Sacred or Sexist?
1posted 21st February, 2011 under Food for Thought.
The Text That Needs to Be Read Between the Lines
Could one of the most considerably sacred, influential and best-selling book in history be responsible for shaping gender roles in society?
If you haven’t obtained a copy of the Bible yet, go out and get one. But be prepared for a bit of biblical sexism. It begins in the first pages when Eve picks the forbidden fruit, resulting in her and Adam’s condemnation from the Garden of Eden. Apparently, the story of our supposed ancestors’ beginnings begins with a small parable blaming the woman for man’s demise.
No need to get your panties in a bunch over that part of the parable. If anything, Eve’s defiance shows her curiosity and courage, both admirable qualities that some of the most influential people in the world have possessed…however, if you’re a female, your panties will really be bunched after you hear how Eve was punished!
God says to Eve, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labour you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” What about period pains? Was that memo left out?
Biblical sexism doesn’t end with Adam and Eve’s story; that really seems to be the beginning of it. In Corinthians 11:3- 11, it states,” Men and women are equal beings just as Christ and God are equal, but the woman is subordinate.”
Equal but subordinate-isn’t that a paradox? If that were a math equation it would read A=B; A > B. Now, even the most mathematically challenged person will agree-that just doesn’t sum up!
Ok, I may not a Bible touting broad and I do not discriminate any person that does. But I must admit that I am baffled at the obvious gender oppression demonstrated in the Bible and there is quite a lot of it. If there was one thing I thought was noteworthy in the Bible it was The Ten Commandments, however, after really evaluating the tenth one I may reconsider:
“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s”
Basically, women are being referred to as a possession of a man, similar to his cattle. This may sound archaic, but this idea still rings true today for many women worlwide. In fact, numerous polls have found that women on a whole are much more resentful than their male counterpart. Feeling like a possession more than an equal partner is one of their reasons in addition to their pay wage (on average it is 23% less than men) as well as the limited help they receive around the house and overall obligations.
Unfortunately, there are even worse statistics about gender oppression. The United Nations believes that violence against women is one of the most prevalent forms of human rights abuse around the world.
Though I don’t want to blame these sexist statistics on the Bible, there could be a correlation between the two. Just looking at the gender roles of religious denominations, which strongly rely on the Bible, women are barely in any position of leadership. ..Think about it, when was the last time you saw a female priest, rabbi or pastor?
If the Bible is the one of the most influential and best selling text dating back around 4th century BC and through its revered pages sexism is inked, then surely, it could have influenced social norms and gender roles. And in many parts of the world, a women’s role is to be submissive and subordinate to a man.
Femmefile readers, this is a provocative topic that definitely needs additional opinions…what is your say? Do you think there is sexism in the Bible?
23 February 2011
Just saw that you stated the the Bible was written around the fourth century BC. Just thought I’d give you these dates for clarification.
When was the Bible written and who wrote it?
by Matt Slick
The following dates are not always exact, but are very good estimates.
Old Testament
Book Author Date Written
Genesis Moses ? – 1445 B.C.
Exodus Moses 1445 – 1405 B.C.
Leviticus Moses 1405 B.C.
Numbers Moses 1444 – 1405 B.C.
Deuteronomy Moses 1405 B.C.
Joshua Joshua 1404-1390 B.C.
Judges Samuel 1374-1129 B.C.
Ruth Samuel 1150? B.C.
First Samuel Samuel 1043-1011 B.C.
Second Samuel Ezra? 1011-1004 B.C.
First Kings Jeremiah? 971-852 B.C.
Second Kings Jeremiah? 852-587 B.C.
First Chronicles Ezra? 450 – 425 B.C.
Second Chronicles Ezra? 450 – 425 B.C.
Ezra Ezra 538-520 B.C.
Nehemiah Nehemiah 445 – 425 B.C.
Esther Mordecai? 465 B.C.
Job Job? ??
Psalms David 1000? B.C.
Sons of Korah wrote Psalms 42, 44-49, 84-85, 87; Asaph wrote Psalms 50, 73-83; Heman wrote Psalm 88; Ethan wrote Psalm 89; Hezekiah wrote Psalms 120-123, 128-130, 132, 134-136;
Solomon wrote Psalms 72, 127.
Proverbs Solomon wrote 1-29
Agur wrote 30
Lemuel wrote 31 950 – 700 B.C.
Ecclesiastes Solomon 935 B.C.
Song of Solomon Solomon 965 B.C.
Isaiah Isaiah 740 – 680 B.C.
Jeremiah Jeremiah 627 – 585 B.C.
Lamentations Jeremiah 586 B.C.
Ezekiel Ezekiel 593-560 B.C.
Daniel Daniel 605-536 B.C.
Hosea Hosea 710 B.C.
Joel Joel 835 B.C.
Amos Amos 755 B.C.
Obadiah Obadiah 840 or 586 B.C.
Jonah Jonah 760 B.C.
Micah Micah 700 B.C.
Nahum Nahum 663 – 612 B.C.
Habakkuk Habakkuk 607 B.C.
Zephaniah Zephaniah 625 B.C.
Haggai Haggai 520 B.C.
Zechariah Zechariah 520 – 518 B.C.
Malachi Malachi 450 – 600 B.C.
New Testament
Book Author Date Written (A.D)
Matthew Matthew 60′s
Mark John Mark late 50′s
early 60′s
Luke Luke 60
John John late 80′s
early 90′s
Acts Luke 61
Romans Paul 55
1 Corinthians Paul 54
2 Corinthians Paul 55
Galatians Paul 49
Ephesians Paul 60
Philippians Paul 61
Colossians Paul 60
1 Thessalonians Paul 50 – 51
2 Thessalonians Paul 50 – 51
1 Timothy Paul 62
2 Timothy Paul 63
Titus Paul 62
Philemon Paul 60
Hebrews (Paul, Apollos, Barnabas…?) 60′s
James James, half brother of Jesus 40′s or 50′s
1 Peter Peter 63
2 Peter Peter 63 – 64
1 John John late 80′s
early 90′s
2 John John late 80′s
early 90′s
3 John John late 80′s
early 90′s
Jude Jude, half brother of Jesus 60′s or 70′s
Revelation John late 80′s
early 90′s