According to "Pope Francis sets up commission to study question of women deacons" on the BBC News (2016), the Roman Catholic Church, whilst denying any suggestion that women might ever become priests, has been instructed by Pope Francis to set up a group to review the historical role of women in the church, with the possibility that church law will change to allow women to become deacons, which is one step below being a priest.
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My Yes/No question is:
Are all religions immorally sexist?
My answer is:
Yes, all religions seem morally wrong on this issue.
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| Suicide Squad has some wicked women. |
It appears that Hollywood's movie industry is a better guide to good morals than the 2,000 year old Christian religion, which continues to follow its ancient habit of keeping women in inferior positions. But when I read reports in the Bangkok Post and elsewhere, it is clear that Buddhism in the Thai version is just as bad: it does not seem to welcome women ordained as Buddhist nuns as the equals of monks. In the current controversy over the appointment of a new Supreme Patriarch for the Thai Buddhist sangha, could a woman possibly be considered? The language itself (at least in English) clearly says that no woman could possibly be chosen to lead Thai Buddhism - a patriarch is, by definition, a man. The Greek roots mean "father" and "ruler" (compare with monarch) which is why many Christian churches call their leaders patriarchs: there is no way a woman could be considered for such a position. And I think the traditional role that Islam assigns to women is well-known enough that I need not repeat that, So, it does seem to me that traditional religions are morally wrong in the sexist way they see and treat women. After thousands of years, human religions should have learned that such prejudice is wrong.
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| Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church |
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References
Jones, E. (2016, August 3). Will Smith's Suicide Squad explores nature of 'evil.' BBC News. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-36951329
Pope Francis sets up commission to study question of women deacons. (2016, August 2). BBC News. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36951554
I think that the sexual inequality in religion and other matters is the result of male dominant society. In the past, male was view as a warrior, as a conqueror. Female, on the contrary, played a role of farmers, and was responsible of raising children. This was true for most cultures. Because masculinity was viewed as an exclusive characteristics of male, it was easy for them to hold the power to themselves. It was easy to use it as an argument that woman can't be a good leader. This notion is politically incorrect. There are famous female leaders throughout the history such as Jeanne D'Arc, Eli Whitney, or Suphankanlaya, Princess of Thailand. I believe women and men in their nature are not that different. It is selfish to keep women from being prominent. I believe that if we tried we can fix these sexist problems, not limited to just the issue of religion.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that women are not treated as superior as men in the history of Buddhism. From the recorded scripture of the teaching made by Lord Buddha's disciples, Buddhas only men can be Buddha. Some preachers even said ones who are born as female are those who committed adultery or performed sexual misconducts in their previous lives. However,when talking about entering the state of enlightenment or being awaken both genders have equal chance to attain. I think the concept of sexual discrimination or equality do not exist in the past 2600 years. Likewise, the same mindset might occur in other religions too at that male dominant period.
ReplyDeleteIt's difficult for ask for an equality in our society. This isn't bother me so much. I don't want to think this way and feel that it is normal. If you ask me weather i want to change this or make it better, my answer will be yes. But I feel I'm too small to make any change. As long as it not getting worse, this still acceptable for me.
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