instruction they offered their children to their slaves. In general, slave owners feared that Christianization would lead to emancipation.

Traditional and cultural obstructions work against women's equal access to power. Social association such as the family, schools, churches, governments, and media, promote typecast of the roles of men and women play in the social order. Low in self-knowledge and self-esteem, these women fail to gain control and power over their lives, and to contribute expressively in their communities.

Most people interpreting the Bible, agree that man and woman are both equally a ...