Subject: [AthofSV] Misogyny, monotheism, sexism, patriarchy, Religions, Inc., etc

From: "Jim Bill" <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 11 Mar 2005 18:01:02 -1000

Since March is Woman's Herstory Month, I think it is appropriate for us to talk about and think about patriarchy, "headship." misogyny, sexism, etc and the herstorical persecution, oppression, suppression and subjugation of women.   If we can relate all or much of this to Religions, Inc. and the bible, so much the better!

Did you know that the Roman Catholic Church has actually admitted its mistreatment of women (and Jews and Galileo)?  And Pope John Paul asked for forgiveness.  See: 

http://cbc.ca/cgi-bin/templates/view.cgi?/news/2000/03/12/pope000312

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/cti_documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20000307_memory-reconc-itc_en.html

If you check out the www.dictionary.com definition of misogyny, this is what comes up:
  Hatred of women: "Every organized patriarchal religion works overtime to contribute its own brand of misogyny" (Robin Morgan). 
Sometimes the term "male supremacy" is clearer than "misogyny."

I think that the rise of monotheism has contributed to the persecution, oppression and subjugation of women and patriarchy.

With polytheism, there are some women gods.  With monotheism, the gods tend to be male.  Thus, misogyny and male supremacy result.  Having one god also concentrates power and promotes hierarchy.

We know that the Xtian bible is not a good historical (or herstorical) record.   But to the extent that it documents history, it records a few thousand years of anti women thinking, feeling and acts.  And this misogyny has been clearly fostered by the doctrines and teachings of Xtian Religions, inc.  (Of course we can't let the Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist or any other religions off the hook.  There is plenty of blame to go around!

Eventually, we can even show that homophobia is strongly related to misogyny and sexism.  How about that?

See:

Homophobia : A Weapon of Sexism/Includes Afterword and Annotated Bibliography
by Suzanne Pharr

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1890759015/qid=1110599669/sr=1-7/ref=sr_1_7/002-6667687-6115206?v=glance&s=books