How Does Religion Affect Our Life

Religion today makes people who they are, it is the basis for most cultures and a way of life to some. Religion has been giving people of all races and cultures a meaning to their lives, it gives people a purpose. Women throughout history have had to fight for equality and have always been treated different from men, women were not even allowed to vote until late 1920’s. These restrictions on women were in some ways due to religious beliefs that restrict women rights and activities. A prime example of a belief system that discriminates against women would be the Islamic belief. The Islamic belief system follows the teachings of the Quran and in the Quran it is clearly stated that men have superiority over women. Women’s inferior status to men in the Quran is accepted by Muslims due to the fact it is the word of God. This belief of men being superior, restricts certain activities for women and gives of this idea that women are not equal to men. Under Islamic law a man is allowed to marry four wives and can divorce any woman with ease, where on the other hand for a woman to divorce a man it’s a long and difficult task to accomplish. Regardless of how a divorce goes between Muslim couples, the father will obtain custody of boys if they are older than six, along with win custody of girls if she is close to puberty. In the Quran it states, “Women shall with justice have rights similar to those exercised against them, although men have a status above women. God is mighty and wise.” Sura 2:228 Women must accept this treatment because it is stated in the Quran and must follow it. Religion within the Islamic culture have no choice but to accept this treatment, fear of punishment and beating hold them back from wanting to fight back. In Sura 4:34 it states, “Men have authority over women because God has made the one superior to the other, and because men spend their wealth to maintain them. Good women are obedient. They guard their unseen parts because God has guarded them. As for those among you who fear disobedience, admonish them and send them to beds apart and beat them.” Within Muslim families daughters of ten or older can be set to a fixed marriage by their fathers regardless of the mother’s opinion. This dominance that men have over women is due to their belief system and regardless of their attempts in changing these beliefs, it is denied immediately by Muslims who believe it is a rebuilding of Islam. Attempting to alter the Quran in any way is looked down upon and in some cases punishable for doubting their religion. This mindset and belief system restricts women from ever being able to speak out or seek out change. Women must accept and live with these restrictions regardless if they believe in it or not. The legal system that Islam follows is the sharia in which all Muslims are expected to live by and follow. Under sharia law women receive half the inheritance rights than that of men and are considered as a lower status when they are witnesses. In more extreme areas of the world some women are not allowed to drive due to the sharia. Women are required to dress in a particular way within the Islamic culture, they are supposed to cover up their entire body. Women who are known to be Muslim and are seen out in public and are not dressed properly are subject to being physically assaulted by the police force in some countries such as Iran. In the conservative Islamic culture who …show more content…
Religion impacts most people’s lives and being born a girl into Islam can be life denying. In most Islamic societies their belief system controls most of their life and their mindsets. The excuse of breaking their tradition and going against the Quran is the reason women in Islam are being restricted. Within this religious belief it is seen that women are treated as a property of men and not treated equally. Change is needed within the Islamic culture in terms of the mistreatment of their women. It is restricting women in many ways during their everyday life and mistreating their