Two Truths

In this paper, Mansoor Moaddel addresses fundamentalism (primarily in Islam) and it’s roots, as well as modern, feminist takes on religion. This account is particularly truthful as it acknowledges the reality that people experience religion in different ways. From Moaddel’s description of fundamentalism, it is clear to see where stereotypes about the treatment of religious women come from. Moaddel states that as world religions matured, women’s status declined, as “Christian wives were instructed to be obedient to their husbands. Muslim women were veiled from the eyes of strangers. Jewish women were denied the opportunity to study the Torah” (2). Women in these religions were certainly oppressed at one point. However, it is important to acknowledge, as Moaddel does, that this is not the case for many religious women today. Ancient religions, and scriptures from many current religions, preach gender equality. As religious people read and return to holy texts, more feminist interpretations arise.