Judaism For Men Only?

[Bar Sinister]

I found this article interesting in that Judaism is often seen as the religion of the persecuted. It turns out that Judaism has its own form of internal persecution in which women are excluded from practicing their religion in its holiest sites. I suppose given the patriarchical characteristics of Judaism that is hardly surprising, but you would think that in the 21st Century some effort would be made to give women equality.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Anger+curses+women+pray+loud+Western+Wall/3823053/story.html

 

[ironsides]

I found this article interesting in that Judaism is often seen as the religion of the persecuted. It turns out that Judaism has its own form of internal persecution in which women are excluded from practicing their religion in its holiest sites. I suppose given the patriarchical characteristics of Judaism that is hardly surprising, but you would think that in the 21st Century some effort would be made to give women equality.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Anger+curses+women+pray+loud+Western+Wall/3823053/story.html

There are female Jewish Rabbi teaching in somr liberal Jewish sects., nothing new in that,

 

[gopher]

Judaism gives great tribute to biblical matriarchs. For example, Tombs of the Matriarchs are honored with great reverence. There is at present much controversy over Rachel's Tomb which is considered quite holy with various religions claiming it as their own.

 

[El Barto]

show me a religion where women are not second class
the list will be shorter

 

[petros]

show me a religion where women are not second class
the list will be shorter

Wiccan.

 

[gopher]

Quakers

 

[El Barto]

Wiccan.

Is that considered a religion? Not a faith?

Quakers

I don't know but it seems men and woman are seriously beaten down in that religion.
Where women wear the facial hair as much as the men do 8O

 

[Bar Sinister]

I think El Barto is right. Listing the Society of Friends and Wicca as religions in which women are equal is pretty much saying that less than one percent of all followers of religions actually treat women equally. Perhaps someone can come up with a few more to add to this tiny list.

 

[gopher]

Many ''pagan'' religions such as Sande or spirtism cults are female dominated as were Greek temples in the days before Christianity. From my past readings it appears to me that the majority of these practices were largely female dominated. Then came Abrahamic religions to alter the course of humanity.

 

[Bar Sinister]

Many ''pagan'' religions such as Sande or spirtism cults are female dominated as were Greek temples in the days before Christianity. From my past readings it appears to me that the majority of these practices were largely female dominated. Then came Abrahamic religions to alter the course of humanity.

You are quite right in terms of the position of women in the religion of ancient Greece. Interestingly, priestesses appear to have been accorded equal status with priests despite the fact that in everyday Greek society women were definitely subordinate. Unfortunately religious equality for women ended with the adoption of Christianity and has pretty much remained that way for most Christian sects. Apparently the thinking of those who run the Judeo-Christian institutions is that what was good for women 3,000 years ago is good enough for them now. Of course, there is a way out of this for women - continue to do what some women are doing at the Wailing Wall and challenge the hidebound fundamentalists who would deny them equal rights. Even better post videos of these bigoted idiots on YouTube and expose them for what they really are. And if that doesn't work go one step further and get out of the religion altogether; a loss of half its membership might give Judaism a bit of a wake up call.