Are “godly” attributes such as  wisdom and power linked to men?  Is this why the sacred writings of major world religions tend to favor men over women?    The sacred text of Islam stipulates that men dominate women: 

•  Men are in charge of women….Hence good women are obedient….As for those whose rebelliousness you fear, admonish them, banish them from your bed, and scourge the. (quoted in Kaufman, 1976:163).

  Christianity supports patriarchy.  Although many Christians revere Mary, the mother of Jesus, the New Testament also includes the following passages:

• A man…is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.  For man was not made from woman, but woman from man.  neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. (1Cor. 11:7-9). 
• As in all churches of the saints, the women should keep silence in the churches.  For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says, if there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home.  For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. (1 Cor. 14.33-35)

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