In this post I will focus on Buddhism, which has greatly influenced the cultures in China and Myanmar.
The doctrine of Karma and Rebith, one of the fundamental tenets of Buddhism, has been interpreted to prove the inherent superiority of the male. According to the law of Karma, one's actions in the past will determine one's position of wealth, power, talent and even sex in future birth. One is reborn a woman because of one's bad Karma. Thus the subordination of women is given a religious sanction.
My Comment:
The above statement carries a measure of similarity to those of Regious leaders of the past as well as the present such as
Roman Catholic Church Father Thomas Aquinas who has said the following:
The female is a misbegotten male.
Pastor John MacArthur who has said the following:
Men are in authority and woman are in submission in general.
A man is the highest manifestation of God on earth.... Man is king of the earth.... And I don't mean generic man; I mean sexually male man... Man is sovereign in the world.... He is the delegated authority and majesty of God.
Seminary Chancellor John Piper who has said the following:
The two arguments for not permitting a woman to have authority over a man are:
1. The order of creation (man first, woman second) implies a unique leadership role for the man.
2. The neglect of the divine pattern leads to transgression.
Sadly Roman Catholic Church father Thomas Aquinas', Pastor John MacArthur's as well as Seminary Chancellor John Piper's understanding of the roles of men and woman is more in line with Buddhism than with the Scriptures. Unfortunately, the views of Pastor MacArthur and Chancellor Piper are very influential in the Church today, which means that many believers, unknowingly, are being taught principles more in line with Buddhism rather than Biblical Christianity, at least as far as the roles of men and women is concerned.
Read Part Two HERE
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