Should women be leaders in religion? In all of the world's largest religions, men have always been the clergy and the administrators of religion.
Through trial and tribulation, in some religous denominations have fought to have women as clergy or as administrators. But for the most part, men are still the clergy of the major religions.
The Baha'i Faith views this matter entirely differently. Baha'u'llah, the Prophet/Founder of the Baha'i Faith, explicitly states that women and men are spiritually equal and always have been. It's only been because of past times of when the religions were formed and men being protectors and providers for the families that have kept women away from leadership positions in religion.
"The world in the past has been ruled by force,
and man has dominated over woman by reason of
his more forceful and aggressive qualities both
of body and mind."
BUT, Baha'u'llah says that women must take their rightful place in society, politics and religion. As such, women can be elected to our local and national administrative bodies, are free to gain education in all areas of knowledge and, given opportunities, will be assured to taking their rightful place alongside men in the social, political and religious arenas.
"And let it be known once more that until
woman and man recognise and realise equality,
social and political progress here or
anywhere will not be possible. For the world of
humanity consists of two parts or members:
one is woman; the other is man. Until these
two members are equal in strength , the
oneness of humanity cannot be established,
and the happiness and felicity of mankind will
not be a reality... "
What do you think of women and men being held as the wings of two birds? Doesn't it give a comepletely different understanding to the fighting for women's rights and equal opportunity for the last 30 years? I see relationships at all levels to be more compatible, cooperative, gaining stength together from the both working together, rather than separately.
Let me know what you think!!!