Women and Religions

Most ancient belief systems placed women near or at the bottom of the social hierarchy. Women were required to follow the rules and responsibilities given to them in order to reinforce established systems of social patriarchy. Not only were they not accepted socially but most of their religions also encouraged them to be hidden away. In Ancient China all the followers of Confucianism believed women should have little or nothing to do with the religion. They should stick to their responsibilities in society and continue to remain faithful to their husbands. The belief in Buddhism allowed for women to have somewhat of an equal chance of enlightment, they were trying to achieve the same goal, Nirvana. In Christianity, men and the emperor did not come first in society. It was God. When this religion came about many women were willing to convert. Women wanted freedom, equality, dignity but most of all respect. They felt they deserved just as much peace, and happiness as their husbands had. All human beings were created equal. They were not put on Earth to be placed into different categories varying from gender and religion to wealth and race.

In China, women lived in a society dominated by men. They were not to take part in political aspects of society; they were to have no say either. Women were placed in Confucian society to bear a son for their husbands. China had a social hierarchy and they believed in a system of the five relations. In this system the father/son, ruler/subject, husband/ wife, elder brother/ younger brother, and friend/friend, all the relationships were to show the superiority of one compared to another. Women were extremely inferior to men. In the Chinese society women were to be kept at home, and even there they were put under many restrictions. During this time of oppression women turned to their faith and when that didn't support them, they began to write down their feelings, creating compositions to help other women carry out their lives. Women wrote these letters and guidelines for their daughters, and all other females suffering in society. These women were desperate to leave this cycle of deprivation but it was impossible. In A Confucian Poem: The Role Of Women written by Fu Xuan a Chinese poet and philosopher she tells of the characteristics of a Chinese women's place in society and what is expected of her. In this poem the author is very condescending to the opposite sex. He speaks as if it is shameful to be of the female gender. In this poem there is evidence of bias, it is written from a males point of view making it one sided. The poem "Lament of His-chГјn" is written also written by an unknown male. Although he is not living the life he is very knowledgeable on the topic of arranged marriages. He writes as if he is suffering the same problems and engulfed with the same emotions. Yes, there is bias because he is a male, but he is on the same side as the female. Arranged marriages were quite unfair. They were to marry husbands selected by their parents. Many times there was no love but these women in the Confucian society were required to have their children and remain faithful throughout the entire relationship. The poet wrote as if he really were going through life abiding by an arranged marriage. Both these documents do have a missing voice though. From the view of a princess a member of the upper class and a male a person of superiority does not give enough information about the common person. In the document by Ban Zhao a plentiful amount of advice is given to all women in society. Women have expectations that must be followed even if that means being self-deprecating. She is not bias because it is factual. Yes it may be her opinion on matters but she is actually living the life, suffering form these occurrences. A video or a documentary of more than one women's life from all different classes is needed for these poems and writing to be valid. Confucianism seemed to influence the society, and encouraged the system of patriarchy.

In Buddhism the dominant male figure is not emphasized. Gender roles were not all that important in their society. Buddha believed everyone should have the ability to reach individual enlightment. After all everyone had the same goal of reaching Nirvana. Men were given the right to become monks and women were given that equal right. Women could obtain a position as a nun. Yes, women may only be useful during the prime years of their lives varying from their teenage years to around middle age but while they are here they fulfill their goal of reaching Nirvana. Throughout their lifetimes they must remain faithful to their husbands at all time in order to have good karma. In this society women were expected to be trophy wives. In Buddhist Songs: The Stages of a Woman's Life found in Buddhist texts women go throughout their lives only wishing to please