Role of Women in Religion - Research Paper Example

Role of women in religion Introduction Many religions get their power and reputation from the moral direction they give to human beings. It is quite unfortunate that many religions help preserve and do things that are regarded as unethical by the society. Many religions have contributed in the oppression and mistreatment of women. This has made women to be treated as second class human beings to men as they are taken as objects or possessions. The Koran versus acknowledge that women will inherit less than men and that their testimony is half the testimony of a man. Many leaders in religion have not changed the injustices that face women in the church but instead they have approved the social structures that continue to oppress women. Religious leaders should campaign and speak openly on issues that marginalize women which are promoting unjust inheritance. These traditions include women being raped and girls suffering sexual violations from their teachers. The faiths of Abraham allowed slavery as well as prophet Mohamed owned slaves. Other high people in religion such as St. Paul allowed the practice of slavery. There are some church leaders who fought without fear to remove the injustices that were directed towards women. It is quite unfortunate that religions consider women as inferior beings in the eyes of the lords. For instance, in the New Testament St Paul states those women should be silent, (Husbands & Larsen, Pp 89, 2007)1. Deuteronomy declares that women should bleed at their weeding night and if not so they are stoned to death by the society. Some accepted Jews prayers are heard thanking God for not creating them as women. Many warlords in Congo have oppressed women by violating them sexually. Some warlords in Congo call themselves pastors yet they rape women and small girls mercilessly. Another form of oppression is witnessed in Indian where brides are burned as a sign of Indian ritual (Husbands & Larsen, Pp 75, 2007)2. Religion has continued to oppress women especially in Islamic religion where girls are burned with acid if they go to school. It is quite unfortunate that religion has not changed injustices like underpaying women in their work, and treating women as second class human beings instead they have helped shape these injustices. Most of the religions have prevented women in taking equal responsibilities in religion matters and this has made their violations to be justified. It is quite unfortunate that religions consider women as inferior beings in the eyes of the lords. This has justified men to batter their wives, soldiers to rape women and young girls while parents continue to abort female embryos. Employees are continuously paying women less at their work places because the church has supported the oppression of women. It is quite ironical that churches that have tried to empower women are the conservative churches. Pentecostal and evangelistic churches have allowed women to take leadership responsibilities and women are allowed to share their opinions. These churches have helped women to come out and speak for themselves without fear. Since ancient times there has been a lot of slavery in religion. Today there churches that still deprive women the right to hold high positions in religion which is still a sigh for telling women that they are inferior. Churches should ensure that moral principles are up held and the right of people should not be determined by their genitals. Since ancient time women are treated as inferior beings to women both in Christian and Islamic religion. In Christianity the role of women is seen to be of the same significance to the role of men (Joseph, Suad, Pp 76, 2003.)3. Apostle Paul quoted that that all people are equal in Christ regardless of whether they are women or men. Worship is a significant duty for both Christian and Islamic women even though their roles differ. Women in Islamic religion follow a routine of fasting and prayer so that they go to paradise when they die. Islamic men are promised to get the pleasure of many virgin women when enter paradise but women are not offered anything that will make them happy. Women in Christianity vow to love God because he extended the same love to women. Sinners were saved from death by Jesus when he was sacrificed on the cross. Women in Christianity fast and pray as a sign of worship to God but they do this to respond to the favor they received from God (Joseph, Suad, Pp 90, 2003)4.Christian women pray to return favor to God but they do not do it as an obligation to get favor from God. Women in Christianity acknowledge how easy it’s easy to get gifts from God. This is because Jesus proclaimed that any person who believes in him will not suffer but will inherit Gods kingdom. People in Islamic religion are encouraged to pray five times a day while facing Mecca but Christians are encouraged to pray to God continuously. Women in Islamic religion are encouraged to pray to Allah while they are in their house as they are prevented to visit the mosque according to prophet Mohamed. Prophet believed that the best mosque for women is in their houses. Christian women are allowed to worship with their male counterparts in churches and perform their services as a family. They are also allowed to head the ministries in their churches and take other responsibilities. Women in Christianity are given responsibilities such as praying for church leaders, leading women groups and praying for the church. There are set rules and laws for women in both Christianity and Islamic. Women in Christianity should act as witnesses God and they should not allow their beauty to be seen from the outside like jewelry. These women are encouraged to allow their beauty to be seen from inside. Christians do not try to do good so that their bad deed can be erased. They believe that one is saved from bad deeds by God’s grace. It is through faith that Christians are saved from evil and one is able to inherit the kingdom of God. To the contrary Muslims have laws that ought to be followed for a person to enter paradise. Islam women are supposed to dress humbly according to the laws stipulated by the Koran. Prophet Mohamed emphasized that Islamic women are supposed to follow these laws in their dressing conduct so as not to be perceived as women who constitute hell. Islam women are not supposed to walk in manners suggesting they are flirting or put in any time of hair such as wig. Women are not supposed to cut or pluck their hair for them to look attractive (Miller, Patrick, Pp 78, 2000)5. Islamic women are not supposed to stump the ground so that their jewelry is not heard by the people passing by. Women are treated as possessions of men because men support women as they spend their property. Women who are perceived as being good are those who are obedient to their men. Women in Christianity are allowed to work and earn money because they are give freedom. Any woman who is a parent is supposed to take the responsibilities of their family as a priority. It is very contrary for Islamic women since their freedom is limited and job opportunities are rare. It is quite unfortunate that religions consider women as inferior beings in the eyes of the lords. It is quite unfortunate that religions consider women as inferior beings in the eyes of the lords (Zell, Holy, Pp 17, 2005)6. This has made women to be considered as second class human beings to men as they are taken as objects or possessions. Worship is a significant duty for both Christian and Islamic women even though their roles differ. Since ancient times there has been a lot of slavery in religion. The faiths of Abraham allowed slavery as well as prophet Mohamed owned slaves. Conclusion In the past women in both Christianity and Islamic religions were oppressed and their rights were violated. Women were treated as inferior to men and second class human beings. Women were not allowed to take any responsibilities in the church or to head any religion ministry. Women rights were violated as they were sexually abused and raped. Christian religion is giving a chance to women as they allowing them to take responsibilities in the church. Christian women are also allowed to have jobs and earn money in order to support their families. Bibliography Husbands, Mark &Larsen, Timothy.Women, Ministry and the Gospel: Exploring New Paradigms. New York: Intervarsity Press. 2007. Joseph, Suad. Encyclopedia of Women &Islamic Cultures: Family, Body, Sexuality and Health, Volume 3. New York: BRILL. 2003. Miller, Patrick. The Religion of Ancient Israel. New York: WestministerJohn Knox Press. 2000 Zell, Holy. Organized Religion Or Organized Oppression: Religions Role In Female Oppression. 2005. Accessed On 9th April At, Read More