How far do religious organisations and religious beliefs maintain those systems of inequality, which disadvantage women?

... How far do religious organisations and religious beliefs maintain those systems of inequality, which disadvantage women? Max Weber was one of the first sociologists to look at and address the issue of women's role in religion, and why religion might appeal to women more than men. However, it can be seen that in some ways, religious organisations and beliefs can maintain systems of inequality, which disadvantage women. To begin with, one must look at women's involvement in religion. In an article written by Weber, titled 'The Soteriology of the Underprivileged' he argued two man points. Firstly, that religious sects appeal to those who are underprivileged because they offer salvation from real suffering and; that women have a central role to play in such religious sects, in part because they are themselves underprivileged. Feminist theories of religion follow Marxist theories in arguing that religion can be an instrument of domination and oppression.

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