Critique of Okin

I think the most interesting critique of Okin's essay is her strange summation of the religions she talks about (but most specifically Christianity and Islam). She lacks a very important understanding of Islam, and seems to overlook the many contradictory factors in Christianity that do place women in powerful, revered, and very human positions. Okin claims that only "progressives" can save the women in these religions, especially from the "fundamentalists". But the truth is that Islam started out as a much more just and equal religion as regards concern for women, and the culture that adopted it sunk its teeth into it and basically misinterpreted the text so that they could twist it into whatever "they" wanted. This "progression" of Islam is what has made it so oppressive. It is not fundamental to the religion at all. I know she uses the term "progressive" more as a designation of an ideology than a statement of development over time, but it is still funny to juxtapose her love of progressivist thought with her hatred of how Islam has progressed. The Koran itself banned the practice of men inheriting wives against their will (4:19). Muhammed instructed his followers to remember that "they [your wives] also have rights over you." (Farewell Sermon) This was a natural consequence of his teaching that, "The most perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in manners and kindest to his wife." (Abu Dawud) Contarry to Okin's suggestions, rape victims are held to be innocent by Muslim tradition, while death is the punishment for the perpetrator. (Sunan Abu Dawud 38:4366) Another point which Okin fails to acknowledge in her round-up of creation stories is the fact that the Koran specifically exonerates women from any culpability in Adam's fall. (2:36, 7:20-24)

Christianity is subtler, but nonetheless has exalted the role of women. The cult of devotion to the Blessed Virgin which developed in the high Middle Ages, particularly out of the teaching of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, made a woman the indispensable conduit of the redeeming Grace of God to mankind. All that was good in the world was brought through a woman.

Following this theme, Christianity and Islam are the only major world religions which specifically acknowledge women as the possessors of souls who are eligible for salvation. This is made very explicit in the Koran. (16:97, 4:124) Although not mentioned in the Gospels, this belief is necessarily implicit in the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and the canonization of women into the Church Triumphant.