Inequality in Religions: Discrimination against Women in Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism, and Some Salutary Remedies

Abstract

Discrimination [which of course exists in the following forms: racial discrimination, gender discrimination, residential segregation, victimization, discrimination arising from disability, etc.] is one thing that clearly characterizes human society. During the slave era, in the feudal as well as in this present capitalist society, some sorts of discrimination exist. The works of the famous German philosopher-Karl Marx (1818-83), particularly the Das Kapital (Capital) published between 1867 and 1894, exposed discrimination, or rather inequality (class inequality precisely) in human society. In school, in politics, in hospital, in the market and in workplaces people also, consciously and unconsciously, discriminate against each other. But one may ask: is there a form of discrimination within the gamut of religion, within religious institutions, like churches, mosques and temples? Or, does discrimination, gender discrimination precisely, exist in religions? Do women enjoy same religious privileges as their male counterparts? Do they receive any unfair treatments? Are women “second class citizens” in different religious institutions and bodies? To attempt to answer these questions, secondary data would be used, in exposing areas where women particularly suffer discrimination in the religions of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. The utmost aim of exposing “religious discrimination” against women is mainly for corrective purpose, as this study provides some feasible remedies to the issue.