Western Religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam :: Religion Theology

My research paper studies the three most significant and commonly known Western Religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in terms of their religious beliefs regarding the place and the role of women in society. Religion is the cardinal force that binds a race or a religious group together, and it equips it with a sense of identity. It does this by providing a code of life, governing all aspects of life, and determining convictions of its followers One such category is popularly referred to as "western religions", thereby differentiating the religions constituting it from "eastern religions." Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are of the three most popular religions that rest on the foundation of a single creator belief and are therefore called western religions. As these religions have the core conviction in common; the religious belief that this universe came into existence, as well as controlled and governed by one God.The significance and popularity of western religions can be determined from the fact that "Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are monotheistic faiths practiced by about half of the world's population Believers in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are found on every continent, but tend to be concentrated in North and South America, Europe, Australia, Western Asia and North Africa. Christianity and Islam are growing influences in sub-Saharan Africa, often replacing indigenous faiths. By studying the teachings of the western religions, we can comprehend the respectable position of women in the society and the urgent need to remove all social and gender barriers In addition, studying the place of women in the light of spiritual teachings of the western religions, we can convince other women and people around in bringing about a positive change in the modern global village. Studying various religious beliefs and their in-depth analysis proves that there is a fundamental teaching and principle of all spiritual forms that humanity is to be treated as one concrete unit wherein all men and women share similar relationship and identical position in the eyes of the Almighty. The unjust oppression of women is based on false assumptions and preconceived notions by the male-dominating world, has been obvious and responsible for paving the way for serious gender issues to emerge. This caused religious conflicts among the masses. Confined to narrow realms of activity in society, deprived from the essential human rights, restricted to confined educations scope, open to unhealthy criticism and mental and physical abuse, this society has not permitted wom en to become what they potentially are.

Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State Essay

This article argues that the first domestic institution in human history was not the family but the matrilineal clan. Engels here follows Lewis H. Morgan’s thesis as outlined in his major book, Ancient Society. Morgan was an American business lawyer who championed the land rights of Native Americans and became adopted as an honorary member of the Seneca Iroquois tribe. Traditionally, the Iroquois had lived in communal longhouses based on matrilineal descent and matrilocal residence, an arrangement giving women much solidarity and power. When nonhuman primate society and earliest human society, identifying sexual competition and the â€Å"jealousy of the male† as the vital issue that needed to be overcome to allow the emergence of the oldest form of family involving â€Å"group marriage†. Primitive communism was based in the matrilineal clan where women lived with their classificatory sisters – applying the principle that â€Å"my sister’s child is my child†. This kinship solidarity empowered women to take action against uncooperative males. Engels identified the â€Å"world historic defeat of the female sex† – the switch from what he called â€Å"mother-right† to â€Å"father-right† – with the onset of farming and pastoralism. This shift from matrilocality to patrilocality manifested itself in men’s increased control in the home. Engels wrote: â€Å"The man took command in the home also.† The book begins with an extensive discussion of Ancient Society which describes the major stages of human development as commonly understood in Engels’ time. In contrast to other contemporary essays on the subject, Engels emphasizes the importance not of primitive psychological development but rather of soc ial relations of power and control over material resources, sometimes related to the development of new technologies. Morgan, whose account of prehistory Engels largely accepts as given, focuses primarily on the first two stages  of Savagery and Barbarism but only ventures as far as the transition into Civilization. The terms Savagery and Barbarism as used by Morgan were meant to be objective and not terms of derision or disparagement as they might be assumed to be then or now. The Pairing Family, first indications of pairing are found in families where the husband has one primary wife. Inbreeding is practically eradicated by the prevention of a marriage between two family members who were even just remotely related, while relationships also start to approach monogamy. Property and economics begin to play a larger part in the family, as a pairing family had responsibility for the ownership of specific goods and property. Polygamy is still common amongst men, but no longer amongst women since their fidelity would ensure the child’s legitimacy. Women have a superior role in the family as keepers of the household and guardians of legitimacy. The pairing family is the form characteristic of the lower stages of barbarism. However, at this point, when the man died his inheritance was still given to his gens, rather than to his offspring. Engels refers to this economic advantage for men coupled with the woman’s lack of rights to lay claim to possessions for herself or her children (who became hers after a separation) as the overthrow of mother-right which was â€Å"the world historical defeat of the female sex†. For Engels, ownership of property created the first significant division between men and women in which the woman was inferior. It develops from the pairing family, as we have already shown, during the time of transition from the middle to the higher stage of barbarism. Its final victory is one of the signs of beginning civilization. It is founded on male supremacy for the pronounced purpose of breeding children of indisputable paternal lineage. The latter is required, because these children shall later on inherit the fortune of their father. The monogamous family is distinguished from the pairing family by the far greater durability of wedlock, which can no longer be dissolved at the pleasure of either party. As a rule, it is only the man who can still dissolve it and cast off his wife.

The Integration Of Chinese International Students

The Integration of Chinese International Students in Australian Multicultural Society Australia is a multicultural and multiracial country. After the end of The Immigration Restriction Act 1901, an unprecedented number of immigrants has shifted to Australia from diverse cultural backgrounds, which accelerate the expansion of Australian multiculturalism (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2011). Among all the immigration groups, along with the Europeans, labourers and business people from Asia countries have shifted to Australia to promote the Australian globalisation, and brought their cultures into Australia. As time passed by, abundant young migrants have replaced the place of the first-generation immigrants from the perspective of economic globalisation in Australia. At the start of 21st century, Australia have become one of the most culture-diverse country in the world, and a great number of young international students have entered to Australia seeking for educations and career opportunities (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2011). In particular, Chinese students, which is one of the largest population groups, quickly became one of the most notable international student groups in Australia. With the potential of future development of young generation and their multicultural identities, they are playing a crucial role in modern Australia society. This essay will argue that the Chinese international students have become one of the most critical immigration groups in theShow MoreRelatedThe Views Of The Uyghur People Of Xinjiang1263 Words   |  6 PagesThis project analyzes the views of the Uyghur people of XInjiang, China with regards to recent Uyghur terrorist activities. 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