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Women v. Religion: The Case Against Faith―and for Freedom
Throughout history, religion has been used as a tool of female subjugation. Women have been deemed less worthy than men, have been prevented from owning property, and worse—all in the name of a higher power. In recent decades, women have made progress in terms of equal rights with men, at least in Western democracies, but still, why has the United States never had a female president? Why aren’t more women heads of Fortune 500 companies? Why do politicians in the West continue to attack women’s reproductive rights? As this volume explores, it would be hard to find a bigger culprit than religion when identifying the last cultural barriers to full gender equality. With topics ranging from the subjugation of women in the Bible to the shame and guilt felt by women due to religious teaching, this volume makes clear that only by rejecting the very system that limits their autonomy will women be fully liberated from its malignant influences, not just in codified law but also in cultural practice.
224 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 29, 2020
“The impulse of men to own women would be there whether they believed in god or not. It’s just that it might be a bit harder to persuade female babies that they should be owned by men, if they were not told that god wants it to be true. ...getting rid of the idea of the supernatural is one step - only one, but a very important one, perhaps the first one, perhaps the biggest one - on the road to emancipation.” ~Christopher Hitchens
No words of mine could elevate this book more than those written herein by the women who speak out against religious subjugation, or by the words of men (including those written in the Bible) that seek to sustain it:
“Supernatural shackles on our minds have replaced iron shackles around our ankles, and through religious misogynistic indoctrination, women are taught to enslave themselves for men’s benefit. The subjugation of women and children is not an unfortunate side effect of religion - it is religion’s purpose.” ~Lauri Weissman
• for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake. 1 Corinthians 11:9
• How then can a man be just with God? Or how can he be clean who is born of woman? Job 25:4
• For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. 1 Corinthians 11:7
• Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings. Proverbs 31:3
“Digging into the Bible searching for truth was like putting my fingers deep into a sandcastle. It fell apart.” ~Alexis Record
“Even if women wear themselves out or die from childbearing - no harm done. Let them die from bearing. This is the purpose for which they exist.” ~Martin Luther
• Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 1 Corinthians 14:34
“The visceral disgust toward women that oozes out of so many Bible texts has echoed down through history in the attitudes and words of Christian leaders - from Catholic Fathers, to Protestant Reformers, to modern leaders of sects like Mormonism and Evangelicalism ...for the church to justify subjugation of women - to make chattel culture righteous - women had to be defined as inferior: morally weak, spiritually debased, physically defective, promiscuous, and stupid.” ~Valerie Tarico, PhD
“Those who conform to all the privileges and niceties of culture invariably reject those who do not. In a strange sort of way, the privilege of rejection heightens the senses of those outside the circle’s influence. We have time to consider things more deeply. We see better. And once we’ve removed our culturally attuned lenses, what we see when looking at the church is a hierarchical, self-preserving, bigoted, chauvinistic institution dulled by successive generations of leaders whose circumcised intellect prevented them from exploring beyond their own reiterated dogma and canonical laws.* Once you see it, those scales, you know... they don’t just fall; they crash.” ~Gretta Vosper (*referencing Friedrich Nietzsche)
No words of mine could elevate this book more than those written herein by the women who speak out against religious subjugation, or by the words of men (including those written in the Bible) that seek to sustain it:
“Supernatural shackles on our minds have replaced iron shackles around our ankles, and through religious misogynistic indoctrination, women are taught to enslave themselves for men’s benefit. The subjugation of women and children is not an unfortunate side effect of religion - it is religion’s purpose.” ~Lauri Weissman
• for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake. 1 Corinthians 11:9
• How then can a man be just with God? Or how can he be clean who is born of woman? Job 25:4
• For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. 1 Corinthians 11:7
• Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings. Proverbs 31:3
“Digging into the Bible searching for truth was like putting my fingers deep into a sandcastle. It fell apart.” ~Alexis Record
“Even if women wear themselves out or die from childbearing - no harm done. Let them die from bearing. This is the purpose for which they exist.” ~Martin Luther
• Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 1 Corinthians 14:34
“The visceral disgust toward women that oozes out of so many Bible texts has echoed down through history in the attitudes and words of Christian leaders - from Catholic Fathers, to Protestant Reformers, to modern leaders of sects like Mormonism and Evangelicalism ...for the church to justify subjugation of women - to make chattel culture righteous - women had to be defined as inferior: morally weak, spiritually debased, physically defective, promiscuous, and stupid.” ~Valerie Tarico, PhD
“Those who conform to all the privileges and niceties of culture invariably reject those who do not. In a strange sort of way, the privilege of rejection heightens the senses of those outside the circle’s influence. We have time to consider things more deeply. We see better. And once we’ve removed our culturally attuned lenses, what we see when looking at the church is a hierarchical, self-preserving, bigoted, chauvinistic institution dulled by successive generations of leaders whose circumcised intellect prevented them from exploring beyond their own reiterated dogma and canonical laws.* Once you see it, those scales, you know... they don’t just fall; they crash.” ~Gretta Vosper (*referencing Friedrich Nietzsche)
July 18, 2022
Page 198 (my book) 1 Timothy 2:11-12
Let a woman learn in silence with full submission. I permit no woman to teach or have authority over a man; she is to keep silent.
Page 87
It doesn’t take a bunch of studies to see sexism in religion. All we have to do is look at the dearth of women in positions of authority within the major institutions to get an idea of how they are viewed.
This is a collection of 13 essays by women on how religion is detrimental to female autonomy and empowerment. Religion relegates them to 2nd class citizenry.
The three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) contain passages in their texts denigrating female anatomy and physiology. Menstruation and virginity are an obsession. Female sexual pleasure, even in marriage, is forbidden. It's all about control and containment – women are male possessions and their primary role is to have babies – preferably a male one.
Page 52
Purity culture places immense guilt and shame on young woman who display sexual desire and sexual agency.
Page 56
Religion’s obsession with female anatomy is not incidental – it is definitional.
Page 55
In the guise of praising modesty or protecting men’s character, women are induced to cover their bodies and sacrifice their individuality.
I have read other more vociferous books on this subject by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Christopher Hitchens, and the like. For the most part, I did not find these articles of great interest. To use an odd turn of phrase – they were preaching to the choir, of which I am a devout member.
Many articles were U.S. based and focused on those branches of religion that believe in the inerrancy of Biblical texts. While there are many who believe this, there are also Christians who do not, and who are much more accepting of diverse points of view that contradict sacred texts. Hillary Clintons’ support of abortion rights is one example. I felt the articles were too much on the extremists or true believers.
Some essays were repetitive. I am more interested in the treatment of women in our present circumstances. Some articles provided a history of how women have been disenfranchised. This is nothing new. Women in the United States and France were not part of the fine words like “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” or “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”.
Other essays discussed how vulnerable children are to religious indoctrination and how religious schools prohibit critical thinking. These were indeed valid and good points.
From my perspective, I could never understand why people put so much credence (faith) into stories written so long ago – in an era having little to do with our current technological and cultural advances. The statements of “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights” have little to do with the three Abrahamic religions which condone slavery, misogyny, child labour, forced marriages…
There is only one article on Islam and a powerful one on Judaism.
Let a woman learn in silence with full submission. I permit no woman to teach or have authority over a man; she is to keep silent.
Page 87
It doesn’t take a bunch of studies to see sexism in religion. All we have to do is look at the dearth of women in positions of authority within the major institutions to get an idea of how they are viewed.
This is a collection of 13 essays by women on how religion is detrimental to female autonomy and empowerment. Religion relegates them to 2nd class citizenry.
The three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) contain passages in their texts denigrating female anatomy and physiology. Menstruation and virginity are an obsession. Female sexual pleasure, even in marriage, is forbidden. It's all about control and containment – women are male possessions and their primary role is to have babies – preferably a male one.
Page 52
Purity culture places immense guilt and shame on young woman who display sexual desire and sexual agency.
Page 56
Religion’s obsession with female anatomy is not incidental – it is definitional.
Page 55
In the guise of praising modesty or protecting men’s character, women are induced to cover their bodies and sacrifice their individuality.
I have read other more vociferous books on this subject by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Christopher Hitchens, and the like. For the most part, I did not find these articles of great interest. To use an odd turn of phrase – they were preaching to the choir, of which I am a devout member.
Many articles were U.S. based and focused on those branches of religion that believe in the inerrancy of Biblical texts. While there are many who believe this, there are also Christians who do not, and who are much more accepting of diverse points of view that contradict sacred texts. Hillary Clintons’ support of abortion rights is one example. I felt the articles were too much on the extremists or true believers.
Some essays were repetitive. I am more interested in the treatment of women in our present circumstances. Some articles provided a history of how women have been disenfranchised. This is nothing new. Women in the United States and France were not part of the fine words like “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” or “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”.
Other essays discussed how vulnerable children are to religious indoctrination and how religious schools prohibit critical thinking. These were indeed valid and good points.
From my perspective, I could never understand why people put so much credence (faith) into stories written so long ago – in an era having little to do with our current technological and cultural advances. The statements of “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights” have little to do with the three Abrahamic religions which condone slavery, misogyny, child labour, forced marriages…
There is only one article on Islam and a powerful one on Judaism.
November 5, 2018
Wow – I think that that should be required reading for each politician and each religious leader of any faith! The book really has three "beefs" with religion:
1) women overall get the short shrift by each one of the three Abrahamic religions at least.
2) abuse of children by religion is rampant.
3) the whole supernatural being and story has the goal of retaining power for the leaders, and nothing else!
So many beliefs and myths are brought out as what they are: tools for securing and retaining power of the men and excuses for abominable activities to both women and children and really anyone else!
I wasn't that fond of the final essay because, although it had a good story and wonderful message, my own feeling is that it didn't fit in with the total examination.
1) women overall get the short shrift by each one of the three Abrahamic religions at least.
2) abuse of children by religion is rampant.
3) the whole supernatural being and story has the goal of retaining power for the leaders, and nothing else!
So many beliefs and myths are brought out as what they are: tools for securing and retaining power of the men and excuses for abominable activities to both women and children and really anyone else!
I wasn't that fond of the final essay because, although it had a good story and wonderful message, my own feeling is that it didn't fit in with the total examination.
June 11, 2018
I reviewed this book here: https://turnthepagelisa.com/2018/06/1...
January 21, 2019
Best book ever
February 4, 2022
This book is a series of essays written by different authors arguing that, overall, religion has not been beneficial to women. As with most compilations, some of the essays are more interesting than others, but overall they are very good. I read this book with my Sunday school class, and it elicited some good discussions.
November 23, 2018
This is a collection of 13 essays about women who have left patriarchal religion and how leaving their religious affiliations affected them.
For those who use the church as their primary social outlet, it will be harder to leave unless they have built up a secular support group, as they will probably either be hounded to come back, or shunned for thinking on their own and making their own decisions.
It's amazing what happens when women finally realize that their church, their religion, is used primarily as a tool to dominate women and children. It's really good for the man, for the woman not so much. And how we, as women raised in a culture where the dominant religion has carried through since the bronze age, have been taught since we were wee little ones what our place is, and what our role is, and woe unto any of us who decides to use our brain and think on our own!
If you as woman are tired of being blamed for all the ills of men, I highly recommend this book. When a man can't keep his pants zipped, it's the woman's fault. All because of a bronze age war god who hated women then, and hates them still.
The essays are written by women who are recovering Christians, Jews, and Muslims. One is by a trans, and one by an atheist minister! Some of these essays will make you angry, some will make you sad, and scattered throughout are snippets of humor to make you laugh. All will give you grist to chew on and think about. If you are still subjugating yourself to a male god (and a male human), I strongly recommend you read this book.
For those who use the church as their primary social outlet, it will be harder to leave unless they have built up a secular support group, as they will probably either be hounded to come back, or shunned for thinking on their own and making their own decisions.
It's amazing what happens when women finally realize that their church, their religion, is used primarily as a tool to dominate women and children. It's really good for the man, for the woman not so much. And how we, as women raised in a culture where the dominant religion has carried through since the bronze age, have been taught since we were wee little ones what our place is, and what our role is, and woe unto any of us who decides to use our brain and think on our own!
If you as woman are tired of being blamed for all the ills of men, I highly recommend this book. When a man can't keep his pants zipped, it's the woman's fault. All because of a bronze age war god who hated women then, and hates them still.
The essays are written by women who are recovering Christians, Jews, and Muslims. One is by a trans, and one by an atheist minister! Some of these essays will make you angry, some will make you sad, and scattered throughout are snippets of humor to make you laugh. All will give you grist to chew on and think about. If you are still subjugating yourself to a male god (and a male human), I strongly recommend you read this book.
February 6, 2022
This book is a collection of essays about how religious teachings have contributed to the subjugation and denigration of women over hundreds of years. Each author puts her own spin on the same truth. For about the first half of the book, I am totally on board. However, it begins to be a bit tedious, and the word “Overkill” comes to mind.
October 16, 2022
3.5, liked it.
Some main points and ideas felt repetitive, despite this being a collection of essays from various authors.
But overall, these are well-written essays that provide perspective from a diversity of viewpoints.
Some main points and ideas felt repetitive, despite this being a collection of essays from various authors.
But overall, these are well-written essays that provide perspective from a diversity of viewpoints.
February 11, 2024
great book
It’s long, but well written. I felt seen finally by non religious people.
My primary criticism:
There is a single quote by the author of the HP series. I don’t agree with it being in the book, however this book was written before she showed her true colors.
It’s long, but well written. I felt seen finally by non religious people.
My primary criticism:
There is a single quote by the author of the HP series. I don’t agree with it being in the book, however this book was written before she showed her true colors.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews