Maximilien+Johan+Marton

What Will it Be? **
 * Christian vs. Islam Gender Roles:

"Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other.. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them." Though translations of the Koran can be shaky, the points that its verses convey stay intact. This quote clearly shows how the Koran portrays men as superior to women. Because women can not survive on their own, they must be dependent on a man that can guide and supervise them, so they do not get in trouble. Woman are portrayed as unintuitive and in some cases, intellectually inferior to men. This is interesting, considering that Mohamed, the most important figure in Islam besides Allah, married such a strong woman as he did. Mohamed's wife was a successful businesswoman who owned her owned her own caravan. At the time that Mohamed's life took place, this should be respected as a near impossible achievement, considering the prejudices of that time. It is interesting, because Mohamed's wife could certainly take care of herself, and since their marriage flourished, it would seem that Mohamed did not have a problem with this.
 * In The Koran**

"When mankind began to multiply on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of mankind were beautiful, and they took any they chose as wives for themselves." Notice how the bible states that men are the sons of God, and the women are the daughters of mankind. Being sons of God, who is described as the almighty and perfect, would make men very close to this state of perfection, compared to women, who are described as the daughters of mankind. Mankind is the offspring of Adam and Eve, the ones banished from Eden, thus far from perfect. While on the topic of Adam and Eve, also remember that Eve, who was not directly made from God, but with the bone of Adam, was the one that led to Adam's and her own expulsion from Eden.
 * In The Bible**

"As regards the individual nature, woman is defective and misbegotten, for the active power of the male seed tends to the production of a perfect likeness in the masculine sex; while the production of a woman comes from defect in the active power...." Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica This quote is the product of a Christian man, but could also have been born from the mind of a Muslim, not meaning to justify the Christian man in any sort of way. It is unfortunate that these men infer that women share similarities to something detestable. It is extremely offensive that they also credit themselves with the miracle of life more so than women. It is perplexing, seeing as Jesus and Mohamed would never have said such disgraceful comments such as this. Jesus took on Mary Magdalene into his group without really passing any harsh judgment on her. Mohamed married a very strong and independent businesswoman, as I stated previously on this site. It is interesting how these men contradict their leaders so fiercely.
 * In Modern Writing**

"These male dancers could be considered as part of a tradition in the Near East of men performing as women." Belly dancing is a traditional Middle Eastern and North African dance, usually performed by women to accentuate the femininity of a female body. Though largely associated with femininity, belly dancing, traditionally known as "Raks al Shaki," was, and still is also performed by men. Major leaders of islam, such as the sultans of the Ottoman Empire, had troops of these dancers, who were known as Koçeks. Koçeks would perform for the various men they served acting almost like they were young women. Essentially, they are the Islamic versions of Drag Queens, which is interesting, as religious scriptures such as the Koran and the Hadith speak ill of such things as female impersonation. Even more interesting, is the fact that the men they danced for would receive sexual pleasures from them as well.
 * Interesting Point:**
 * Male Belly Dancers**

The reason why this whole story is import is important is simple. The scriptures that countless people follow are corruptive towards women. There are countless instances in these scriptures that show how women are vilified, and the ones mentioned above are just a tiny sample. It is unfortunate that women, who give life, are perceived as near animals, even though they should be shown as equals to men.
 * Why is This Important?**

(Note: there are no pictures because the iPad does not have a file system!!)