Women's role within Christian, Jewish and Muslim homes

[mitzi]

The three religions agree on one basic fact: Both women and men are created by God. However, disagreement starts soon after the creation of the first man, Adam, and the first woman, Eve, and the role of women is seen much differently between both.

Arguments.

[barnasha]

while this is an issue well worth discussing amongst religion there are other points:

- all 3 religions differ depend on the time and place they were practiced and by whom- i.e. there are extra-religious cultural contexts which may infact be more important than the religion itself.

- all 3 religions share a surprising amount in common, they all have the same scriptures and prophets, although their doctrines may differ...

[OneSizeFit]

the role of women is seen much differently between both.

Is it? The role women enjoy in western society is not a result of Christianity. Unless someone changed Genesis and I wasnt looking.

[OneSizeFit]

Also wanted to add, I think Judaism has had a healthier outlook on women throughout the ages, because the do not believe in original sin, and hence blame women for the world's ills.

[FreezBee]

Also wanted to add, I think Judaism has had a healthier outlook on women throughout the ages, because the do not believe in original sin, and hence blame women for the world's ills.

Neither do Christians nor Muslims. Though, there are, of course, always some.

- FreezBee

[DesertBerean]

Neither do Christians nor Muslims. Though, there are, of course, always some.

- FreezBee

[mitzi]

while this is an issue well worth discussing amongst religion there are other points:

- all 3 religions differ depend on the time and place they were practiced and by whom- i.e. there are extra-religious cultural contexts which may in fact be more important than the religion itself.

- all 3 religions share a surprising amount in common, they all have the same scriptures and prophets, although their doctrines may differ...

Sure, and I agree that all three religions differ in there respect to the law about how husbands and wives "should" act toward each other *religiously* speaking. Barnasha, even though the law did permit divorce, Jesus make reference to Genesis "2. Male and female He created them, and He blessed them, and He named them man (Adam) on the day they were created.") when reading the N.T (ref; Matthew 19)

Jesus is quoted as saying "3 The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” 4 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made[a]them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
7 They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?” 8 He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” 10 His disciples said to Him, “If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” (I think the paragraph is referring to Deut. 24:1-4)

Only after the temptation in the garden did Gd order this statement to women, referencing from Matt 9 toward Deut. 24:1-4 in the Mosaic law, regarding a husband and wife relationship, gave the women (Eve) this statement "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband and he will rule over you." Wasn't that law issued from the garden? and To Adam He said: "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree .... Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life..."

Now, from that point of view (in a biblical sense) into today's society how man has interpreted "he will rule over you" is the source of conflict. I do agree that some (not all) religious groups revolutionize there civil codes regarding the bonds of marriage after centuries of turmoil over the original position - some groups (not all) and even among all three religions - still have to relate to the law (Halakhic decision-making or Sharia deals with many aspects of life, including crime, politics, economics, banking, business, contracts, family, sexuality, hygiene, and social issues.) Some religious codes still control issues of marriage, divorce, and inheritance for Christian, Jewish and Muslim. (some - perhaps not all - in the Christian religions include some type of annulment procedures - Orthodox and Roman Catholics) but again I'm not sure what type of civil procedures are done with other congregations - on matters of marriage and divorce. In some cases these forms of rulings (either by civil or religious laws) have soften there stances about relationships between man and women - but not "all". Depending on which religious groups that the couple might be affiliated with - but Divorce isn't the only issue that needs to be discussed, either.

How each religion - and depending on the strictness of the code - does influence how men and women will interrelate to their own relationship. The laws,after all, have been created from the beginning after the fall.

[mitzi]

Also wanted to add, I think Judaism has had a healthier outlook on women throughout the ages, because the do not believe in original sin, and hence blame women for the world's ills.

Muslims are the ones (at least I thought) didn't believe that woman was to blame for the fall?

Depending upon which religious group that you belong to, as well, along with the strict adherence to law (Mosaic or Sharia) will determine how a man will treat his wife in certain circumstances - and vice verse - not to mention how a father will determine a husband for his daughter. There have been cases that some families have gone around the law. Also, just like in any religious community (as well) and also between all three, in some instances and in regards to marriage or family related instances - the clergy will advise the family in certain areas of the law. If the clergy/rabbi/or an imams of mosques or a professional of the religion code for Muslims have been called in matter of family law or even on general issues, then I would think on how the law is interpreted, would depend on "how" well educated and familiar cleric's are with matters of the law (for example:posek (decisor) or beth din (court) responsible for a given opinion). In the case for Christian sometimes it can mean a group of elders, in the Orthodox and also for Catholics Canon Law whereby an it can be tribunal judges, and for Muslims; it can mean having imams or professional scholars to interpret the such laws.

But when a man "hits" a woman - and both are religious/within a particular religious group - and being highlighted. These family matters are dealt with according to the law in which they reside and also within there own communities - according the cleric/or rabbi/or imam. They are not left unnoticed. If you are apart of a religious community; that cleric/rabbi or even imam will have a direct relationship with the couple - since that authority figure (within there community) has probably married the couple, has participated in their child/drens religious training -Bar Mitzvah/Bat Mitzvah, baptism for Christians, and Muslims the traditions hold to praying and later on making their pilgrimage, then I would think that how a man (within) his own religious community will be dealt with - and again, according to the way the community (underlining community) enforces that type of behavior - and not dealt as a man and woman separately apart from any civil or religious law. (This being another issue)

A woman within any three religious groups - is (as I've heard) the window to the family. per quote and how you will strength her in both about family matters, academically and spiritually in order to be a blessing to "her" own parents (especially in some religious communities to "her" father). In a Muslim home as well as any other religious home - the wife can request that the father "come into the marriage" and literally take her away from the husband.



One size fits all: I used your post to write more about this subject. Sorry.

[mitzi]

Is it? The role women enjoy in western society is not a result of Christianity. Unless someone changed Genesis and I wasnt looking.

OneSizeFit: The role women enjoy in western society is not a result of Christianity

nor any other. Either

[OneSizeFit]

Muslims are the ones (at least I thought) didn't believe that woman was to blame for the fall?

Scripture disagrees with you.

1 Timothy 2:11-15 (American Standard Version)

11 Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection.
12 But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness.
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve;
14 and Adam was not beguiled, but the woman being beguiled hath fallen into transgression:

I have a daughter, I do not subscribe to original sin, ultimately I disagree with Paul on this matter, but none the less, he set the precedent for women in the Christian culture until the 20th century. Truth hurts.

[FreezBee]

What I meant is that i don't personally know of any Christians or Muslims that blame women for the world's ills, though I won't deny the possibility of finding som that do so.

- FreezBee

[OneSizeFit]

OneSizeFit: The role women enjoy in western society is not a result of Christianity

nor any other. Either

Agreed. Humanity rose to the occasion!

[OneSizeFit]

What I meant is that i don't personally know of any Christians or Muslims that blame women for the world's ills, though I won't deny the possibility of finding som that do so.

- FreezBee

It's old school to say the least, thank God. I want nothing more than my daughter to be president!

[FreezBee]

It's old school to say the least, thank God. I want nothing more than my daughter to be president!

Cool idea. That would give us a woman to blame for the world's ills

- FreezBee

[OneSizeFit]

Cool idea. That would give us a woman to blame for the world's ills

- FreezBee

Dont say that to my face though.