Is there any religious culture were women aren't traditionally lesser beings?

Women are considered less than men in Islam

In a lot of Christian sects they are considered less than men.

Even in Tibetan Buddism (don't know about other Buddist sects and movements) women have to be gone from certain areas by sunset).

So my question is, is there any current religion that doesn't traditionally see women as less than men?

PS: Anyone who tries to tell me that Christianity and Islam don't see women as less are just stupid. If you read the Qur'an and Bible it becomes very clear that women are considered scum of the earth - especially in Islam.

I can't think of anything current. But Roman times (er well earlier then that, they were - my art history is failing me!!) women were basically worshiped for the fact that they gave birth and created new life.

Hopefully someone can give a name to the people I'm thinking of.

[This message has been edited by kAtE- (edited 03-27-2006).]

why dont you point them out in the bible.

quote:Originally posted by yoda_me07:



why dont you point them out in the bible.

"And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire." (Leviticus 21:9)

"When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets: then thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall not pity her." (Deuteronomy 25:11-12)

"But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." (I Corinthians 11:3)

"For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man." (I Corinthians 11:8-9)

"Let the women learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression." (I Timothy 2:11-14)

"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything." (Ephesians 5:22-24)

many religions belonging to people that live very close to the earth consider women more important than men. the australian aborigenies are one example; there are many others. they generally see women as a personification of the earth.

the viking men considered women as their equals, though they recognised that they were suited to different activities (ie war and staying at home with the kids). the vikings were the one of the first cultures to allow a woman a divorce at her request, and to allow women to testify in a court/hearing.

i'm really tired!