Did major religions contribute to misogyny? Were the most oppressive cultures toward women mostly religious?

Hello, this is Seri 🌸

This is a question I’ve often asked myself: did major religions contribute to misogyny?

Based on my personal experiences, I would say yes.

However, many religious individuals including women argue that religion has brought benefits to women, and that it even improved their rights in certain historical contexts.

Throughout history, religion has profoundly influenced societal norms, particularly in shaping gender roles. But did religions themselves create misogyny, or were these ideologies shaped by the patriarchal societies that interpreted them?

Putting my feelings aside, I decided to do some research.

This text seeks to examine whether the roots of misogyny lie within religious frameworks, or if they were cultivated over time through male-dominated interpretations, and how these influences continue to shape modern views of women in religion.

The origins of misogyny.

We can trace the roots of misogyny by looking at a combination of anthropological, historical, and sociocultural factors. Misogyny, the deep-seated prejudice against women didn’t originate from a single cause or event, but rather emerged through interwoven shifts in human society, long before major world religions were even born.

Prehistoric Times – Before Patriarchy.

In early human societies especially during the hunter-gatherer era, there’s evidence of more egalitarian gender roles. Women contributed significantly to food gathering and the survival of the community. Some cultures even worshipped feminine forces, such as fertility goddesses, the moon, or the Earth itself (Gaia-like concepts).

- These societies were not necessarily matriarchal, but power was more balanced and femininity was spiritually revered.

- There are ancient Venus figurines (like the

Venus of Willendorf) that symbolize fertility and the sacred feminine.

At this point, misogyny as we understand it today didn’t yet exist.

The Agricultural Revolution (~10,000 BCE) – The Rise of Property and Inheritance.

With the invention of agriculture came settled life, private property, and inheritance systems. This was a turning point.

-Land became wealth, and wealth needed to be passed down. So controlling women’s sexuality became essential to ensure that children were legitimate heirs.

- Women’s roles shifted: from active gatherers and spiritual figures to caregivers, wives, and mothers, restricted mostly to the domestic sphere.

- This led to early patriarchal structures, where men controlled resources, lineage, and women’s lives.

Misogyny began to develop as a way to justify control over women, presenting them as inferior or needing male authority.

Ancient Civilizations – Institutionalizing Gender Hierarchies.

In places like Mesopotamia, Ancient Greece, Ancient India, and China, societies became more structured, with laws, armies, empires, and hierarchies.

- Women were excluded from political and intellectual life.

- In Ancient Greece, women were seen as irrational, emotional, and dangerous without male guidance. Think of how Aristotle described women as “defective men.”

- In early Chinese philosophy, especially under Confucianism, the ideal was a submissive, obedient woman. The "Three Obediences" required women to obey their father, husband, and son.

- Hindu and Vedic texts started with some female deities and philosophical roles for women, but over time became more conservative.

- Laws (like Hammurabi’s Code) institutionalized harsh penalties for women’s behavior, especially regarding sexuality.

Misogyny became embedded into law, philosophy, and morality.

Religious Codification – Spiritual Justification.

When organized religions became powerful, many built on the pre-existing patriarchal systems.

- In Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam), foundational stories like Eve being made from Adam or being the one who caused the Fall were used to justify women’s subordination.

- Religious leaders were almost exclusively male, reinforcing male dominance.

- Modesty, virginity, and female submission became spiritual values closely linked to the idea of male honor.

- Original sin, impurity, or moral weakness was often attributed to women.

Religions didn’t create misogyny but gave it sacred authority, making it even harder to challenge.

Note : Religion is a system of beliefs, practices, and moral principles often centered around a higher power or divine force. It usually involves rituals, sacred texts, and a community of believers.

Its purpose is to provide meaning to life, explain the mysteries of existence, guide ethical behavior, and offer comfort, especially in times of suffering or uncertainty.

Colonialism and Globalization – Exporting Misogyny.

When European powers colonized the world, they brought with them Christian moral frameworks, European gender roles, and patriarchal systems.

- Many indigenous or matrilineal societies had more gender fluidity or respect for feminine power, these were often destroyed or converted.

- Missionaries labeled native spiritual practices as "heathen" or "immoral," especially when women held leadership or priestess roles.

Colonialism spread Eurocentric misogyny to the world under the banner of "civilizing."

Modern Times – Misogyny in New Forms.

Even in secular societies, misogyny persisted:

- In science (e.g., “hysteria” being a women’s disease).

- In medicine (female pain being ignored).

- In politics, philosophy, and education (women being denied basic rights until very recently).

It became part of institutions, media, family structures, and culture.

In conclusion : misogyny’s roots are older than religion.

It emerged gradually through:

Division of Labor: This division might have led to the emergence of male dominance as men gained control over resources (such as food and shelter) that were necessary for survival. Since men were often more involved in activities that required physical strength (like hunting), they were seen as the more "dominant" gender, and this perspective began to shape social hierarchies.

Patriarchy and Reproduction: As societies became more settled and agricultural, the role of women as mothers and caregivers was emphasized, but their economic and social contributions were minimized. Patriarchy became a way to ensure that men controlled property and lineage, consolidating power over women’s reproductive capabilities and the family structure.

Yet across time, women have resisted, and cultures of equality have existed and still exist, they were simply silenced or erased.

Note : Patriarchal societies are structured around male dominance in roles of power and authority, but that doesn't automatically mean they are misogynistic (which is a deep-seated dislike or hatred of women).

A patriarchal society can uphold traditional gender roles without explicitly hating women. However, it often creates systems where women have fewer rights or opportunities, which can lead to or reinforce misogynistic attitudes over time.

So while all misogynistic societies are patriarchal, not all patriarchal societies are openly or intentionally misogynistic, but they can still have harmful effects on gender equality.

Not all societies after the Agricultural Revolution were misogynistic or even patriarchal.

While the shift to agricultural and more settled societies did lead to the rise of patriarchy in many cultures, this was not a universal development. Some societies developed alternative systems that were more egalitarian or even matriarchal in nature.

In some early agricultural societies, women maintained significant roles in political, social, and economic spheres.

Even in some agricultural societies, gender roles were more fluid, and women held more power than in the patriarchal systems that became dominant in other parts of the world.

Some tribal societies that practiced a mix of hunting, gathering, and agriculture have maintained more equal or even female-centered social structures. These societies often valued communal cooperation over individual power and were less likely to develop rigid gender hierarchies.

It's important to remember that not all societies were influenced by the dominant religions of the time, such as those that became patriarchal under the spread of Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam). Indigenous and localized belief systems often portrayed gods and deities in more gender-balanced ways, with powerful female deities playing central roles in religion and society.

Conclusion :

Misogyny in ancient civilizations didn't just appear suddenly, it was a gradual transformation, shaped by survival needs, environmental changes, power structures, and shifting values over time.

The rise of agriculture, humans moved from adapting to nature to dominating it.

So, femininity, once celebrated, started to feel like something that needed to be regulated, not honored.

Religions and myths were also shaped by these growing civilizations.

- Old stories were rewritten: goddesses became secondary, or were merged with male gods.

- Tales about women (like Pandora, Eve, Lilith) painted them as curious, dangerous, or disobedient reinforcing the idea that femininity needed to be contained.

These stories helped justify male dominance, even spiritually.

Wait a minute... Did patriarchy led to misogyny and how?

Patriarchy laid the foundation for misogyny by establishing systems where men held power and authority over women in families, politics, religion, and society. Over time, this imbalance wasn't just accepted, it was justified through cultural norms, religious teachings, and laws.

As a result, women were often portrayed as weaker, less rational, or even morally inferior. These stereotypes helped normalize the idea that women were less than men, which gradually fostered misogynistic attitudes such as the belief that women should be controlled, silenced, or excluded.

Patriarchy created the power imbalance, and misogyny grew from the need to maintain and justify that imbalance.

Women’s bodies became tied to family honor, especially in elite classes. Misogyny was a way of protecting social order, in the eyes of those in power.

Yet, the sacred feminine, matrilineal ways, and women’s wisdom never truly vanished; they just went underground. Hidden in folktales, rituals, healing practices, and the hearts of women who kept their power quiet… until the time came to rise again.

Back to the point...

Religions didn’t invent misogyny but many helped structure, justify, and intensify it, especially once they were institutionalized and aligned with power, politics, and patriarchy.

1. Abrahamic Religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam).

These are perhaps the most well-known for embedding strict gender roles and male authority especially as they became state religions or linked to empires.

- Judaism : The early Torah includes patriarchal laws, women were considered the property of fathers or husbands, and purity laws often targeted women’s bodies. That said, Jewish mysticism (like the Shekhinah) still holds feminine divine energy.

- Christianity: It began with radical teachings of love and equality (Jesus spoke with women, valued them), but once Christianity became aligned with Roman imperial power, its structures became deeply patriarchal. The idea of Eve as the sinner shaped much of European misogyny. The Church feared and suppressed feminine spiritual power (e.g. witch hunts, banning female mystics).

- Islam: In early Islamic history, some rights for women were progressive for the time (inheritance, divorce), but later interpretations especially under male scholars and kings led to patriarchal enforcement. Many cultural practices (like gender segregation) became framed as religious, even if they were more regional.

2. Confucianism (China).

Confucianism is not a religion per se, but a moral-political philosophy with a huge impact.

- It emphasizes hierarchy, obedience, and filial piety.

- Gender roles were rigid: women obeyed their fathers, husbands, then sons.

- The ideal woman was silent, loyal, self-sacrificing.

- Education was for boys; women were to serve the family structure.

Confucian values deeply shaped Chinese, Korean, and Japanese social systems, reinforcing patriarchy in everyday life.

3. Hinduism (India).

Hinduism is vast and layered, it holds both patriarchal and feminine-celebrating elements.

- Some ancient texts like the Védas and early Tantric traditions honored feminine energy (Shakti), goddess worship, and even female sages.

- But later Brahmanical interpretation (especially the Laws of Manu) reinforced patriarchal control, child marriage, widow isolation (sati), and domestic confinement.

So the shift wasn’t about the core of Hinduism, but how male elites used religion to secure social control, again.

4. Buddhism

– Originally, the Buddha allowed women into the monastic order but as “nuns,” they were given stricter rules and had to defer to male monks, regardless of experience.

– Some schools saw women as inherently less pure, needing to be reborn male to reach enlightenment.

– Yet, Mahayana and Tantric Buddhism held more inclusive views, celebrating feminine wisdom (like Prajnaparamita, the "Mother of All Buddhas").

5. Zoroastrianism, Ancient Iranian Religion

– One of the first monotheistic faiths, less famous, but influential.

– Though it had powerful goddesses earlier, it eventually emphasized duality: good vs. evil, purity vs. impurity.

– Menstruation and childbirth were seen as impure.

– Women’s roles became restricted with time.

Summary:

Misogyny was not born in religion, but many religions became the vehicles through which it spread deeply and invisibly.

Especially when:

– Patriarchal rulers used religion to control society.

– Sacred feminine symbols were either erased or demonized.

– Male-only priesthoods rewrote laws, myths, and values.

There is a lot of misogyny in major religions, especially as they became institutionalized and interpreted by powerful men over time. It’s sad, but very real.

Even if many religions originally carried messages of peace, wisdom, and even equality, they were often twisted to serve patriarchal power structures.

1. In Traditional Judaism:

– Women are often not allowed to read the Torah publicly.

– They are excluded from priestly or leadership roles.

– Their testimonies may carry less legal weight than men’s.

-Morning Prayer (Berakhot):

Traditional Jewish men thank God:

“Blessed are You... for not making me a woman.”

-were historically not counted in a minyan (prayer quorum).

2. In Christianity (especially Catholicism):

– The story of Eve as the sinner helped shape the idea that women are temptresses, weak, or less pure.

– Women were barred from the clergy, and to this day, many churches don’t allow female priests.

Church Fathers:

Tertullian: “Woman is the devil’s gateway.”

Augustine: Saw sex as tainted and women as temptresses.

Aquinas: Described women as “defective males.”

– The witch hunts often targeted women who were independent, herbalists, or midwives.

3. In Islam:

– Some hadiths (many of them debated) include harsh or belittling views of women.

For examples :

-Women are deficient in intelligence and religion.

-Most inhabitants of Hell are women.

-Beating wives in the Quran (Used to justify domestic violence, especially in traditional legal systems).

-Women couldn’t drive until 2018 in Saudi Arabia.

4. In Confucianism:

– A woman was expected to obey her father, then her husband, then her son.

– The ideal was the “silent, virtuous wife.”

– Women had little space in politics, education, or spiritual leadership.

5. In Buddhism

Buddhism often has a reputation for being peaceful and philosophical, but when it comes to women’s rights and treatment, its history is mixed, especially once you look at the monastic traditions and how different cultures implemented it.

-While early scriptures say women can reach enlightenment, some traditions (like in Tibetan Buddhism) taught that women must be reborn as men first. Some texts state that being born a woman is due to bad karma from a past life.

-Women (in Japan) were often barred from sacred Buddhist sites (like Mt. Ōmine) because they were seen as ritually impure due to menstruation and childbirth.

Were all religious cultures misogynistic?

Like we said above, as its roots, religion, before institutions and dogmas, was about humans trying to understand their place in the universe and connect with something bigger than themselves.

So for the question : not all.

Some religious cultures honored the feminine deeply, and even placed women or the divine feminine at the heart of their spiritual worldview.

So religion wasn’t always misogynistic. In fact, it could uplift femininity in beautiful, sacred ways.

But did major religions later contribute to misogyny?

Yes, very often.

Many of the universalizing religions, especially when tied to empires, conquest, and control began to:

– Codify male dominance into law and morality.

– Exclude women from leadership.

– Suppress goddess worship or feminine spiritual figures.

– Emphasize purity, obedience, and “modesty” for women, often violently enforced.

This includes:

– Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) though they all have diverse interpretations.

– Confucianism, which emphasized hierarchy and filial piety, placing women below men.

– Some versions of Hinduism and Buddhism, when shaped by patriarchal norms of the time.

So while these religions didn’t always start as purely misogynistic, they often absorbed existing patriarchal values and strengthened them , especially once they became tied to state power or social control.

So what changed?

The shift came when:

– Power centralized (kingdoms, empires).

– Militarism and land ownership became linked to masculinity.

– Religions became tools for order, law, and expansion.

– Female-led spiritualities were called “pagan” or “witchcraft” and erased.

Religions, in those moments, stopped being just about the divine… and became a mirror of social power.

Were the most oppressive cultures toward women mostly religious?

Yes, in many historical cases, the most patriarchal and oppressive systems were deeply intertwined with religion especially when:

– Religion was used to legitimize authority and control.

– The state and religion were interwoven (theocracy or divine kingship).

– Women’s bodies, sexuality, and roles were heavily moralized or restricted.

Why did this happen?

Religions, especially those that became universal, text-based, and linked to empire, often began to:

– Enforce strict gender roles through sacred law.

– Create legal systems that limited women's rights in marriage, property, speech, and public life.

– Position men as intermediaries between the divine and the rest (prophets, priests, monks).

– Associate femininity with sin, temptation, or impurity.

This happened in many places, including:

– Medieval Christian Europe (where women could be burned as witches for challenging norms).

– Certain Islamic caliphates (where patriarchal interpretations shaped laws and customs).

– Confucian-influenced dynasties (where women's obedience and seclusion were praised).

– Some Hindu societies (where caste, widowhood, and purity rituals oppressed women deeply).

But was it because of religion? Or something deeper?

Religion wasn’t always the root, but it became a powerful vehicle to spread and preserve misogyny because:

– It could claim divine authority: “This is how God wants it.”

– It codified patriarchy into sacred, unchangeable laws.

– It silenced questioning: to rebel against patriarchy was to rebel against God.

In contrast…

Many less centralized, oral, or animist cultures where religion was more fluid and nature-based often allowed more space for:

– Gender flexibility.

– Female spiritual leadership.

– A sense of balance between masculine and feminine forces.

Yes, most of the cultures where women were most harshly oppressed had very rigid, deeply patriarchal religious systems.

But it wasn’t religion alone, it was the way religion merged with power, conquest, fear, and hierarchy.

And not all religion was like this :

Some kept the divine feminine alive, softly, quietly, even when the world turned hard.

Goddess-Centered Spirituality (Pre-Abrahamic Europe & Near East)

Before patriarchal religions rose, many cultures worshipped goddesses as creators, protectors, and symbols of the Earth’s fertility:

-In Neolithic Europe, the Earth was seen as a Great Mother, not as property, but as life itself.

-The Minoan civilization (Crete) had no known signs of male-dominated rule, and goddesses like Potnia were central.

-In Sumer, goddesses like Inanna/Ishtar ruled over love, war, fertility, fierce and complex.

These societies didn’t always have “equality” in modern terms, but the divine feminine was central not erased or shamed.

Shinto’s Feminine Kami (Japan)

Shinto, Japan’s indigenous spirituality, includes powerful feminine deities (kami), like:

-Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess, who brings light and order, a rare example of a female solar deity!

-Female priestesses (miko) performed sacred dances, rituals, and served as spiritual mediums.

Unfortunately Shinto later blended with Confucian patriarchy, its original forms honored feminine presence in nature and ritual.

Indigenous Beliefs (Americas, Africa, Oceania)

In many Indigenous worldviews, gender was not always binary or hierarchical:

-The Iroquois Confederacy had matrilineal societies; women chose leaders and owned property.

-In some West African traditions, goddesses like Oshun (love, fertility, rivers) are central, sensual, wise, and powerful.

-In Polynesian myth, goddesses like Pele (volcanoes, creation) show the awe of female power.

These belief systems often reflected balance, not domination.

Tantric and Yogic Traditions (India, Tibet) :

While mainstream Hinduism became patriarchal over time, Tantra and Shakta traditions kept the feminine divine alive:

-The goddess Shakti is seen as the primordial energy of the universe.

-In Tantric philosophy, the union of masculine (Shiva) and feminine (Shakti) is necessary for enlightenment, neither is higher.

This view embraces sensuality, intuition, and creation as sacred, not sinful.

Mystical Islam (Sufism)

While mainstream Islamic law became highly patriarchal, Sufi poetry and philosophy often honored the feminine as the soul, the beloved, the divine mystery.

-In Rumi’s writings, the “Beloved” is often feminine-coded, a symbol of beauty, grace, and longing.

-Some Sufi saints were women, healers, visionaries, and spiritual guides.

The mystical path softened rigid binaries and returned to love as a divine essence.

Celtic and Norse Traditions

-Celtic spirituality honored Brigid, a goddess of healing, poetry, and the hearth, later transformed into a saint to preserve her.

-Norse mythology includes goddesses like Freyja, who governs fertility, love, and war, not passive, but powerful.

These systems didn’t always resist patriarchy fully but carried a deep reverence for feminine force.

What all of these spiritualities have in common is not perfection, but presence, the presence of a divine feminine, the honoring of cycles, intuition, creativity, sensuality, and life-giving force.

They weren’t always utopias, but they didn’t demonize women or erase them from the sacred.

How about women's views?

Yes, it's quite ironic, and it’s a complex and layered issue but throughout history, some women did, indeed, support and perpetuate patriarchal systems, even when those systems oppressed them. This phenomenon can be explained by several factors, and it’s not limited to Confucian societies but can be observed across various cultures and periods.

Socialization and Internalization of Patriarchy:

- Cultural norms are deeply ingrained from a young age. In patriarchal societies, women are often socialized to accept their subordinate role and see it as "natural" or "normal." The values of obedience, modesty, and submissiveness are taught from childhood, and many women come to internalize these values believing that they are part of their natural destiny.

When something is normalized for so long, it becomes hard to question or resist, even for those who are oppressed by it.

The Perception of Protection and Security:

- For many women, patriarchy offered a sense of security. In societies where women's autonomy was severely limited, patriarchal structures often provided a form of protection (albeit in a limited and controlled way). Women might have seen the patriarchal system as a necessary structure to maintain stability or protect them from outside dangers.

- In many traditional societies, women were often financially and socially dependent on men, and patriarchy provided a framework for this dependence. A woman’s status and security were often linked to her relationship to men, her father, husband, or son.

Women’s Power Within the System:

- In many patriarchal societies, women still had power, but it was often subtle and within limited spheres. Some women, especially those of higher social status or aristocratic lineage, could hold influence within the domestic sphere or in court politics.

- By supporting patriarchy, these women may have been able to consolidate their power and preserve their status within the system.

By reinforcing traditional gender roles, some women could secure their position or even manipulate the system to their advantage.

Fear of Social Exclusion or Repercussions:

- Resistance to patriarchy often came with significant risks. Women who attempted to challenge patriarchal norms could be ostracized, punished, or marginalized. It could mean losing their social standing, safety, or even their family’s approval.

- As a result, many women conformed to the system because the consequences of non-compliance seemed too high. They might have feared isolation, poverty, or even violence if they spoke out or resisted patriarchal structures.

Ideological Control:

- Religious and philosophical teachings often helped legitimize and reinforce patriarchal systems. In some cases, women came to genuinely believe in the legitimacy of the patriarchal order because it was presented as a divine or natural law.

- The same goes for other religious systems, such as Christianity, Islam, or Hinduism, where women were often told that their subjugation was part of a divinely ordained order.

Reluctance to Change:

- Even though many women were oppressed by patriarchy, change often meant disruption and the unknown.

Some women might have been comfortable within the existing system, even if it was imperfect or oppressive. The stability provided by the social order could have felt safer than the uncertainty of challenging it.

Conclusion:

It’s a paradox that some women, even while suffering under patriarchal systems, supported or reinforced these structures. This phenomenon has roots in socialization, fear, and the ideological power of patriarchal and religious systems. Women often supported the system because it was so deeply ingrained in their lives, offering them security, status, and a sense of identity within a male-dominated society. However, it’s important to remember that many women did resist patriarchy and fought for women’s rights throughout history, often at great personal risk. The struggle for gender equality has always been complex, with different women navigating different challenges within the same oppressive system.

How about men ?

Not all men are in favor of patriarchy, but many men, especially those who benefit from it, have historically supported it.

Patriarchy has been deeply ingrained in many societies over centuries.

Men born into these systems might not even question them because it's the environment they know, and they often grow up with the idea that men's dominance is natural or justified. In this sense, many men might simply inherit the structures of power without necessarily questioning their fairness.

For some men, patriarchy represents security, a system where their social, economic, and political advantages are reinforced. Even if they aren't actively pushing for its continuation, they may feel resistant to any changes that could diminish their position in society.

On the other hand, there have always been men who resist patriarchy. These men may see the flaws in a system that not only harms women but also damages the broader society. Patriarchy doesn't just limit women's rights; it can also be restrictive for men, pushing them into narrow roles (e.g., the expectation to be the sole breadwinner, repress emotions, or uphold violence as a form of masculinity).

Throughout history, there have always been men who challenged sexist norms, advocated for women's rights, or simply treated women as equals in their personal lives. Some were philosophers, writers, religious figures, or even everyday allies who recognized the injustice of patriarchy.

Misogyny is rooted in systems, not just individuals. While many men benefited from those systems, sometimes without even realizing it, that doesn’t mean all men were actively promoting hatred or oppression of women.

In contrast, many men benefit from patriarchy, and thus may feel more inclined to support or uphold it, either consciously or unconsciously.

Some men may feel the pressure to protect these privileges, especially if they feel that gender equality might lead to a loss of status or power.

This is often where the resistance to feminism and gender equality is rooted, not necessarily in a hatred of women, but in fear of change to a system that benefits them.

There's misogyny in the religion but does it come from…. God?

The question of whether God wrote texts about women or whether they were written by men is deeply tied to how one views the origins of sacred texts and divinity. Many religious traditions hold that their scriptures are divinely inspired but still written by humans. This view would suggest that while God might have inspired these texts, the interpretations and words were still shaped by human authors, their cultures, and their perspectives.

The Role of Humans in Writing Sacred Texts.

- In many religious traditions, such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and others, humans are said to have written down the words of God. This implies that while God might have inspired these texts, the writers were still human beings. This is why many of the teachings reflect the cultural, social, and political contexts of the times in which they were written.

- The interpretation of divine will was, and still is, filtered through human perspectives. This often leads to gender roles and social norms that reflect the patriarchal structures of the societies where these texts were written.

Misogyny in Sacred Texts.

- Many sacred texts have verses that seem to reflect misogynistic ideas, like the subordination of women or gender-based restrictions. But it's crucial to remember that these ideas are often interpreted within the context of patriarchal societies that existed at the time.

- The Bible, for example, contains passages that seem to place women in subordinate roles (e.g., 1 Timothy 2:11-12, Genesis 3:16), but these ideas were influenced by the cultural and historical contexts in which the text was written, and later interpreted by male religious authorities.

- Similarly, in Islam, some interpretations of the Quran and Hadith have been used to justify gender roles and misogynistic practices, but these interpretations also reflect the cultural norms of the time and are shaped by the interpretations of male scholars and leaders.

The Influence of Patriarchy.

- Patriarchy has deeply influenced how religious texts have been interpreted and shaped throughout history. Since most religious leadership was historically controlled by men, it’s not surprising that texts were often interpreted in a way that reinforced male authority and female subjugation.

- In many cases, religious institutions have legitimized patriarchy through scripture and doctrine, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the divine will explicitly called for the oppression of women. It’s more likely that the human writers of these texts, influenced by the patriarchal societies they lived in, wrote the texts in a way that reflected those societal structures.

Can a Divine Being Have Written These Texts About Women?

- If one believes in a divine entity, it’s possible to argue that God may have communicated in ways that align with timeless truths. But even in that view, one could argue that the human writers shaped the way these messages were recorded.

- For example, if a divine message existed, it may have been filtered through the lens of the cultural context of the time. This could explain why texts that are often claimed to be divinely inspired sometimes reflect ideas that seem outdated or harmful to modern sensibilities, especially regarding gender.

So… Is it still “from God”?

That’s the heart of the struggle, right?

Maybe:

The essence came from something divine.

But what humans chose to write, highlight, enforce that part reflects their worldview.

And in ancient times, women had no voice, no pen, no role in shaping sacred texts. So naturally, those texts reflect men’s priorities, fears, and control systems.

In essence, while religions often present their scriptures as being divinely inspired, the texts themselves were still written by humans, and those humans were shaped by their historical and cultural contexts. Given the patriarchal structures of many ancient societies, it’s not surprising that many sacred texts reflect and reinforce gender roles that are now seen as problematic. The idea that these texts were directly written by God is a matter of faith and belief.

From a historical and critical perspective, though, it’s clear that human influence played a major role in how these texts were written, interpreted, and used to justify societal structures.

The core spiritual messages of most religions were not originally meant to be misogynistic.

Instead, religious texts and teachings often emerged in societies where patriarchal structures were already deeply entrenched.

As these religions grew and were interpreted over time, those existing societal norms such as patriarchy and the subjugation of women were often reinforced or even justified through religious teachings.

Men in power, interpreting these texts, may have shaped religious traditions in ways that served their interests, perpetuating gender inequality and often solidifying their own authority.

In many cases, religious doctrines became tools of control, and the way they were practiced or taught further entrenched gender-based discrimination.

The conclusion of this text could be that while the roots of misogyny may not be inherently embedded in the core of religious teachings, the interpretation and institutionalization of those beliefs through the lens of patriarchal societies has led to the gender inequality that many women still face today.

Not all religions or spiritual traditions have been built on the same patriarchal foundations as the major monotheistic religions.

It is important to note that the way religion is intertwined with gender roles is highly dependent on the culture and time period in which it evolves.

While many major religions have perpetuated patriarchy, other spiritual traditions offer different, more egalitarian or balanced perspectives.

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