CONTRAST WOMEN'S ROLES IN ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY

Women's Roles in Islam & Christianity

Women's Roles in Islam & Christianity

Introduction

Christianity and Islam have innumerable differences. One such distinction is their beliefs and value of women. Many believe in the obvious that women in Islam are treated worse than in Christianity. The value of an Islamic woman has been depicted as feeble and miniscule, while a Christian woman has incessant worth. Certain aspects have proven Islam women inferior to Christian women. However, diligent research of the Bible and the Qur'an have identified the value of an Islam woman superior to a Christian woman (www.themodernreligion.com).

Thesis Statement

Both religions agree on the basic fact that men and women are created by an omnipotent God. However, disagreement starts soon after Adam and Eve were created. The Christian conception of the creation of man and woman is narrated in Genesis.

Discussion

God strictly prohibited both Adam and Eve from eating the fruit from the forbidden tree. The snake initially seduced Eve to eat from the tree and in turn Eve seduced Adam. When Adam was rebuked by God, he blamed Eve for his transgression: "The woman you put here with me - she gave me some fruit from the tree and I ate it" (Genesis 3:12). Accordingly, God said to Eve, "I will increase your trouble in pregnancy and your pain in giving birth, in spite of this you will have a desire for you husband, yet you will be subject to him" (Genesis 3:16). God rebuked Adam, but not to the extent of Eve's castigation. There was no equal judgement: Adam blamed the temptress Eve and Eve was punished accordingly.

The Islamic conception of creation is found in the Qur'an: "O Adam dwell with your wife in the garden and enjoy as you wish but approach not this tree or you run into harm. Then Satan spoke to them, your Lord just forbade you this tree lest you become angels as well as he swore to them both that he was their sincere adviser. When they tasted the tree their disgrace became apparent to them. Their Lord called unto them did I not forbid you that tree...They said: our Lord we have wronged our own souls and if You forgive us not and bestow not upon us your mercy, we shall certainly be lost " (Qur'an 7:19-25). Both conceptions of creation reveal essential differences. Contrary to the Bible, the Qur'an places equal blame on both Adam and Eve. There is no evidence in the Qur'an that Eve tempted Adam or even ate first from the tree. In the Bible, Eve is portrayed as a seducer, deceiver, and sinner. According to the Qur'an, both asked for forgiveness and God forgave both Adam and Eve equally(www.christianity-islam.com).

The image of Eve has resulted in a negative impact on Christian women. St. Paul wrote: "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. Paul depicts all women as temptresses and deceiving to a ...