Islam
In the past, for Muslim women living in Europe, discrimination occured on two levels. Discrimination occured from the exterior society especially when looking for a job, in the workplace or at school and moreso for Muslim women who chose to wear the headscarf. Besides, the real discrimination also existed between men and women at home and within the family structure. Many Muslim women were forbidden to work by their husbands and some were married against their wishes.
However, nowadays, looking into the Islamic gender discourse, on realise that men and women are equally treated by Allah in terms of their rights and responsibilities either in this life or in the life to come. They are awarded the same for their good deeds or punished the same for the bad ones. Allah commanded the believers to offer their children the same chances of life such as education and health care. Men and women receive the same salaries for the jobs they do. They share equal responsibilities of bringing up their children and the housework. This shows that there is no gender discrimination among the Islamic believers.
Spiritual Equality of Women and Men
"Allah has got ready forgiveness and tremendous rewards for the Muslim men and women; the believing men and women; the devout men and women; the truthful men and women; the patiently suffering men and women; the humble men and women; the almsgiving men and women; the fasting men and women, the men and women who guard their chastity; and the men and women who are exceedingly mindful of Allah." (Al-Ahzab 33:35)
"Treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers."(From the last sermon of Prophet Mohammed)
Sylvia
In Christianity, it does not mention clearly whether it is against gender discrimination or not, but, there are some passages from the bible which show that Christianity disallows gender discrimination. God created us for some reason and every one of us is unique to Him. His believers are like His own children. It would be sad if we are discriminating one another just because we have the different gender, thinking that what kind of job is only suitable for which particular gender of person to do. When God created us, He was hoping that we would love one another and we would not practice gender discrimination.
However, in the early years, the statuses of women as described in Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) are very low. They are often being described in negative terms such as sexual predators, deceitful and untrustworthy. For example, in one of the passages from the bible, Genesis 39:7-20: Potiphar was an official in the court of the Pharaoh. His wife unsuccessfully attempted to seduce Joseph (THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES: Old Testament passages describing women in negative terms; as equal to men; & as leaders). She later falsely accused him of attempting to rape her, and had him arrested. From this passage, it shows that the woman was described as someone who was bad and troublesome.
But, there are also some passages from the Old Testament that mention women were also being viewed as equal to men and were described as leaders. Therefore, it shows that Christianity also respects women and gives women the equal right as men. For example, in the passage from the bible, Exodus 21:32: A slave owner would receive equal compensation if an ox gored one of his slaves, whether the victim was male or female (THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES: Old Testament passages describing women in negative terms; as equal to men; & as leaders). From this passage, it shows that both man and woman have equal value. It is mentioned that it does not matter if the victim is a male or a female; the slave owner would receive equal compensation. The slave owner would not receive more compensation if the victim is a female or less amount of compensation if the victim is a male or vice versa. It simply means that both woman and man have the same value of life and should be treated equally.
Plus, in the modern days, the statuses of women have been improved bit by bit in the view of Christianity. They are gaining equality slowly. In the Episcopal Church in the western country, they have elected Right Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori to be its Presiding Bishop, and the first female Primate of the Anglican Communion. Thus, it shows that women’s statuses are higher than in the early years and that there is no more gender discrimination happening in Christianity. So, it shows that Christianity prohibit gender discrimination.
Sharon
Buddhism
In countries where there is no bhiksunt to perform the ordination of nuns, monks often take the responsibility. The monks are acting compassionately when they ordain nuns, since nuns in the countries without bhiksunts could not become ordained without the help of monks. Although nuns are limited by the absence of bhiksunts, nuns literally become disempowered by relinquishing their monastic authority.
Over the years, gender imbalance happened in Buddhism. People often dismiss the gender imbalance and say that gender equality is not necessary for Dharma practice. They recognize that there is a gender imbalance in Buddhism and acknowledge that monks have more opportunities than nuns, but believe that gender difference are irrelevant to achieving enlightenment. Even if there is gender discrimination in Buddhism, many would claim that it cannot prevent women from achieving nirvana.
Nowadays, some people may deny that there is no gender discrimination exists in Buddhism. This is because women can do anything that men can do and women are able to achieve whatever goal they strive for. If women want enlightenment, they can get it, given that they work hard enough. Nothing can prevent women from achieving enlightenment.
In the past, for Muslim women living in Europe, discrimination occured on two levels. Discrimination occured from the exterior society especially when looking for a job, in the workplace or at school and moreso for Muslim women who chose to wear the headscarf. Besides, the real discrimination also existed between men and women at home and within the family structure. Many Muslim women were forbidden to work by their husbands and some were married against their wishes.
However, nowadays, looking into the Islamic gender discourse, on realise that men and women are equally treated by Allah in terms of their rights and responsibilities either in this life or in the life to come. They are awarded the same for their good deeds or punished the same for the bad ones. Allah commanded the believers to offer their children the same chances of life such as education and health care. Men and women receive the same salaries for the jobs they do. They share equal responsibilities of bringing up their children and the housework. This shows that there is no gender discrimination among the Islamic believers.
Spiritual Equality of Women and Men
"Allah has got ready forgiveness and tremendous rewards for the Muslim men and women; the believing men and women; the devout men and women; the truthful men and women; the patiently suffering men and women; the humble men and women; the almsgiving men and women; the fasting men and women, the men and women who guard their chastity; and the men and women who are exceedingly mindful of Allah." (Al-Ahzab 33:35)
"Treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers."(From the last sermon of Prophet Mohammed)
Sylvia
Christianity
In Christianity, it does not mention clearly whether it is against gender discrimination or not, but, there are some passages from the bible which show that Christianity disallows gender discrimination. God created us for some reason and every one of us is unique to Him. His believers are like His own children. It would be sad if we are discriminating one another just because we have the different gender, thinking that what kind of job is only suitable for which particular gender of person to do. When God created us, He was hoping that we would love one another and we would not practice gender discrimination.
However, in the early years, the statuses of women as described in Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) are very low. They are often being described in negative terms such as sexual predators, deceitful and untrustworthy. For example, in one of the passages from the bible, Genesis 39:7-20: Potiphar was an official in the court of the Pharaoh. His wife unsuccessfully attempted to seduce Joseph (THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES: Old Testament passages describing women in negative terms; as equal to men; & as leaders). She later falsely accused him of attempting to rape her, and had him arrested. From this passage, it shows that the woman was described as someone who was bad and troublesome.
But, there are also some passages from the Old Testament that mention women were also being viewed as equal to men and were described as leaders. Therefore, it shows that Christianity also respects women and gives women the equal right as men. For example, in the passage from the bible, Exodus 21:32: A slave owner would receive equal compensation if an ox gored one of his slaves, whether the victim was male or female (THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES: Old Testament passages describing women in negative terms; as equal to men; & as leaders). From this passage, it shows that both man and woman have equal value. It is mentioned that it does not matter if the victim is a male or a female; the slave owner would receive equal compensation. The slave owner would not receive more compensation if the victim is a female or less amount of compensation if the victim is a male or vice versa. It simply means that both woman and man have the same value of life and should be treated equally.
Plus, in the modern days, the statuses of women have been improved bit by bit in the view of Christianity. They are gaining equality slowly. In the Episcopal Church in the western country, they have elected Right Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori to be its Presiding Bishop, and the first female Primate of the Anglican Communion. Thus, it shows that women’s statuses are higher than in the early years and that there is no more gender discrimination happening in Christianity. So, it shows that Christianity prohibit gender discrimination.
Sharon
Buddhism
In countries where there is no bhiksunt to perform the ordination of nuns, monks often take the responsibility. The monks are acting compassionately when they ordain nuns, since nuns in the countries without bhiksunts could not become ordained without the help of monks. Although nuns are limited by the absence of bhiksunts, nuns literally become disempowered by relinquishing their monastic authority.
Over the years, gender imbalance happened in Buddhism. People often dismiss the gender imbalance and say that gender equality is not necessary for Dharma practice. They recognize that there is a gender imbalance in Buddhism and acknowledge that monks have more opportunities than nuns, but believe that gender difference are irrelevant to achieving enlightenment. Even if there is gender discrimination in Buddhism, many would claim that it cannot prevent women from achieving nirvana.
Nowadays, some people may deny that there is no gender discrimination exists in Buddhism. This is because women can do anything that men can do and women are able to achieve whatever goal they strive for. If women want enlightenment, they can get it, given that they work hard enough. Nothing can prevent women from achieving enlightenment.
No comments:
Post a Comment