Religion, Theology and Self-Improvement Sundays: Women, Religion, Theology and Society Part 1

Recently, Oprah Winfrey devoted an hour of her show to the mistreatment of women, in many cases, in various parts of the world. I found it interesting to see how America's mistreatment of women was hardly addressed in her program. Since that program, I have had several interesting conversations regarding the condition of women, in America and across the world. Invariably, these discussions focus on the struggle for freedom, justice, and equality for women; as well as the nature, purpose and role of the female in society. These conversations always touch on the connection between belief systems, religion, politics and the influence these have on the view and treatment of women.

Over the next few Sundays, God willing, we will take A Deeper Look at this issue. We hope to do so in a manner that goes way below the surface and touches the core and root of why women are in the condition that they are in today, in this country and across the world.

Far from just pointing the finger at individuals in the year 2000, we intend to examine the historical treatment and views of women as well as the basis of the very concepts of "woman" that many hold in their minds and how these concepts affect the way that men view and treat women and the way that women view and treat themselves.

Of course, our series will focus on the last 6,000 years, a period of time that many theologians describe as under Satan's control. But we intend to go way before that time period and into the mind of God, as it is available to us through scripture and revelation, in an effort to hopefully see "woman" as The Supreme Being sees "woman".

And of course, we will compare that view to the one that prevails today among religious scholars, the religious community, politicians and society as a whole.

We are also very interested in how the Word of God has been used to both elevate and degrade women in the last millennium.

If you have any literature that you think is important and relevant to this series, please send it to us.

Cedric Muhammad

Sunday, October 8, 2000