Conclusion

Oppression of women does happen - and it does happen in a religious context. However, the true origin of this suppression is in people, not scripture. The common thread among studies of religion in regards to women is the fact that scriptures generally promote equality, but patriarchal societies and leaders distort teachings into oppression. While it is extremely important to address oppression, it is also extremely important to be educated and consider the diversity of people’s experiences. Modern women are fighting for equality in all spaces, including religious organizations. Many women have very positive experiences with religion, and are loved and respected by the males in their religious spaces. Assuming that all religious women are victims leads to further damaging assumptions. If a woman is perceived as oppressed in a modern society, she is also perceived as less intelligent and less capable. Thus, women who choose to participate in religion are looked down upon and infantilized.
The solution? See both sides. The struggles of oppressed women should certainly not be invalidated, and the push for equality should continue. However, recognizing and addressing one’s own bias is also essential. Reversing bias takes conscious effort - reading and listening to people’s unique stories, interacting with a wider range of people, and consciously correcting oneself when making assumptions based on appearance or interests are all important. Just as women should not be considered “less-than” for the fact that they are women, religious women should not be considered “less-than” for the fact that they are religious.