My Reaction:
Although have previously taken a world religions class and have studied many of the main religions, this class has still taught me an immense amount of information. Not only have I discovered different traditions, cultures, and beliefs, I have discovered when women fit into these pieces. The information has changed the way I see the world, other individuals, and my own religion.
My Analysis:
Myself – One part of the class that I really enjoyed was challenging some of my past beliefs and forming my own opinions on topics instead of just following what I was taught growing up. I grew up in a small town and wasn’t exposed to many different religions besides the Christian ones around me. Due to this, a lot of what I knew came …show more content…
One thing that really surprised me throughout the class was the way women are portrayed in sacred texts. An example that comes to mind is the way women were described in Christian texts. Women were often portrayed in negative tones and as inferior of dangerous to men. This is seen in the quote, “…Women were equated with the body and men with the mind. This made women sexually dangerous to men. According to Augustin, women are more carnal than men and therefore more subject to temptation and sin” (Anderson and Young 182). Women were often even unnamed in the Bible, which discreetly shows that they weren’t seen as an important part of the story. It is also seen in the Jewish midrash of Ben Sira when describing Lilith, who was Adam’s first wife. She is seen as argumentative, stubborn, and almost evil for leaving. It is realized in God’s reaction that Lilith is seen at fault. “God said, if she wants to return, well and good. And if not, she must accept that a hundred of her children will die every day” (Midrash Handouts). Although women aren’t always portrayed negatively and there are many strong women in the religious texts we have studied, I couldn’t help notice the pattern of negative light that was often shown on women because it was something that I had never considered before. I hope I continue to apply what I have learned in this class to the world around me and become a more informed
Although have previously taken a world religions class and have studied many of the main religions, this class has still taught me an immense amount of information. Not only have I discovered different traditions, cultures, and beliefs, I have discovered when women fit into these pieces. The information has changed the way I see the world, other individuals, and my own religion.
My Analysis:
Myself – One part of the class that I really enjoyed was challenging some of my past beliefs and forming my own opinions on topics instead of just following what I was taught growing up. I grew up in a small town and wasn’t exposed to many different religions besides the Christian ones around me. Due to this, a lot of what I knew came …show more content…
One thing that really surprised me throughout the class was the way women are portrayed in sacred texts. An example that comes to mind is the way women were described in Christian texts. Women were often portrayed in negative tones and as inferior of dangerous to men. This is seen in the quote, “…Women were equated with the body and men with the mind. This made women sexually dangerous to men. According to Augustin, women are more carnal than men and therefore more subject to temptation and sin” (Anderson and Young 182). Women were often even unnamed in the Bible, which discreetly shows that they weren’t seen as an important part of the story. It is also seen in the Jewish midrash of Ben Sira when describing Lilith, who was Adam’s first wife. She is seen as argumentative, stubborn, and almost evil for leaving. It is realized in God’s reaction that Lilith is seen at fault. “God said, if she wants to return, well and good. And if not, she must accept that a hundred of her children will die every day” (Midrash Handouts). Although women aren’t always portrayed negatively and there are many strong women in the religious texts we have studied, I couldn’t help notice the pattern of negative light that was often shown on women because it was something that I had never considered before. I hope I continue to apply what I have learned in this class to the world around me and become a more informed