Christianity and Patriarchy have a long history together, starting with the creation mythology in the first chapter of Genesis.
While the scriptural text itself, whether you read it in the original Hebrew or any other translation, has some obvious though brief patriarchal references, it’s been the 2000+ years of male, mostly European, commentary on the creation story that has cemented the deep misogyny embedded in the underpinnings of not only Christian-based high-demand religions but also Western society as a whole.
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REFERENCES:
Aquinas, Thomas. 13th Century. “Summa Theologica”. Volume 1. Question 92. Article 1. Objection 2. Read it here.
Aristotle. “The History of Animals Vol IX.” Ed. Thompson, D’Arcy Wentworth. Internet Classics Archive, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 350 BCE.
Augustine. 354-430 A.D. “De Genesi Ad Literam” (The Literal Meaning of Genesis). Read it here.
Baard, Rachel Sophia. “Feminist Theology and Christian Faith”. Union Presbyterian Seminary. October 8, 2020. YouTube.
Benner, Jeff A. “What Is a Help Meet?”. Ancient Hebrew Research Center. Web.
Brown, Wendy. “‘Supposing Truth Were a Woman…’: Plato’s Subversion of Masculine Discourse.” Political Theory 16.4 (1988): 594–616.
Campbell, Beverly. “The True Meaning of ‘Help-Meet’ and What It Teaches Us About Womanhood”. LDS Living Magazine. June 26, 2019.
Forde, Steven. “Gender and Justice in Plato.” The American Political Science Review 91.3 (1997): 657–70.
Milne, Pamela. “Genesis from Eve’s Point of View”. The Washington Post. March 26, 2989.
Padia, Chandrakala. “Plato, Aristotle, Rousseau and Hegel on Women: A Critique.” The Indian Journal of Political Science 55.1 (1994): 27–36.
Plato. “The Role of Women in the Ideal State.” The Republic, Book V. Ed. Dorbolo, Jon. Oregon State. 380 BCE
Tertullian. “De Cultu Feminarium (On the Apparel of Women)”. Chapter 1. 155 A.D. – 220 A.D.
Wender, Dorothea. “Plato: Misogynist, Paedophile, and Feminist.” Arethusa 6.1 (1973): 75–90.
Witcombe, Christopher L. C. E., “Eve and the Identity of Women.” Sweet Briar College. 2000. Web.
WomenPriests.Org. “Women Were Considered Inferior Creatures”. Wijngaards Institute for Catholic Research.
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