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The status of women, in the
Bible and in the modern world

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Overview of this section:

Almost all oppressed groups in the world are minorities. Women are a notable exception. A few centuries ago, the assignment of second class citizenship to women was considered as normal and natural a part of Christianity as human slavery and the execution of homosexuals, witches, and religious dissenters.

Women have achieved impressive advances over the last century, but progress has been uneven across the world. The main impediments to attaining equality have been culture and religion.

This section links to essays that discuss:

	The role and status of women in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), where they were generally considered as  property, along with female slaves, male slaves, cattle, etc.
	The radically equal treatment of women by Yeshua of Nazareth (a.k.a. Jesus Christ) and in the very early Christian movements.
	The rapid decline of women's rights as the Christian movement matured.
	The current struggle of women who felt called by God to the clergy, but were/are refused ordination by sexist faith groups.
	The struggle of Christian women who find themselves ineligible for employment in conservative religious institutions.
	The processes by which Christian denominations change, in areas of sexism, racism and homophobia and discrimination against transgendered persons. There are surprising similarities among the four forms of discrimination.

Topics covered in this section:

	Quotations by and about women, from inspirational to distressing
	The status of women in the Bible and early Christianity
	How religions established, changed, and continue to change their teachings on slavery, the role of women, sexual orientation, and other topics
	Discrimination and violence against women: Seeking ordination as priests or consecration as bishops   In academia and other teaching positions At Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary   "Spare the Rod:" an essay describing partnership and dominator cultural models by Riane Eisler   Rape during wartime

Copyright © 2006 to 2009 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally posted: 2006-MAY-29
Latest update: 2009-FEB-09
Author: B.A. Robinson

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