All Comments (10)

Religion is a lagging indicator. That is for sure.

Of course religion is shaped by society, and as a first step we should just laugh at the continuation of the ancient societal customs masquerading as doctrine.

But the next step is to see religion as man's invention, and nothing more. When you read the Old Testament laws it is clear commercial concerns were as important as moral ones (e.g., the laws in Leviticus about proper slave ownership, mixing fibers and planting fields).

I believe that the advances Western culture in technology, science and medicine are BECAUSE of the "promotion" of women to equality. Look at the rapid advancements Western culture has made since women started having a bigger role in society outside of domesticity. We are not completely equal yet, but each generation gets better!

Enlightening article. I've never thought about what the original rationales could have been for what have become fairly restrictive impositions on women in modern cultures. Neither have I thought about the impact of improving medical conditions on the life span and possibilities for women in particular. Makes sense. Thanks for pushing my envelop a bit.

Well written maybe, goofy for certain.

He says: "Nature has made men and women with gender differences, both physical and spiritual."

Where did he get this gem? I doubt from any science journal.

And he says: "The problem with institutionalized religions is that they are shaped by a given cultural landscape." Try INVENTED.

This idea of religion is a far throw from the one in the bible and of the pope - you know - the inerrant actual word of god and all that.

Stick to Star Trek - its moral lessons are more laudable, and require less cherry-picking.

Well written article, in my opinion.

I will submit that this process of filtering new ideas through religious institutions may happen at varying speeds, rather than continually accelerating, as you seemed to have suggested. Either way, you have provided a very interesting, and I think meaningful, way of examining the relationship between religious doctrine and socio-political forces. Thank you.

Very well written article, thank you. I completely agree that the established religions are changing to fit a more modern standard. Most will either see this as a good thing or as a very bad one, depending on who you are and what you believe. As far as filtering new ideas through old wisdom that is something all of should do in everyday life. Wisdom says that fire is hot, are you going to test that. Wisdom also says be careful with your money, thus you shouldn't put everything you own into a new idea. Get the picture?

Be Blessed.
Love, Light, and Peace to All.

Quoted:

Many religious norms governing women’s behavior simply formulate good order and do not have the same force about life and death matters as, for instance, the Ten Commandments. Wearing head coverings is really only cultural residue: making it into doctrine is as silly as placing the death penalty upon driving on the left side of the street.

If you read this quickly, you might misinterpret it as implying that wearing head coverings is part of the 10 cmmandments. I'm sure this was not the intention.

You've hit upon what I think is a very astute observation. Some of us see signs that this process is indeed underway and welcome it. Most, sadly, are still stuck in the past attacking or defending obsolete structures and beliefs.

Star Trek, Jesus, God, organized religion. . . I get it, it's all nonsense, including this little gem of brilliance:

"Filtering new ideas through religious traditions is no more of a bad idea than say, three separate branches of government held together in a system of checks and balances."

You need a career change, your drifting imagination is getting the best of you. Please separate your religious drivel, from the constitution, if you can. The separation of powers -- about to be explored by the impeachment of President Bush -- was actually a good idea, much better than any religious idea known to women. As we'll all soon see.

Thank you.