Reference no: EM133179022
Judaism: The primary role of women is wife and keeper of house - discouraged from pursuing education and religious studies because of the effect it may have on their "duties." Participation in synagogue life is limited, allowing men to dominate public life. Participation in synagogue life is limited, allowing men to dominate public life. Orthodox Jewish prayer thanks God "who hast not made me a woman."
Hinduism: Early Hindu women were considered equal to the lowest class of men, and taught that their only acceptable role in society was that of the "good wife." Out of this rose the concept of sati (meaning "pure"), a woman's willful cremation on the funeral pyre of her husband. Women must be controlled by men through marriage to be useful, and governed by their husband, their father, or sons. Women are banned from hearing sacred rituals and holding positions of religious leadership.
Buddhism: Even though the Buddha preached equality of genders, after his death women were viewed as enemies to a life of purity. Sections of the Pali Canon describe the perfect wife as obedient to her husband and docile in nature. Some sects believed that gender was based on karma; positive karma resulted in reincarnation as a man, while negative karma resulted in reincarnation as a woman.
Islam: Women in Islam were considered equal in faith, subordinate by nature; Women had the right to inheritance and divorce, however, female sexuality is frowned upon. Women's testimony counts for half a man's and are not allowed to pray during menstruation as they are considered unclean. Men have more authority (and are in charge of decision making), can marry up to 4 wives (women can only marry 1 husband) and she must be obedient to him. In mosques women are separated from men, and can only teach other women.
Christianity: In Christian theology, Eve is considered responsible for the fall of man and the creation of original sin. On the other hand, Christ is male, as are the apostles. Due to their naturally "wicked" nature, Christian women were treated as inferiors, both in the Church and the community. Women are the "helper" of her husband, and he shall "rule over" her. While major figures are men, women are depicted as wives, mothers, temptresses, and prostitutes (praised for roles as wives and mothers, condemned for other roles).
- Please identify the similarities that exist across religions regarding the role and nature of women.
After reading the patterns across religions, exploring various origin myths, and reading the scientific thinkers on differences between the sexes, identify three (3) overarching patterns that exist between the materials mentioned, and the propaganda and advertisements of the 20th century. USE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES that connect the ideas from religion/origin myths/scientific thinkers to the propaganda and advertisements from the 20th century.