Introduction
Different communities and religions have diverse views and perspectives toward both genders; men and women. This piece of work will look into how women are treated and viewed regarding religious matters like worship and leadership in various religious traditions with much emphasis on Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
Women and Christianity
The basic tool used in concluding matters of Christianity is the bible. There is however, controversies that arise in the different ways in which people interpret the bible as the bible does not bring out the meaning just by reading but need revelation in interpretation.
From some of the bible verses, like 1 Timothy 2:11-12, it is easy to say that women are lower in grading them with men since it states that “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission, I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.” This shows the position of women in relation to that of men.
In regard to this verse, many churches still view women as inferior and that they should not take leadership positions like being part of the clergy despite the many evolutions that have taken place since the bible was written. The story of Adam and Eve in the bible also shows a woman as a person close to the devil for breaking God’s command by eating the specific fruit that she was warned not to and therefore the woman is viewed as the source of evil that spilled over to man, Adam.
The argument is based on the same book verses 13-14 that states; “For Adam was formed first, then Eve, and Adam were not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.” All in all modern Christianity recognize women with a certain level of importance, for example, in Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox women are allowed to take leadership positions although they cannot be priests. Mary the mother of Jesus Christ is also seen as a perfect human being and is treated with dignity and respect.
In most protestant churches, women are given equal opportunities as men and can become pastors. Women are allowed access to the sacrificial place (alter), they read the gospel, and even undergo baptismal rituals. They are supposed to be treated with integrity and accorded the due respect they deserve (Sharma and Young 20).
Women and Islam
The Quran is the guiding Holy book of the Islamic people. Muslim women are alleged to have traditional characteristics and social responsibilities and are therefore perceived to have difficulties in adjusting to modernity. However, most of them have been able to move up to high leadership positions today. There is a difference between Islamic and cultural beliefs and while cultural beliefs discriminate the women, Islamic beliefs tend to uplift them.
There are traditions that deny women the rights that men have, for example, most Muslims women do not go to school; they are denied inheritance, put under control, and supervision to avoid chances of immorality as opposed to men of their age.
Islam today, however, view a woman as a person with her own rights based on equality, with equal rights and privileges as men, and also they are seen to be important in processes of war and peacebuilding. They are also encouraged to seek education and take official positions in the mosque and leadership in other fields. Their role as mothers is highly appreciated (Ozyurt 1).
Women and Judaism
In Orthodox Judaism, women are not allowed to be rabbis: they sit in a separate place from the men and are not allowed to read Torah or even be present at some services. Orthodox Judaism perceives the deity to be a man and teaches that the word of God was passed by men such as Abraham and therefore leadership should be for men.
Women are much discriminated and are not allowed to go to the synagogue as frequently as men do. In marriage, a woman’s role is only defined by motherhood, and that is the only importance attached by society. She is supposed to use her entire time looking after the children and taking care of the household chores, and she is not allowed to be part of the rituals performed for various purposes.
It is not also common to have a female rabbi in liberal Judaism though men and women are given equal chances in directing prayers and reading Torah.
In some instances, they are also allowed to take leadership positions and are ordained as rabbis. Liberal Judaism offers women the right to live with pride and integrity and expects men to respect their wives, mothers, and daughters and take good care of them. They are not supposed to beat them or demonstrate other abuses against them be it physical, mental or emotional (Meho and Maglaughlin 139).
Conclusion
Religion is an important aspect since it brings people together due to what they believe in and stipulates a way of life to these individuals. Islam, Christianity, and Judaism are distinct religions each with discrete characteristic although some interrelate as discussed in this paper.
Works Cited
Meho I. L., & Maglaughlin L. K. Kurdish Culture and Society: An Annotated Bibliography. USA: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2001.
Ozyurt, S. “Muslim Women in Western Societies: How Religion, Gender and Culture Affect Coping with Social Change” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Studies Association, Town & Country Resort and Convention Center, San Diego, California, USA, 2006. Web.
Sharma, A., & Young K. K. Feminism and World Religions. New York: State University of New York Press, 1999.