Reconciling Faith and Feminine Dignity: Understanding Women’s Roles in Religious Narratives

If God is just and all-wise, why do religious stories often depict women as submissive, suffering, or restricted? Why didn’t divine beings, who were supposed to be protectors of righteousness, did more to ensure their dignity, safety, and equality?

For many, faith is a source of strength, guidance, and healing. However, for those who have experienced domestic abuse, spiritual manipulation, or gender-based oppression, certain religious stories can feel deeply unsettling. If we are taught that God is compassionate and just, why do some scriptures seem to accept, or even justify, inequality and suffering?

This article seeks to address these difficult questions, offering a historically accurate and spiritually profound perspective that allows seekers to embrace faith without guilt or pain. By exploring the historical context, the deeper spiritual messages, and the distortions that arose over time, we can reclaim the true essence of divine wisdom, one that uplifts rather than oppresses.

The Status of Women in Early Religious Teachings

Religious texts were written in different historical and cultural contexts, and their treatment of women evolved over time. Early spiritual traditions recognized the feminine as sacred and powerful, but as societies became more structured and hierarchical, later interpretations reflected societal changes rather than divine will.

Hinduism: The Vedic Age and Female Scholars

In the earliest Hindu texts, women were equal participants in spiritual and intellectual pursuits. The Rig Veda (1500 BCE - 1200 BCE) contains hymns by female sages (Rishikas) such as Gargi, Lopamudra, and Maitreyi, who engaged in philosophical debates and scriptural studies. The Upanishads feature dialogues between women and renowned sages, showcasing their wisdom and independent thought.

Example: Maitreyi and Yājñavalkya
Maitreyi, a Vedic scholar, challenged her husband Yājñavalkya, asking whether wealth or knowledge leads to liberation. He admitted that only wisdom grants immortality, demonstrating that early Hinduism valued female intellect and spiritual capability.

Christianity: Jesus’ Teachings on Women

The New Testament (1st century CE) presents Jesus as a revolutionary figure who uplifted women’s status. He spoke to, taught, and defended women in a time when they were often marginalized. Unlike the prevailing culture, Jesus valued women as disciples, allowing them to be part of his spiritual mission.

Example: The Woman Accused of Adultery (John 8:1-11)
When a woman was about to be stoned for adultery, Jesus challenged the accusers, saying, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” This not only saved her life but also sent a clear message about compassion, justice, and the dangers of moral hypocrisy.

Islam: Women’s Rights in Early Islamic Teachings

During Prophet Muhammad’s lifetime (7th century CE), Islam brought significant reforms for women, including inheritance rights, legal protections, and economic independence—a stark contrast to pre-Islamic Arabia, where women had little autonomy. His first wife, Khadijah, was a successful merchant and influential figure, proving that women could hold power and wealth.

Example: Aisha as a Scholar and Leader
Aisha, one of Muhammad’s wives, became a leading scholar of Islamic jurisprudence after his death. She narrated over 2,000 Hadiths (sayings of the Prophet) and engaged in political discourse, demonstrating that early Islam encouraged women’s scholarship and leadership.

Did God Approve of Women’s Suffering?

One of the most triggering aspects of religious stories is that even divine figures did not always prevent injustice against women. How do we reconcile this with the belief that God is just and compassionate?

1. The Role of Free Will and Karma

In many religious traditions, human free will plays a central role. God does not interfere with human choices but allows them to unfold according to karmic consequences and moral responsibility. This means that instances of injustice in scriptures were not divine endorsements but reflections of human decisions.

• Hinduism: Sītā’s exile in the Ramayana was not an act of divine cruelty but a consequence of societal expectations and Rāma’s duty as a king.
• Christianity: The suffering of Mary Magdalene, Joan of Arc, and persecuted female saints was not God’s will but human injustice.
• Islam: The later restrictions on women’s rights in some Islamic societies were not divine commands but cultural shifts over centuries.

2. Religious Teachings Were Distorted Over Time

Many oppressive practices attributed to religion are not found in the original scriptures but emerged through cultural interpretations, social hierarchies, and power struggles.

• Hinduism: The original Vedic texts honored women, but later Smritis imposed patriarchal restrictions.
• Christianity: Jesus valued women, but later Church doctrines erased their influence.
• Islam: Muhammad supported women’s independence, but later legal interpretations restricted them.

How to Love God Without Feeling Triggered?

For those who have experienced abuse or gender-based oppression, religious stories can feel alienating or painful. However, faith does not require us to accept injustice, instead, it calls us to seek truth, compassion, and transformation.

✔ Distinguish Between Divine Wisdom and Human Interpretations
✔ Recognize That God Does Not Support Oppression
✔ Seek the Feminine Divine in Religion (Shakti, Mary, Fatima)
✔ Reject Any Spiritual Teaching That Justifies Injustice

Empowering Stories to Focus On

• Goddess Durga & Kali (Hinduism) → Women must fight injustice.
• Savitri (Hindu Mythology) → A woman outwitted death with her intellect.
• Queen Esther (Bible) → Used diplomacy to save her people.
• Aisha (Islamic History) → Led armies and influenced Islamic teachings.

A Spiritual Path Without Triggers

Religious texts were never meant to justify oppression, they were meant to inspire righteousness, compassion, and justice. Today, the true expressions of faith lie in empowerment, wisdom, and dignity for all.

God does not create injustice, humans do.
Women in scriptures were not weak; they were agents of change.
Loving God does not mean tolerating abuse.

If religious stories trigger you, focus on their deeper spiritual lessons: Justice, strength, and resilience.