Why have most religions historically banned women from?
962339
thank goodness this attitude is changing slowly but surely. remember in Ancient Times the Ladies were thought to be second class citizens and were the ones who brought sin into the world since Eve was the one who first ate the Forbidden Fruit and talked Adam into eating it. ( if one looks at the same scenario a little differently Eve -- representing the ladies was the one who brought wisdom and knowledge into the world ). before I moved I went to a Church where we had three Lady Ministers who did as good a job and sometimes actually better than men. should be the ability that counts not the gender.
698501
It is unconstitutional to discriminate against a person based on religion. Changing the constitution to exclude Muslims would set a dangerous precedent. Having said that, I wish we could block all Muslims from coming into our country. It is a religion that suppresses women’s rights, teaches that murder will get you into heaven, and its leaders have sworn to convert or kill all infidels. In other words, anyone that does not share their belief should be killed. It is a religion that if fully realized would set back civilization at least a thousand years.
1092311
I think it is because we have been taught that Islam is a religion that believes in violence against all non-islamics and does not give rights to women.\n\nCorrect me if I am wrong but that is what we have been taught.
454295
During the Middle Ages. It was done to protect church owned property from passing to the wife upon the priest's death.\nThe ban on marriage is only in the Western (Roman) rite. Priests are allowed to be married in the Eastern rites of the Catholic church. Also, married Episcopal priests may convert and, of course, remain married as Catholic priests.
516327
In the earliest religious traditions God indeed was a she- well, the most revered creative divine force was at any rate. The key word here is "creative"- god was worshipped as female because she was the Giver of Life, the One from whom all living things were brought forth, and from whom they were all sustained and nourished and given the food to live. She was known as The Mother- where we even now get the terms "Mother Earth" and "Mother Nature"\n\nNow, about 15 000 years ago humans discovered that men were more involved with the reproductive process than originally believed. They then decided that they were the ones with the greatest creative power and decided to take over. God became a man- the Sun God- women became chattle, and the Goddess was made the wife/mother of the important male Gods.\n\nThe result that this has had? YHWH is the Cerator of all, Mary is the passive vessel of Christ, and women are still treated (largely) like chattel. But at the same time, hispanic societies venerate the Holy Virgin with cult-like fervour, processions are made in Her honour which mimic the ancient processions of Isis. Pagans worshipping Mother Earth and her divine creativity is one of the fastest-growing religions in the West, while congregations in more "traditional" churches are dwindling into insignificance. The DaVinci Code is a best-selling novel and blockbuster film (despite the reviews). So maybe She hasn't beeen pushed to the back as far as some would like to think. ;-)
238291
Martin Luther said that the Book of Revelation was "one long rant from beginning to end." He didn't want it included in the Bible.\nMost Western religion is about control. If you control all the key areas of a person's life, like work, money, sexual behavior, then you can make them your slaves. If you make women think they are somehow inferior then it is easier to control them.
346626
Because they dont want us to know anything and things hidden from us. Whereas the bible has been re-written and re-written by man in diffrent languages. Some parts of the bible were actually left out. It never did make it due to the majority of other churches in 1st centery. The book of enoch and St thomas was never mention. In fact back then, they never did workship any female aspects as mention in the hidden scrolls.. and were supose to believe what man has interpreted and wrote what ever they wanted to wrote? I dont think so...is why I study all religions and take religion like a buffet, I get what I agree on and leave the rest behind and just pray about it.
591423
to atheist \nactually the only country that says  women cant drive is Saudi Arabia.and they made that rule for culture reasons not Islamic and they are even of thinking of getting rid of this law soon!and the stoning is for the adulter/adulteress.so men and women get stoned for committing that sin.and no Muslims country follows that punishment any more\n\ni so agree with Sabrina.its right many Muslim women do not know their rights as Muslim women.they only follow what their culture tells them to do.when Islam came the prophet Mohammad he forbid the Arabs from burying baby girls alive.Islam also gave women the right to divorce and property.\n\np.s i would like know how can a non-muslim tell a muslim(who knows their religion better) that the translation the sabrina gave is a load of crap.that doesnt make sense.thats like me telling a christian about their religion i have no right to tell them that their meanings of the bibles are wrong.ppl should respect other ppls beliefs.
959824
The short answer is that there are two sides to this issue.  Indian women have a glorious history as religious, cultural, literary, political and warrior stars in India. Some worship her as "Devi" or divine.\n\nSimultaneously, it is is easy to find suppression, exploitation and degradation of women. The practice of Dowry is an example. India will be truly free when all Indian women have the same importance and opportunities as men.\n\ncc
198361
I will explain some from Saudi Arabia which is the center of the muslim world and thought to be very muslim like.\n\n1. Women can't drive even if they have International driver license.\n2. Women can't go outside alone even if they need a prescribed medicine and their life is in danger.\n3. Women have to share their husbands with other wives and kaneezes (slave girls).\n4. Women have half the rights of a man if their father or husband dies (heredity rights).\n5. women have half the vote meaning if a man sees new moon of Ramadan or Eid equals if 2 women sees it and witness.\n6. Women have to wear a veil on their face even if that hinders the site and they fall in a ditch or manhole (its okay).\n7. If they don't do any of the above they are beaten by Religious police (shurta) with a wooden stick like animals.\n\nThese are some of the rights women have.
950810
Like most early religions, the condemnation of education was a way for the church to control the people. It's unfortunate but it is a fact that all religions are power based pushing their agenda and loosing sight of what God asks of man. There is a big difference in being spiritual and being religious.  I would say that any religion would be better than no religion but we must search our hearts to find a true religion for ourselves and not just follow the man made teachings because it's convenient
1027902
As a point, it was so long ago that some of the reason may be lost, misinterpreted or otherwise, but apparently for the reason all the others have said.\n\n...Minus the actually being true, yadayada parts. People get too touchy when anything bad can be related to their religion.
38207
Because we live in the twenty-first century. Stop trying to drag us back into the dark ages.\n\nOnly the most conservative out there actually believe that women should not wear pants (or that they shoud be shrouded in a burqua). It's time to realize that this is one of the sillier aspects of religion with no basis in any sort of rational thought.
346464
Both Judaism And Islam are religions that govern the  whole way of life, and I think that you are right that because of the climates where they first attracted many believers and the inability to keep meat fresh in the olden days, the relions banned pork as a matter of practicality (Then), unfortunate for modern times when so many people have problems finding enough to eat in the third world....
904348
This extreme covering up is enforced by men who are insecure and use their religion as a means of exercising excessive control over women. It's not a religion thing it's a man thing.
1025085
all the holy texts of ancient times have been changed over the years to fit political and social climates of different eras. but, that was man's fault. whether religion existed or not, there was still going to be violence over something. all religion is good until some nutcase takes things too far. its a shame that most ppl cant take the lessons that can be learned from any religion and apply them to their daily lives without going off the deep end and rejecting others that dont agree.
282235
There are many religions that require women to be fully covered from neck to ankles.  Hasidic jews, for example, require women, even girls, to wear long skirs all year long.\n\nIt's a matter of modesty for most religions that impose this rule.