Critique of the article entitled Images of Women in Early Buddhism and Christian Gnosticism - Essay Example

?Part 2 Critique of the article en d ‘Images of Women in Early Buddhism and Christian Gnosticism’ by Karen Christina Lang In the article entitled ‘Images of Women in Early Buddhism and Christian Gnosticism’ Karen Christina Lang suggests that although Eastern and Western religions, Buddhism and Christianity in particular are viewed as different, they are somehow similar in many respects. A critical reading of this article shows that these religions are based on myths that attempt to label women as evil given that their bodies are mainly comprised of elements of sensual desire and they are the major causes of sin. In other words, women are viewed as improper. As such, this paper will critique the claims by the author where she attributes both scriptures supporting the myth that the disgrace of humanity from God’s grace can be directly attributed to the actions of women who tasted the forbidden fruits of the earth. The research question for the paper is clearly stated as: “Why should these negative attitudes towards women persist when we know that women actively supported and participated in the religious life of both Buddhist and Gnostic communities?” (Lang, 95). This research question is very important given that it shows that the author has point to prove especially with regards to the way women are treated by their male counterparts in different religions especially the two mentioned above. Lang is also try to portray different views that are held by various scholars with regards to the way women are viewed in different religious sectors. In terms of coverage of the topic, it can be seen that the author used different scholarly studies though they are limited about what Gnostic and Bhuddist religions say about women. For instance, Pagels is one of the most cited scholarly article in this research. The credibility of the literature used becomes doubtful which can negatively impact on the article’s authenticity. On the other hand, it can be observed that the major problem the author tries to address is that women have been active participants in religious activities but they are labelled as evil and improper. The author suggests that women are sensual and responsible for seducing man. Both religions suggest that the wrong doing of women disrupted the world which was once perfect. This thesis statement seeks to show that the author is of the view that women are responsible for human kind’s disgrace on earth. A critical reading of the article shows that the author restates the thesis throughout the article and she tries to answer the research question identified above in the article. The way she presents her argument is convincing since she is relying on other scholarly articles. The author uses different claims in supporting the myths that both religions mentioned above suggest that human kind fell from God’s grace after eating forbidden fruits. The Buddhist myth posits to the effect that men’s disgrace came after he tasted the food known as ‘female.’ These claims tend to blame women but men are also involved in the commission of this particular sin. They must also be labelled as imperfect just like their male counterparts. This part is not quite convincing to the reader since all the blame is laid on the women while men too are involved. The evidence presented by the author in advancing her argument shows that women are viewed as agents of the devil since they are responsible for driving men into committing sins that have led them to fall from humanity. The argument is supported in “Temptress” Daughter of Evil (5) where women are portrayed as inferior and temples of the devil by the Bhudhists. Women are viewed as purely sensual with uncontrollable desires in a number of Bhudhist texts. Therefore, it can be argued that women are not evil since they cohabitate with their male counterparts. this is the view being presented by Lang in her article. The author also says that even Christianity also states that holiness can be fully achieved if men live a life of purity as illustrated by Jesus who never engaged in sexuality throughout his life time. This view is supported by Pagels (49) who states that men formed the legitimate body of the community while women can only assimilate themselves to men. According to the perceptions labelled against women by both religions, it would be unfair to treat women as sensual and evil since they indulge in sex with men. In such a scenario, men should also be labelled as sinful. According to Lang, both religions have a negative attitude towards women since they are regarded as sexual objects that were created in order to seduce men so that they can sin. The literature reviewed by the author in her article shows that quite a number of scholars attached a negative perception towards women in their writings related to women and religion such as Lesslie (89). On the other hand, the Bhuddist religion also portrays women as inferior to men. This is one of the main weaknesses of the argument being presented by the author since the paper is full of negative overtones against women. The other weakness presented in the paper is that it associates child bearing with suffering. In Christianity, it is stated that men is created in the image of God and children are often regarded as blessings from the Lord. It seems there is a contradiction in this particular claim. The evidence presented supports the thesis statement and it shows that both religions have the same perception towards women which has negative connotations against them. Different examples are used from the two religions to support the claim presented by the author. For instance, the author draws the example of Adam and Eve where Eve is labelled as the cause of sin in the Garden of Eden. On the other hand, the author uses the dictates of the Bhuddist religion to illustrate the negative perceptions held by men towards their female counterparts. This is also common in other religions as illustrated by Lesslie (90) who states that the Indians also have similar negative perceptions against women. However, the counter argument in this particular case is that women are regarded as symbols of wisdom despite the myths that attempt to label them as temples of the evil. In both scriptures, women are seen as mothers of life and are associated with nurturing. The women are also seen as sources of wisdom though they are viewed as improper in both religions outlined above. However, the author does not strongly support this argument since she just mentions this counter argument in passing. She could have tried to create a strong counter argument that could balance her article so that it could be authentic. This would show that she is not fully supportive of the claims presented by different scholars. Lang’s opinion is that women should not be wholly blamed for being sensual as suggested by the two religions mentioned above. Instead, men are also involved. The author looks at these perceptions from a critical point of view where she does not quickly give in to the suggestions made by the other critics towards women. The overall strength of the author is that she tries to portray the way women are perceived by men in different religions. This article is quite convincing given that negative perceptions against women still exist during the contemporary period where men often view females as inferior and powerless. In rebutting the thesis of the article, the author states that though women are often regarded as not perfect by both religions, they significantly contribute in religious activities. Both religions in the above text acknowledge the significance of women in their lives. Therefore, this article is significant in that it is thought provoking where we are forced to rethink the way scholars study religious perceptions of women. In conclusion, it can be stated that the article by Lang is of the view that the Buddhist and Christian religions argue that human beings were once perfect but they fell from the Grace of God after eating forbidden fruits. A critical analysis of this article shows that it is comprised of negative overtones that show that women are not perfect in this world since they are the ones who caused humanity’s fall from grace. However, the myths presented in supporting the thesis and claims made by the author are not authentic. In the first place, women did not commit the ‘sin’ of indulging in sexual intercourse alone since men were also involved. The author’s argument is quite convincing given that men in particular have the same perceptions about their female counterparts. Whilst other scholars argue that women are responsible for causing men’s disgrace from God and they should be transformed to become men so that they can also be in a position to enter the Kingdom of the Lord, it can be seen that this assertion mainly emanates from the negative perceptions held by men against women. The situation obtaining on the ground suggest otherwise. Overall, the argument of the paper that women are often seen as inferior by different religions is quite convincing given that many people tend to attach negative perceptions against women due to their sexuality. To a larger extent, this argument is significant given that it allows us to critically think in terms of the arguments that are presented by different scholars with regards to the way women are perceived by men in different religions. In order to fully understand this argument, we must take a neutral position and try to critically assess different points being presented by the scholars in terms of their perceptions about women in different religions. Works cited Lesslie Jullie. ‘Essence and existence: Women and Religion in ancient Indian Texts.’ Barns and Noble Books. New Jersey, ND. Pagels Elaine. ‘Gnostic Gospels.’ Vintage books, 1989: Print. “Temptress” Daughter of Evil Yvonne Yazbeck Haddad & Ellison Banks Findly. Women religion and social change. State University of New York Press, Albany: 1985, Print. Read More