History A Study of Anti-Woman Attitudes Throughout Western History

[Scientific Method]

Today, I just completed reading this study of anti-woman cultural norms throughout Western history. It explains the historical origins of these beliefs and how the passing of these cultural memes throughout the generations affected the well-being of females:

Written by Professor John Hartung Ph.D.

Chastity & Fidelity

Biblical Roots of the Short Leash On Women

Men's problem with paternity -- the possibility that their putative children are not their genetic offspring -- can be alleviated by killing brides who do not bleed on first penetration, by murdering prospective wives who are not virgins, by torturing and murdering wives who are suspected of adultery, and by executing women who have committed adultery. The effectiveness of these practices is enhanced if they are codified and sanctified by religious texts that inculcate cultural norms. Such legitimacy is lent to sexual repression and violence by Judeo-Christianity's holy scriptures.


Although some non-Western cultures also sanctify these practices, in other cultures women have traditionally been "very free and at liberty in doing what they please with themselves" (Barbosa 1500:105-6). It follows that the Bible's dark legacy is more an artifact of religion than a stipulation of human nature.

KEY WORDS: Chastity; Adultery; Paternity; Sexual repression; Murder; The Bible; The Torah; The Talmud, The Midrash Rabbah

[ . . . ]

Complete article at http://members.aol.com/toexist/CFhome.html

 

[arildno]

It is TOTALLY wrong to hang these attitudes upon the Christian culture as such.
While no Biblical fan myself, you should check into:
1) Ancient Chinese culture
2) Ancient Hindu culture
3) Modern Islamic culture
+ a lot other cultures.
This dark legacy is not specifically Christian, it is a specific HUMAN legacy, however little we may like it.

 

[loseyourname]

". . . if the thing is true, that the tokens of virginity were not found in the young woman, then they shall bring out the young woman to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death with stones . . ."

I like that: stone her to death with stones. What else would you stone someone to death with? It really makes you wonder what the Jewish fascination with stoning is. It seems that for every transgression committed, the old testament prescribed stoning as rectification.

 

[Scientific Method]

It is TOTALLY wrong to hang these attitudes upon the Christian culture as such.
While no Biblical fan myself, you should check into:
1) Ancient Chinese culture
2) Ancient Hindu culture
3) Modern Islamic culture
+ a lot other cultures.
This dark legacy is not specifically Christian, it is a specific HUMAN legacy, however little we may like it.

I personally agree with you. But, Professor John Hartung, coming from a Jewish background, has an interest in focusing on the Judeo-Christian aspect, while not denying anti-woman attitudes in other cultures as well.

 

[franznietzsche]

It is TOTALLY wrong to hang these attitudes upon the Christian culture as such.
While no Biblical fan myself, you should check into:
1) Ancient Chinese culture
2) Modern Hindu culture
3) Modern Islamic culture
+ a lot other cultures.
This dark legacy is not specifically Christian, it is a specific HUMAN legacy, however little we may like it.

Corrected.

 

[Bartholomew]

Infidelity has more consequences than uncertain lineage of children; STDs, for example. There are good reasons to be faithful to your spouse.