religion

Reply 1

Amy Levine is overly optimistic regarding women’s status in religion. She states that religion denotes that women should tend to men's roles, although they should also choose their paths (Levine). Females should not be perceived as ignorant of choosing particular positions in religious groups. Women should value themselves and familiarize themselves with the religion they choose and the readings so that they can be motivated to be independent of men. Nevertheless, I agree with the author’s claims. Religion is not the problem. The issue is the tendency to substitute extreme cases for the display that is a religious practice. Besides, the issue is that many people do not know their own religious tradition's resources, let alone the religious resources of their neighbors. Thus, they finally blame religion instead of learning it. Besides, they can perhaps be motivated by it.

The female gender in Asia, India, and the Middle East still struggle to be independent religious leaders. They are often treated unfairly, unlike their male counterparts. However, we cannot blame religion for bringing such issues. For instance, the BBC News media reported that Islam's holy book, the Quran, does not force women to dress in veils. It is a decision that people make (Mateen). Women should study and clearly understand the readings of their religions to understand their rights. Women's role in India is perceived as supporting the family's livelihood. The BBC News media showed Indian women assuming vital roles in the family’s religious activities (Pandey). The information in this article enlightened me. It offers better knowledge regarding the challenges that women experience in the contemporary world. Generally, I believe that both men and women should continue to fight for women’s rights in all life areas, including the social, economic, religious, and political arenas.

Reply 2

I think that the author is stating that we shouldn't blame religion in regards to discrimination or gender inequality. But unfortunately religious beliefs are the main cause for female discrimination. The only aspect where religion doesn't come into play is during the 1950's where society suggested that women would be homemakers and men would be providers. But even that stems from biblical texts. Because women have always been made to be nurturers and to take care of their husbands. And men have been portrayed to be the financial providers who brought home the bread and butter. Basically the author is stating that women have the religious freedom to choose their beliefs and practices. That if they are being submissive to their husbands it is because the bible says so and they choose to honor their beliefs. Same thing with the example of the hijab signifying modesty. Women choose to cover their hair because they believe that it is the right thing to do. My reaction to this article is that some women don't have some religious freedoms. If you go to certain countries in the middle east whether you choose to believe or honor that religion the laws state that you cannot do certain things. Currently we are experiencing the overturning of Roe vs Wade. And whether people want to admit it or not the morality and social issue regarding abortion stems from religious beliefs. Denying birth control, abortion, and other forms of emergency contraception is being done in the name of religion. I do agree with the fact that some women choose to honor their religion and maybe it fulfills them to do certain things based on what their religion allows. But I also feel that when religions mix with politics or laws that we lose that freedom. What was once a choice now becomes an obligation. So as much as the author might feel that women are not being discriminated because of religion, that is false. Religion is the root cause as to where these beliefs come from. 

By Amy-Jill Levine | 09:22 PM ET, 04/15/2011 Source: The Washington Post, in Guest Voices: Other Views on Faith and Its Impact on the News Posted at 09:22 PM ET, 04/15/2011