Abstract This paper relates that the passage of time has made it almost impossible to understand what role ancient Israeli women actually played in the Bible. However, the author relates that, by combining Biblical sources with archeology, sociology and other sciences, a better picture of the life of women in ancient Israel can be projected, which helps illuminate the role of women in the modern church. The paper presents examples from Carole Meyers' "Discovering Eve: Ancient Israelite Women in Context", which concludes that ancient Israeli housewives were involved actively in subsistence and contributions to the family's economy; on the other hand, much of Christian tradition has been concerned with relegating women to the domestic sphere, basing that separation on Biblical tradition.
From the Paper "The emphasis on reproduction continues to be an interesting aspect of the modern church's approach to gender roles. In many denominations that self-identify as Christian, birth control is discouraged, if not prohibited. Catholics prohibit birth control, Mormons tout the virtue of the large family, and most denominations discourage sexual activity outside of marriage or for any type of self-gratification. To encourage fecundity, many Christians point to a reference in the Bible discussing the spilling of seed upon the ground, ignoring the fact that the context of that passage was concerned with the fulfillment of a Levirate obligation, rather than with normal sexual relations."
Tags:bible, patriarchal hierarchy, agrarian, power relationships, reproduction
This paper analyzes critically the role and position of women in the ancient Israel with reference to Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and contemporary scholarly journals and books.
Abstract The paper discusses the place of Israelite women in ancient days, her status and economic roles. The author states that the Israelite women could have been better, more productive citizens had their status and their environment been more favorable towards them. The author continues that understanding the role of Israelite women in ancient times has a significance place in understanding women in the modern world. She illustrates this by discussing the lives of Jewish women in the coal field economy and in the modern practices in Judaism.
From the Paper "In the masterpiece by Adler, "Engendering Judaism", the author skillfully explains the hardships faced by Israelite women and the obstacles that the Jewish feminists have had to overcome: "Jewish law needed to be reconstructed to eliminate the ancient premise that women are subordinate to men, yet at the same time maintain the law. For without law there is no means to translate the stories and values of Judaism into action" (Jones et al, 58) . Hence taking into account the author's opinion as well as what the biblical law stated above, it is evident that Israeli women were considered not only subordinate to Israeli men due to lack of women rights awareness and inaccurate interpretation of the Hebrew biblical context, it was strict adherence to the rituals, the olden day's traditional laws and socio-economic rules that led to Israelite women's submissive attitude towards their male counterparts for rituals play a pivotal role in shaping our concepts, attitudes, emotions, behavior and social status. For "a ritual is a spiritual ballet", it captures in symbols the emotions that go with an important life transition. "
This paper reviews and analyzes the empowerment of women through forms of psychological and metaphorical dissociation, as depicted in Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll's House" and Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "Yellow Wallpaper."
Abstract The writer of this paper examines how through the various portrayals of women, literary works succeeded in depicting the oppression, discrimination and submissiveness of women in society. This paper discusses the manner in which literature has resolved certain issues of oppression in women, while also illustrating the manner in which male characters, in numerous works of writing, have come to accept the rights and privileges of women. The writer explains how the process of alienation from society and the inner self, in women, is evident in both the writings of Gilman and Ibsen. In both works, the female protagonists are shown to experience various forms of alienation. This paper delves into how the women, in both novels, managed to emancipate themselves from the oppression and discrimination that they experienced, in their own surroundings. The writer of this paper contends that both Gilman and Ibsen's writings reflect similar themes of dissociation of one's self. Gilman's female narrator resorted to insanity, a form of psychological dissociation, in order to escape the prison-like conditions of her marriage, while Nora, in Ibsen's novel, separated herself from her husband, a metaphorical dissociation, in order to gain her freedom.
From the Paper "Finding no recourse or way to express her true feelings and thoughts, the Narrator began reflecting on her oppression through the yellow wallpaper patterns on the walls of her room: "The front pattern does move-and no wonder! The woman behind shakes it! Sometimes I think there are a great many women behind, and sometimes only one, and she crawls around fast...and in the very shady spots she just takes hold of the bars and shakes them hard." This passage can be interpreted in two ways: seeing the woman within the wallpaper patterns may signify her dissociation from herself psychologically by succumbing to insanity. However, this process may also be construed as her way of breaking out of the prison that is her marriage, the oppression she felt being dominated by John and the limits that marriage had put on her as a woman."
Abstract In this essay, the place of women in the global city is discussed. The writer looks at the changing role of women as globalization evolves. The writer also examines how women need to become involved to demand their rights. The issues of emancipation, rape and decision making are also raised and discussed in this paper.
From the Paper "Women's place in the global city has come about primarily because of the reproductive role of women which is seen as more than just reproducing the species but also the reproduction of the culture styles of dress behaviors, relations between adults and children, family cooking styles, domestic labor, roles play, etc. People refer to their homeland as Mother Russia, Mother Ireland and even the whole planet is referred to as Mother Earth. The fertility of Mother Earth has no doubt contributed to the association between collective ... "
Abstract This paper analyzes the role President Abraham Lincoln played in emancipating black slaves during the Civil War. It looks at his primary concern of maintaining the Union and his growing belief in full political and civil equality for former slaves. The paper concludes that Lincoln deserves the title Great Emancipator, and should not be judged by modern standards because only by understanding the times can one appreciate his skillful presidential leadership.
Abstract This paper looks at the health care problems of emancipated foster youth. It looks at the 1999 Foster Care Independence Act and how it has been applied in different states. The writer makes some suggestions as to what needs to happen.
From the Paper "They have no home, no job and no health care. They are often ill-prepared for life on their own since foster care is not conducive to providing these skills and they receive no special training in independent living. Some may still have a connection with their foster parents but many do not. A study of ... "
Abstract The role of women in church as laid out by the Apostle Paul has always been controversial. There are those who say that Paul hated women and created restrictive, secondary roles for them in the church because of it. Others, however, maintain that Paul loved women and that the roles he created for them in the Christian church were very liberating for them. Still others acknowledge that the roles for women that Paul created for the Christian church are somewhat restrictive and secondary, but say that this is because of the status of women in society at that time, not because Paul hated women. The role of women in the Christian church as ordered by Paul continues to be controversial and a matter of scholarly interpretation and study today. This paper takes a look at the role of women in the Christian church as ordered by the Apostle Paul.
From the Paper "Probably the passage in the Bible referred to most frequently when citing how Paul hated women is the passage in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 14 which states that women must be silent in the church. This passage also states that Paul will not allow a woman to teach in church, as man was put on earth to be the head of the woman. This passage has raised the ire of more than one feminist, and is frequently pointed to as positive proof that Paul had no use for women. It certainly seems that way on just a cursory glance. Paul wants women in church to be silent. This is almost akin to saying that women should be seen and not heard, much like the old saying about children. One gets the impression that whatever women might have to say, Paul did not think it was important".
Abstract This paper compares the treatment of women in the West with the treatment of women from the Middle East. The writer states that while there are many different types of women in the Middle East, for the purposes of this essay, the analysis makes some generalizations of a religious axis upon which to base the study of the treatment of women in the Middle East. Namely, the treatment of Middle Eastern women following Islam, and those following Judaism, are compared with the women of the West.
From the Paper "In the Islam tradition, the view of women is no different to the view held of men; they are both here on Earth, as God's wishes, and their goal is to worship their God, do righteous works, and to avoid evil. If they follow these guidelines, as laid out in the Quran, they will both be judged equally and accordingly in the eyes of God. Indeed, special treatment is given to people who give birth to daughters, as the Quran says "He who is involved in bringing up daughters, and accords benevolent treatment towards them, they will be protection for him against Hell-fire". This, and other quotes like this from the Quran, show just how open Islam is to the idea of the preciousness and importance of women's place in society."
A look at the roles of women in ancient times through an examination of ancient literature by Hesiod, Sophocles, Aristophanes, Homer, Virgil, and Aristotle.
Abstract This paper analyzes several pieces of ancient literature in order to shed some light on the roles that women played in ancient times and how they were viewed by society. The paper examines Hesiod's "Theogony" and "Works and Days", Sophocles' "Antigone", Aristophanes' "Lysistrata", Homer's "Odyssey", Virgil's "Aeneid" and Aristotle's "Nicomachean Ethics". The paper concludes that, while the heroines and major female characters in these ancient works are certainly worth examination and study, it must be remembered that they are unrealistic in the light of normal ancient life, and that in reality women were barely given any attention at all.
From the Paper "In ancient times, and in ancient Greece most of all, women were usually treated almost as less than human. Men seemed to deal with them as a necessary evil that was kept around for the sole purpose of providing sons. As F.G. Naerebout says, "Whatever else [they] may do - weaving, spinning, directing the female staff - is a pleasant extra (Naerebout 124)." Yet this was not always the case. There are cases in ancient writings where women are shown in a positive light, even cases where women are heroes. Here we shall examine separately each work in which women played a major role, either positive or negative."
Abstract This paper reviews "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth" which gives the layman an introduction to evangelical Christian Biblical hermeneutics. In their discussion of the Bible, authors Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart give special stress to the literary qualities of different sections of the Bible and the uniqueness of different Biblical genres. The authors attempt to provide clarity to debates whether the Bible should be taken literally within the evangelical community, stressing that genre is key to understanding how literally certain passages should be understood. The paper concludes by stating that this book is a good introduction for ordinary believers who wish to learn more about the original context of the Bible.
Outline:
Introduction: Summary
Summary: Issues Addressed
Summary: Major Themes
Analysis: Point of View, Ideological and Implicit and Explicit Perspective
What Kind of Evidence do they bring to Support their Viewpoint? Is it Adequate?
Analysis How Clear is the Argument? Does it Flow Logically? Are there Gaps, Inconsistencies, or Contradictions in the Discussion or Argument?
Conclusion: Of what Value is Book? What Does it Add to the Discourse?
From the Paper "The book combines Biblical criticism with modern theology, but with a stress upon using the background of the Bible for today's spiritual community with an understanding of how the Bible applied to its original context. The book also includes advice on choosing a translation, acknowledging that most persons are not fluent in the original, now dead languages, of the original texts. When offering suggestions about selecting a translation, the authors prefer such works as Today's New International Version of the Bible, which includes gender-neutral language when referring to human beings. They believe this most appropriate for Christian communities today, given the social changes that have occurred in the world since the document's original authorship to an ancient audience. "
Abstract This well organized and clearly written paper reviews the Bible's structure, purpose and messages from a Christian perspective. The paper first describes the format of the Bible and its purpose for the practicing Christian of today. Also discussed is the relationship between the Old and New Testaments. The author also evaluates how the Bible relates to changes in modern society. The author compares the ease of spirituality at the time of the Bible to today's developed and technological society.
From the Paper "The purpose of the Bible is two-fold. Primarily it is intended for the education and encouragement of Christian adherents. It strengthens the faith and commitment of the faithful. Secondly, the book's purpose is to encourage non-believers to come to faith in Christ for the sake of the salvation of their eternal souls. During its creation also, the Bible was meant for the particular ancient societies from which it emerged. Hence the variety of cultural elements included in its exhortations. In today's faithful community, many of these cultural elements are discarded or interpreted spiritually and symbolically rather than literally."
Abstract This paper presents an overview about the end of world with respect to the revelations of Bible. It presents with true facts and revelations from the bible in order to support the stated fact.
Abstract This paper discusses the influence of the Bible on First Amendment rights including issues of separation of Church and State, prayer in public schools, religious clubs at school and Christmas decorations. It also traces biblical influences on drawing up the First Amendment.
From the Paper "The First Amendment informs that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof or abridging the freedom of speech. Until this passage was ...."
Abstract This paper discusses the interpretation of the Hebrew Bible from the standpoint of the apocalyptic, prophetic and wisdom texts. The author points out the conflicting theories about King David. The paper relates Christian ideas about the Hebrew Bible.
From the Paper "The view of conservative readers of the Hebrew Bible is that the Bible is a holy book. That means the Bible is mainly theological. The view of liberal readers of the Hebrew Bible is that the Bible is part of history and culture. That means the Bible is mainly historical."
Abstract This paper explores founding father Thomas Jefferson's unique ideas when it came to religion, and more specifically the Bible. Jefferson's own words and the words of several other experts on the subject are used to back up the main points of the paper.
From the Paper "Thomas Jefferson is quoted as saying in 1814, "Our particular principles of religion are a subject of accountability to [the Almighty] alone. I inquire after no man"s, and trouble none with mine,? (Coates). These words exemplify his views on religion, and more specifically the Bible. Jefferson saw that people had a tendency to confuse religion with God; that is, confusing the words of the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, with those of Jesus or God. As such, he decided to write his own version of the bible, known popularly as the ?Jefferson Bible,? removing all the words he did not believe came directly from Jesus. One of Jefferson's main concerns had always been the rights of the people, and he realized that his religious beliefs were his own alone, and that others had the natural and equal right to determine what God meant to them personally, and what should be done in the worshipping of Him."
