Why does Christianity see women as human beings who must be submissive to their husbands?

Christianity imposed itself in a period of demographic collapse of the Roman Empire. The woman in republican Rome was all the more esteemed the more she was a prolific mother. The spread during the Empire of forms of "female emancipation" led to the decrease in births as a direct consequence. The Emperor Augustus had already tried to remedy the decline in fertility of Roman women with more stringent laws and even incentives. The collapse of customs and the introduction of pansexual practices (together with the cult of the sol invictus promoted by Heliogabalus) made the Romans forget their traditions and every subsequent year the population decreased. The empire from 165 AD had a sharp decline in population and began an inexorable fate of demographic collapse, up to the halving of the population in up to 400 AD.
In recent years, Christianity imposed itself as a new religion, with much stricter social rules than those that the Romans had previously. De facto Christians denied the visions of emancipation that destroyed Roman society. There is nothing Roman or pagan in the Christian view of women.
The sacred texts of Christianity have numerous verses in which it is explicitly said that the woman must be subject to the man
Qoelet 7.28; Sirach 9,2; Sirach 25.24; Sirach 42.6; Sirach 42.12; Sirach 42.14; 1 Corinthians 14: 34-35; Colossians 3, 18; 1 Peter 3; 1-6; Titus 2: 3-5; Hebrews 13, 17
It’s not only Christianity. It’s all of the Abrahamic faiths and most of the world. Let’s be clear, submission isn’t a bad thing, but abusive behavior is unacceptable.
We all husbands and wives submit to authorities every day - work, law enforcement, civil laws, and statutes.
Why not in the home? If your Christian husband is true to his faith, he will love his wife like Christ does his bride (church). Christ loved humanity to the point of his death on the cross. This is the expectation for every husband - he must lay down his life for the sake of his wife, family, and community. If there is a break-in, is it not expected of every husband to step between harm and his family? The only expectation of a husband of the Abrahamic faith is that a wife submits to him (be led by him).
It is essential to vet a prospective husband properly. If you want a Christian or traditional husband (look up the word husbandry - words matter), ensure that he has good judgment and is someone you want to follow. If you wish to an egalitarian marriage, then respectfully look elsewhere. Best of luck in your search!
What is being submissive? Is it accepting ALL the husband's orders and wishes?
First, I think it’s good to understand the spirit of your questions. Can you share your purpose in asking the question? Secondly, we should appreciate that submission also means being agreeable.
Thirdly, it’s essential to know that scripture says that finding a wife is a good thing. Finally, I stated abuse is never acceptable.
Actually, it says a woman should be submissive, and a man should be willing to give his life for her, and treat her like Christ, whom was submissive to the point of death. He should love her as his own body (Gal 5:22-33).
So technically, men are supposed to be submissive, too.
My husband is very meek. I am submissive to him, and in turn, he behaves submissive as well. I choose to be submissive because I know if an intruder breaks into our house, he is the man, and will fight off the offender.
I respect him as the man, because I know when there is a bump in the night, he is doing the man thing and protecting me. Women don't appreciate that or see that worth regarding, but when we don't, it emasculates our husbands. We shouldn't take the for granted.
Because it is what God tells them.
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In a away the Synod of Whitby is to blame..
The Celtic Church which was found in Ireland, then Iona and then Northumberland, pretty much picked up the old Celtic traditions and the thing of working with the community rather than dictating to it (Roman Church).
https://www.grin.com/document/70403
From the link below.
Magnus Magnussen put it well when he observed that Roman Clergy said ‘Do as I say and expected to be obeyed, the Celtic clergy said ‘Do as I do’ and hoped to be followed.’ That’s why Soulfriends were encouraged – Anam chara.
https://www.northumbriacommunity.org/articles/celtic-spirituality-a-beginners-guide/
If the Synod of Whitby had been a place where Celtic Christianity flourished and had pushed back Roman, then I believe we would have seen a more balanced view on life.
far more community orientated, with not just monks, but nuns, teachers etc forming part of religious life in a community.
In the end the Roman way won, it was male dominated, society was male dominated, the church controlled not only lives but also lands and kings.
if you write a bunch of books in ancient times in a land where women were nothing, then move it into a sphere of control where all the senior leaders of the church are male, there is only ever going to be one story.
It was that bad, people Protested against it and broke away from the original Roman church.
The various denominations do have varying views on women, so it’s wrong to say all Christianity, rather the books that are written are interpreted as saying this.
Ephesians 5:1, Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
21-33 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
http://play. google. com/store/apps/details? id=bible. kingjamesbiblelite
Christianity is an amalgam of many different aspects of many different ancient pagan practices. All Christian holidays are taken from pagan feast days and ritual days. More of the ancient writings are hidden from mankind then are shown because it would not serve the world religions not just Christianity.
To answer the question many cultures of the world not only expect women to be submissive but it is law for them to do so. This is because wether feminists like it or not it’s the female nature to be submissive and receive , and the males nature to be dominant and to give his labor and life to his family. This is not social constructs which many of you think are normal. This is evolution and that is not changed overnight. Very simple really.
Hmm... I don't understand why you brought feminism into the conversation? I don't like the idea of accepting male leadership, I prefer to bond with other women if necessary.
Mainly its because modern feminism is behind much of this attack on the western family which is predominantly based on Christian values. Its interesting that you say you'd rather bond with females rather then accept male leadership. that's classic feminist brainwashing. Its not surprising however as modern feminism has been brain washing women to defy the very things that give women power. Indeed their very evolution. They are to busy trying to rewrite the culture , and usurp masculine roles in western society that women are not and never will be suited for. It won't last much longer both men and women are waking up to the danger these people pose to our existence as we know it. I see in the very near future laws will be imposed holding women accountable for their behavior, as of this moment no such laws exist. I often think how quickly women in western society would revert back to submission if our society fails. (such as the internet crashing worldwide instant loss of all that data , and or a food and a supply line and distribution crisis no services no gasoline no electricity and roving bands of cutthroat people. civilization is such a fragile thing. Women would very quickly realize they have a problem , and your band of girls would likely not be able to help. They would be looked upon as windfall. See in that type of world women become a commodity very quickly , and a valuable one. It's a disturbing thought to say the least. I bet masculine men would be very much wanted then. Thankfully women such as you profess to be are the exception not the rule as they would have everyone believe.
Do you want the government to create laws that aim to FORCE women to obey and be submissive to men?
All this based on YOUR religion? What will be next?
No I do not , but females need to be accountable for their action. There are many ways women are not held accountable. When a woman leaves her husband no spousal support. If she marries again no more money at all from the prior husband. If she gets pregnant she will have a baby. Abortion is legal murder of children. That alone says a lot about how foolish women are they will kill a baby because they can’t be bothered to keep their legs closed. They want equality which they have but its never enough. Nothing is enough for the modern western woman. You use the word FORCE. How about the things women force men to do? I think feminism and feminist’s are ridiculous. Females that want to be the equal of men. You can’t and never will be the equals of men. You don’t live under the same rules as men. Your existence on this planet is different from the one men have to live in. Feminists need to wake up to reality. Women need to stop being parasites as it stands now females are dangerous to s man life and well being.
Submissive to your husband means being submissive to his leadership, just like you listen to your boss at your job. You respect the role and listen to him as the boss.
But he doesn't dictate every single thing that you do in your life, you're not a Slave. That's all it is. Submit to leadership. It's because this dynamic is most successful and natural.
Women look for men who will lead and it's a man's responsibility to be a leader. Problems arise when the man doesn't lead or isn't a leader or a woman is not able to follow his lead for whatever the reason.
Relationships where the man isn't a leader the woman doesn't respect her man and is ultimately is unhappy. This is even true in same sex relationships. The more masculine one's role is to lead and the more feminine to follow.
That was written for born again Christian husbands and wives and purpose for that commandment is to establish order and a chain of command within the household and family.
The commandment isn't to be taken you tell your wife to do whatever you desire and she must be your slave and just obey whatever nonsense the man is saying but rather she submits to his leadership and the way he decides to guide the household in accordance to God's word so that in turn God gets the glory as Jesus Christ is the head of the man.
What if the wife doesn't want to be obedient and disagrees with her husband's decisions? Can the husband force something on her?
No. The Bible doesn't say to force the wife, but the woman will be sinning against God by breaking the commandment.
The whole purpose of the command is to bring God glory in harmony and love.
Fighting and disagreements is for the heathens, not for Christians.
Also, the husband is commanded to love his wife as Christ loved the church so Godly true Christian husband looks out for the best interest of his wife, not selfish motives or that hurts her.
Religion is built on old customs which are build on what works with the biology we got. So it simply human nature. You can't have two leaders in a family. And since men are the strongest and is the one defending the family she needs to be submissive to him. This existed before modern religions and will exist as long as we remain humans.
All religions including Abrahamic ones (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), Hinduism, Buddhism, etc. See primarily men as the leaders and women as followers. If we are speaking about Christianity then the order goes from god to man to woman. Religions were framed at a time when order and hierarchy was important so essentially all religions are hierarchical and are designed in a way to bring order and control in society.
When times are hard and survival is a very real concern, there is typically a hierarchy of leadership within a family, tribe, or society… Men tend to be more capable of make decisions under pressure. Women often freeze up and aren’t willing to take any risk. If you don’t make decisions, decisions are often made for you by external factors. Someone has to take the lead, which means others have to listen to orders from a leader.
Go watch the survivor island experiments when they put a group of women against a group of men on an island... Now imagine if they were given no supplies and were actually in real danger with no TV producers with boats to come get them when they fail and bring medics to fix them up... Life is hard and requires leadership... Most people have had it far to easy for far too long because of men's success. They've forgotten what it takes to survive and how important men are in that process.
It's what happens when you follow a religion founded by middle eastern tribals in ancient times. Women were chattel to them.
What is your religion?
I think most religions are base upon traditional beliefs, and some of those extend to traditional gender roles and believe in gender roles.
Blame Eve, from Adam & Eve, or the guy who wrote it... kind of puts women in a bad light.
I like being a sub in pretty much all aspects of my life but not if I'm being forced by some old guys to do it
That's not the question. And you are free to do whatever you want, including being a Christian and submissive to your husband.
Sorry but I thought your question was rhetorical. How would anyone know why a 2000 year old religion is the way it is
Christianity does not. That belief belongs to the American Taliban. We have folks who are trying to turn our nation into a theocratic state based upon extremist interpretations of the Bible.
If you're asking this because if that paragraph from Corinthian (i think) it says the same about men.
And if i understand it correctly its not about being submissive, its about being in service to each other
Who should lead the relationship, the man or the woman? Who should follow a lead, the man or the woman?
So... according to YOUR religion, should a wife do EVERYTHING her husband wants?
@grega239
I mean, it is written in their holy book... kinda makes sense that they'd believe it, rightly or wrongly.
That’s how god designed men and women within a household. The more you stray away, the more issues arise.
That's not the question. Anyway, with all due respect, I'm not a Christian nor do I care what the bible says.
If you don’t care about the Bible says, then why are you asking about Christianity?
I’m confused. I genuinely thought you were asking.
I don't care what the bible says, I just like to study religions. I like to know how religious individuals think.
How do you study religion without the bible? There's historical context, and psychological context, but I don't know how you would gain an accurate understanding of religious theology without going to the bible. Christians live their life by this book. The bible serves as a map or encyclopedia for life. If someone is struggling with depression, then they find meaning in books like Job in the new testament. Like I said, the bible is how Christians live their life.
If you genuinely want to know how Christians think, just read the new testament. I became a Christian by trying to deconstruct it. I was sick and tired of being preached at, and I wanted to educate myself so that I'd have something to say back. I went into first historical context, and then studied the psychology of religious individuals. Then I finally went into the bible and started deconstructing. The information passed on will be watered down with biases if you don't actually open the bible. As soon as I went into the bible, I was able to understand how they think at a level of more clarity than any article or study. It took me a long time to actually believe though.
If you do read parts of the bible. I'd suggest reading it in the NLT (New Living Translation) version. It's the easiest to understand. King James versions are filled with more substance, but it's much more difficult to understand. It's filled with a lot of thou's lol.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFwNZNyDu9k
This channel gives you the cliff notes on the bible.
Please give the exact verse where it says that and we can discuss it.
Ephesians 5:22-33
@senna
I'm not sure what type of bible you're reading but from what I've read myself, most women are great strong figures. I can't think of a single woman or wife mentioned in the Bible that had little or no impact on their husbands character or importance.
Because of the Original Sin assertion that is at it's core.
what?
Most religions and cultures are patriarchal. I don't know why but in Antiquity and pre Antiquity men used to it probably do more than their fair share to get that status
May be bc Eve made the innocent adan to eat the apple of sin from the tree of knowledge
Probably a punishment as for her poor decision making 🙊
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