Classical civilization and systems borrowed from religious and cultural ideas as a way of legitimating gender and class inequality. During the classical ear of civilization, most of the cultural beliefs were inherent reflections of the religious beliefs enshrined in the doctrines of either Christianity or Islam (Strayer, 2012).
For instance, Christianity formed a basis of developing inherent beliefs during the antiquity, especially the period preceding the collapse of the Roman Empire. Christian beliefs always portrayed women as lesser mortals than men. This followed the infamous belief on mandatory subordination for women, especially after marriage. Christianity demands that women should respect, and remain subordinate to their husbands .
In fact, the Christina doctrine relates to the male as being a representative of God in households. By virtue of leading the family, then men act representatives of God. Therefore, classical civilization systems that borrowed from Christianity would restrict the roles of women. As such, gender inequality became justified through the Christian doctrines.
Similarly, the Islamic religion disempowers women by creating specific roles for them. Islam considers women as mere tools for propagation of life with the ability to bring forth a child being attributed to the man. Women were to swathe their heads as a means of subordination to the males. This brought about inferiority and superiority complex among women and men, with marginalization of women. Islamic regions, especially during the antiquity, restricted the roles of women to cooking and procreation. Men would assume leadership positions. The cultural beliefs became a mirror of the Islamic doctrines. Therefore, any person deviating from the be...
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...ss and gender inequality based on rationalism. For instance, Aristotle developed the infamous ideal that some human beings were slaves by default (Strayer, 2012). Therefore, it was in their best interest for them to be enslaved. This belief coupled with the ideal that women were a representation of infertile men led to inequalities in gender and class.
In conclusion, the classical civilization borrowed significantly from religion in developing cultural practices. As such, most Islamic and Christian regions often developed class and gender inequalities. In areas where religion had minimal influence, then culture was defined by philosophical ideals.
The Bible requires that women must remain subordinate to the man who is the head of the family.
Classical civilization was the period centered on the Mediterranean Sea, relevant to Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome.
Throughout most of early European history, women were viewed as inferior to men. Roman law described women as children, forever inferior to men. Christian theology continued to perpetuate these views over the centuries. In the 4th century St Jerome of the
Religion and philosophy greatly affect life in many different cultures. Some of these cultures include those of the Ancient Indians and Ancient Chinese.
To say that the religious power of women was reduced, is of course, to suggest that they held power in first place. In the early Christian church, women had great influence, and in fact held several offices: deaconess, widow, presbyter, and wives of clergy. Praying for the congregation, instructing female catechumens, baptizing women, teaching doctrine, and consecrating the Eucharist were just some of the responsibilities of these early female church officials (Ute, 53). But by approximately 750 C.E. women had lost these major roles in the Church, as well as the power and influence they once had.
In Women, Church, God: A Socio-Biblical Study, Caleb Rosado uses a socio-biblical approach to discuss the role of women in the church today and how they were treated in the Bible, during the patriarchal times. Rosado looks at the connection between what people believe now, their culture, and how they treat women in regards to how one perceives God. This book contains ten chapters in which several topics are discussed, including the nature of God, the treatment of women in the Bible, patrimonialism, servitude, and servanthood.
Throughout history, it is clear that men are usually seen to be advantaged by the logic of domination while females tend to be disadvantaged. Whether it be in the workplace, household, or even the bible men have always been inferior to women. Through history, cultural norms and stereotypes gender roles were created and have been present throughout society. Although it is believed that males are more advantaged than females the texts Eve and Adam: Genesis 2-3 Reread by Phyllis Trible and The Creation and Fall of Man and Woman explain how men and woman are in fact equal and maybe even disadvantaged by these cultural arrangements. Therefore, throughout history it is clear that gender discourses would allow one to believe that men are advantaged
The classical period was a time of major economic growth, and for the first time we saw a miniature type of globalization, at least in the eastern hemisphere. The expanding governments built farther and stronger roads to help develop long-distance trade. The merchants carrying the goods carried with them their religious background. They found converts of all types in all places, and spiritual thought became one of the most important themes of the time. These Religions would remain in place as powerful institutions, and the economic strategies developed would only be expanded on until this very present day.
Daily life was influenced in both Ancient India and China because of religion and philosophies. Their well being, their beliefs, and their caste system were affected by religion and philosophies.
The first religion and its views on women that will be discussed in this essay is Islam. Islam is a religions founded in Saudi Arabia almost two thousand years ago, by the prophet Muhammad. In fact, Muhammad dedicated much attention towards women in the Koran, the holy book of Islam. However, even though much was dedicated to women in the Koran, it was not dedicated to them in the sense of equality. Women in Islamic culture were apparently much lower on the totem pole than men, "The men are made responsible for the women, since God endowed them with certain qualities, and made them the bread earners...If you experience opposition from the women, you shall first talk to them, then [you may use such negative incentives as] deserting them in bed, then you may beat them (129)." Excerpt...
Women were treated as second class citizens. They were willfully ignored by members of the Christianity and Despite the patriarchal society from the biblical days, God is taught as being just as much a Mother as God is a Father (102). The willful ignorance of religious scholars of the time just show that they were making a conscious effort of trying to keep women from retaining any power that they had. This relegation of religious roles in an effort to keep Men in power is a poor example of how Christianity is a religion which promotes for the love and care of all people, no matter their status. The interpretation of God from these times clash severely with my notions of what is now considered to be an all-loving entity.
...f women and responsibilities. Therefore, women should not be leaders in church. Historians, doctors, and other religious leader, may contribute their research, perspectives, beliefs, and thoughts, but that is nothing more than their opinions. The Bible, on the other hand, is the book of life and is the most reliable source of them all. It is the way God is speaking to his people directly. Many other religions like Judaism and Catholic shares the same characteristics mentioned here. The best way to view this issue is to not see it equally a political/economic standpoint but church structural. One thing for sure women cannot be priests, pastors, and rabbis. One can choose to listen and be doer of his word or one can procrastinate all his or her life and deny the truth. No matter how one might consider a woman’s role in the church, there is only one truth and one God.
Gender roles have been a predominant factor in our world since the early emergence of human societies whether they are positive or negative. They are based on expectations that societies have over the people in them. The Epic of Sunjata, shows us how men and women are treated almost equally in different forms. Women are praised for their ability to birth leaders, which is similar to the early Greek Society. In most societies, women are treated less equal than men. This was prevalent in the early Indian society. No matter the gender role, it has been shown that any society cannot survive without both men and women.
During the era known as the time of the classical civilizations, there were numerous noticeable changes occurring in many civilizations and city-states around the world. In India, China, and Persia in particular, one could see the influence of religion and philosophy on the political and social structure of the time.
The emergence and spread of the Christian faith influenced the Western civilization significantly, particularly between BC and AD when most civilizations based their leadership and divinity on Christianity. The Biblical truth was more pronounced in the Greco-Roman civilization than other previous civilizations. The present Western lifestyle and culture controls a significant chunk of the attributes that were derived from ancient Western civilization. This paper explores the evolution of the western civilizations in relation to the lineage attributes, influence of the Christian faith, and the impact of the contemporary West on the attributes of the western civilizations (Noble,
Interpretations of the Bible are influential to our society because in the United States, approximately eighty-three percent of the population is Christian, according to a poll performed by ABC News. Perhaps the Bible is written with women subservient to men because the very story of creation is written as such. Genesis serves as the foundation of not only our universe, but also the religious text. In the biblical story of creation, Adam came first, then came the animals, and then last of all came Eve, putting the origin of women last. Then, it is Eve who is vulnerable enough for evil to deceive her into taking the apple and she who persuades Adam to follow her example. This sets up a basis that women are inherently weak and sinful for the rest of the faith to be built upon. (Stanton)
The role of women in religious scripture dictates an inferior position in society. Beginning with the creation of Adam and then Eve, as his helpmate. Her purpose was that Adam would not be lonely. This origin provides the ground work for inequality of genders on the basis of religious scripture. The roles prescribed determined that women should be in a subordinate position to man. The female role and relationship with God is defined by the various books of the Old and New Testaments, the reported actions of Jesus Christ, and finally the Qur'an.