Do christians believe that women are weaker?

In the new testament in the bible, there is a verse that actually says that women are weaker. Does that mean the Christians think that women are weaker than men? How can this be true if in the book of Genesis, Adam did NOTHING to stop/deter Eve from eating the 'forbidden fruit, and even ate the fruit WITH her? Wouldn't that mean exactly the opposite?

To amoeba :

I as well as others gave well thought out, detailed responses and silverwings stated that she didn't read all the comments but that she agreed with amblessed. I was offended and responded as such. it happens. my response to silverwings was definately not nice and I am sorry for that.

Thank you Amoeba... I accept you appologies... We all have bad days at times... However, I surely meant no offense by not reading all the replies, and I did like Amblesseds... I post on a lot of different boards, and therefore do not have a lot of time, so often, I will read the question, and post my response, without reading the others. No harm intended.

There's another good story about 3 bears and some porridge, again it's the female who's to blame.

To spite what the bible says, no. Women are equals in most (all?) Christian nations, which just goes to show you that their morality does not come from their precious, in-errant, book directed by god himself.

I wouldn't say god intended it for that reason. I think he intended that the male will more less take charge, and be head of a household type thing. I believe got made things for men to dominate in. But, that doesn't mean men and woman aren't equal. The bible teaches us that men and women are in fact equal.
The symbolism of Genesis and the Garden of Eden is such that we should believe that we are perpetual partners, completely dependent upon each other for survival and bound to each other by God's will.

Stephanief987,

I guess you haven't actually read your bible?

Let's look at a few passages:

Lot offers his two daughters for gang rape, rather than letting the mob have their way with his male guests. 2 Pet.2:7-8. 19:8

Rachel considers herself worthless if she cannot produce children for her husband, so she offers her maid instead. Genesis 30:3

It's Ok to sell your daughter, and there are specific instruction for what to do with them if they should displease their new master. Exodus 21:7

If you rape a women you must marry her. If the father refuses, you must pay him the going rate for virgins. Exodus 22:16

Women are dirty and sinful after childbirth, so God prescribes rituals for their purification. Leviticus 12:1-5

If a man dies and has no son, then his inheritance goes to his daughter. But if he has a son, then the daughter gets nothing. Numbers 27:8

If you see a pretty woman among the captives and would like her for a wife, then just bring her home and 'go in unto her.' Later, if you decide you don't like her, you can 'let her go.' Deuteronomy 21:11-14

If a man marries, then decides that he hates his wife, he can claim she wasn't a virgin when they were married. If her father can't produce the 'tokens of her virginity' (bloody sheets), then the woman is to be stoned to death at her father's doorstep. Deuteronomy 22:13-21

If a man rapes an unbetrothed virgin, he must pay her father 50 shekels of silver and then marry her. Deuteronomy 22:28-29

Should I go on? Old Testament you say? Doesn't count? How about these ones?

Jesus says that divorce is permissible when the wife is guilty of fornication. Matthew 5:32

In the last days God will make things especially rough on pregnant women. Matthew 13:17

ven Mary had to be 'purified' after giving birth to Jesus. Was she defiled by giving birth to the Son of God? Matthew 2:22

Jesus tells Mary Magdalene not to touch him because he hasn't yet ascended -- as if the touch of a woman would defile him and somehow prevent him from ascending into heaven. John 20:17

Paul explains that 'the natural use' of women is to act as sexual objects for the pleasure of men. Romans 1:27

Paul says 'the head of the woman is the man,' meaning that the women are to be subordinate to men. 1 Corinthians 11:3

If a woman refuses to cover her head in church, then her her head must be shaved. 1 Corinthians 11:5-6

Women are commanded by Paul to be silent in church and to be obedient to men. He further says that 'if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in church.' 1 Corinthians 14:34-35

Wives must reverence their husband. Ephesians 5:33

'Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.' 1 Timothy 2:11-12

Only 144,000 celibate men will be saved. (Those who were not 'defiled with women.') Revelations 14:1-4

Charming god you have there.

No - Equal:

In God’s eyes, men and women are equal in importance. Leadership, or headship, does not necessarily assume superiority. It is just a role. God is the head of Christ, yet the two are the same. A husband and wife team is simply that: a team. They are both vital to the health of the family but one has to be the head. God chose man to be the provider and protector and woman to be the comforter and nurturer. It is so unfortunate that modern feminism has caused women to resent their role and to see it as subservient.

'Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered' (I Peter 3:7)

If the Lord thought women were inferior to men, why would he direct Peter to warn husbands to give honor to his wife, to treat her as though she was the weaker vessel? Notice that Peter does not say that because she is the weaker vessel, but AS the weaker vessel. If a man is treating his wife with honor, with kid gloves (gently), his view of his wife will not be along the lines of a rug mat (to think of his wife as inferior), but to treasure his wife.

Another point well worth noting is the solemn warning issued by Peter to husbands. If a husband is not treating his wife as Peter has instructed (with respect, as a fellow heir to our rewards in Heaven), then his prayers will be hindered. In the vernacular, 'His prayers will in essence bounce off the ceiling'.

God in no way views women as being inferior. Instead, God will reward men and women based on how they have served the Lord Jesus Christ while here on earth...Hope this helps !!

I'm sorry, their role?
Are you implying women were meant to stay home and take care of babies?
So basically whatever your husband says goes?
Uhm yeah women got tired of being abused and mistreated because they're the 'weaker' sex and they did something about it.
You are only on this site allowed to say what you say because women fought for equal rights...
Look at some arab countries where women aren't even allowed to drive or go out alone (this is only for their own protection ofcourse...)
You take your liberties for granted because you dont know what it's like to live without them...

'God in no way views women as being inferior. Instead, God will reward men and women based on how they have served the Lord Jesus Christ while here on earth...Hope this helps !! '

Actually it doesn't help at all... You are someone who constantly throws scripture in peoples faces. Yet, askegg shows overwhelming evidence from your own book that shows your god is at best schizophrenic in his feelings about women. Why do you completely ignore those parts of scripture?

It just goes to show that you truly are nothing more than a zealot who cares nothing about truth.

'It is so unfortunate that modern feminism has caused women to resent their role and to see it as subservient.'

modern feminism focuses on the equality of men and women. it focuses on women’s ability to show and maintain their equality through their own actions and choices. some of the issues that are important to feminists include reproductive and abortion rights, sexual harassment, voting, education, 'equal pay for equal work', affordable childcare, affordable health care, and bringing to light the frequency of sexual and domestic violence against women.

amblessed - yes, here on earth, women deserve to be treated unfairly because in heaven it will be great.
let me try to remember...what would we have called you?
oh yes, male chauvinist pig.
hope this helps!

Are women weaker?

In the strictest sense of the word, yes women are physically weaker than men. However, if you are speaking in the spiritual sense, then the answer is no.

There are specific answers to the quotations that askegg raised, and I will address them later. For now, you deserve a straight answer to your question.

There is other passage that is worthy of your consideration. I ask you also to consider the times in which it was written and how truly revolutionary it was.

“And God said, ‘let us make man in our image, after our likeness…’ So God created man his own image, in the image of God he created him; male AND FERMALE he created them” (Gen. 1:26-27). Thus we declare that women are “equal in dignity.”

If there is any doubt that Christians believe women have demonstrated their strength of will and perseverance, look at the women depicted in scripture. Rebecca in Genesis, Ruth, Ester, Judith, and the greatest example of strength and motherly care: Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Sometimes people forget the hardships that the Gospels depicted for Mary. She was an “illegitimate” mother; she traveled to Bethany over 100 miles away over the hill country of Judea (possibly unescorted in the ancient world); she made the journey back to Nazareth, only to find out that she had to go back to Judea, and then give birth in a stable. Then she had to go to Egypt and back! After all this, she had to watch her Son die a torturous death by crucifixion. Try to put yourself in her shoes. (It’s no wonder that the Catholic Church claims that she is God’s most perfect creation, second only to God himself.)

In recent times, the Holy Father Pope John Paul 2 wrote an Apostolic Letter on the Dignity of women (Mulieris Dignitatem), which is worthy of your attention if you want to know what the Christians in authority think of women. http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_15081988_mulieris-dignitatem_en.html.

Also consider this, all the people on this board who are telling you that Christians believe the women are not equal in dignity are not Christians themselves. However, all the Christians are telling you that we believe in the dignity and equality of women. Are you to accept what I say I believe, or what others tell you about me?

aarthur001-
true, there are many strong and persevering women depicted in scripture.
and mary suffered horribly.
BUT
The Southern Baptist Convention does not support the ordination of women.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not give women the priesthood.
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), which is the second largest Lutheran body in the United States, does not ordain women.
The Presbyterian Church in America does not ordain women, though the PCUSA does.
The Orthodox Presbyterian Churches do not ordain women.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church officially does not ordain women and the co-founder of the church, Ellen G. White, was a woman.
The official position of the Roman Catholic Church is that only a baptized man may be ordained.
while there are many churches that do ordain women, it amazes me that some of the largest denominations do not. the many female missionaries who are honored for their devotion, dedication and sacrifice are not allowed to be ordained.
that does not appear to be 'equal'.
and you are correct, I am not christian. I am not anything but that does not prevent me from understanding that many christian churches do NOT view women as equal.
women may suffer, they may sacrifice, they may give their lives in service to the church BUT HEAVEN FORBID they should be ordained to lead the church.

In answer to the specific question, weaker vessel would imply something that is more easily broken-- the 'kid gloves' that amblessed referred to. The husband is also commanded to love the wife as Christ loved the church-- by dying for it. Men and women are not equal, no matter how many times you say it. They are both different, weaker and stronger in different areas.

And since you seem to think I'll have a problem with scripture, here's my responses:

Lot offers his two daughters for gang rape, rather than letting the mob have their way with his male guests. 2 Pet.2:7-8. 19:8
> First, your references are wrong. Though 2 Pet 2:7-8 reference Lot, he is not praised for offering his daughters, but that he was vexed over the unrighteousness of the town he chose to live in. These verses don't reference the event of the male guests. And 2 Pet only has 3 chapters, so I can't comment on whatever 19:8 refers to.

Rachel considers herself worthless if she cannot produce children for her husband, so she offers her maid instead. Genesis 30:3
> Historical accuracy does not connote a specific attitude toward women. Simply put, that Rachel felt that her worth was contained in the ability to produce offspring indicates her opinion, not the Bible's.

It's Ok to sell your daughter, and there are specific instruction for what to do with them if they should displease their new master. Exodus 21:7
> This talks about a maidservant betrothed to a man for the payment of the debt and allows protection against her being sold into slavery to a foreign person. Hardly how you characterize it since betrothal was a common process in the Old Testament times whereby dowrys were presented, etc.

If you rape a women you must marry her. If the father refuses, you must pay him the going rate for virgins. Exodus 22:16
> Again, another circumstance with dowrys. And this shows how important God views sex, not how He views women. Casual sex was what was being outlawed here. If you had sex with her, you were to marry her.

Women are dirty and sinful after childbirth, so God prescribes rituals for their purification. Leviticus 12:1-5
> I take it that you haven't had any children? Current medical practice suggests 6 weeks of no sexual contact after childbirth to let the woman's body heal. I think that if you compare the 40 days prescribed for purification with the 6 weeks (42 days) the current doctors prescribe that you'll see that they're roughly equal. Far from being a knock on women, this was done to protect her body just as her OB doctor says now.

If a man dies and has no son, then his inheritance goes to his daughter. But if he has a son, then the daughter gets nothing. Numbers 27:8
> Land was to be kept in the family so that no family was left without. In order to ensure this, land was to be passed on to the males that carried the name rather than females who were integrated into other families. Same way that women assume the man's name and rarely vice versa. Hardly a comment on the status of the woman.

If you see a pretty woman among the captives and would like her for a wife, then just bring her home and 'go in unto her.' Later, if you decide you don't like her, you can 'let her go.' Deuteronomy 21:11-14
> Again, you leave out the protection for the woman. If you go and take her (which would be merciful in that you could rightly have killed her) and then you humble her and make her your wife, you can let her go, but you cannot sell her, you cannot make merchandise off her. She is not to be a slave. Rather than treating her like dirt, she has value.

If a man marries, then decides that he hates his wife, he can claim she wasn't a virgin when they were married. If her father can't produce the 'tokens of her virginity' (bloody sheets), then the woman is to be stoned to death at her father's doorstep. Deuteronomy 22:13-21
> If she is not a virgin than she and the one who defiled her deserve death according to the Mosaic code. (Deut 22:22, which you conveniently leave out) Again, sexual sin is what it important here, not the value of the woman. In fact, you're placing incorrect emphasis. In the passage noted, the emphasis is on the man. If the man doesn't like her and lies about her, then he is to be punished.

If a man rapes an unbetrothed virgin, he must pay her father 50 shekels of silver and then marry her. Deuteronomy 22:28-29
> The man has to take responsibility for his actions. He lied with the woman and now he has to pay for it, and take her as wife. More about sex than it is the value of the woman.

Should I go on? Old Testament you say? Doesn't count? How about these ones?
> So far, all you've managed to prove with your verses is that you're pretty good at copying and pasting (unless you really thought there was a 2 Pet 19, and really thought that 2 Pet referenced what happened in Genesis), what Rachel thought about herself, and that God was really interested in protecting the woman and sex was to be shared in marriage. In actuality, you proved that God protected the woman and cared for her more than present day America, because today a man's able to lie with a woman with no strings attached. He can hookup with her and dump her and feel no remorse and take little responsibility for it unless he bears a child. If he does that, he can simply have her abort it.
> I'd think that more women would feel valued if they knew that men couldn't just abuse them, lie about them, or sleep with them without any responsibility. Of course, there will be exceptions and women that want to sleep around, but in general, the Bible, at least in your Old Testament references, holds the woman in high esteem and demands that men take responsibility.

Jesus says that divorce is permissible when the wife is guilty of fornication. Matthew 5:32
> Actually, what He says is that no-fault divorce is wrong, and that the only permissible reason for divorce is fornication. Again, protecting the woman, who was (at the time) reliant on the provision of the man. Puts the woman in high esteem.

In the last days God will make things especially rough on pregnant women. Matthew 13:17
> Again, bad reference. If you correct it, I'll comment.

[E]ven Mary had to be 'purified' after giving birth to Jesus. Was she defiled by giving birth to the Son of God? Matthew 2:22
> Again with the whole problem with the same advice that contemporary OBGYNs give out? Certainly you don't need a biology lesson?

Jesus tells Mary Magdalene not to touch him because he hasn't yet ascended -- as if the touch of a woman would defile him and somehow prevent him from ascending into heaven. John 20:17
> In this case, it's hardly that the problem is that she's a woman. You're putting that in the text, arguing from silence. The whole line that it would prevent His ascent is also an argument from silence.

Paul explains that 'the natural use' of women is to act as sexual objects for the pleasure of men. Romans 1:27
> No, Paul argues that sexual relations are to be done between opposite sexes, not within the sex. Context, again, defeats your argument.

Paul says 'the head of the woman is the man,' meaning that the women are to be subordinate to men. 1 Corinthians 11:3
> As Man is subordinated to Christ and Christ to God. Simply an established order. And you must remember that Christ died for all, and explained that leadership in His kingdom comes by being a servant. In this case, women are to be served by their leader, their husband, as well as being submissive to his leadership.

If a woman refuses to cover her head in church, then her her head must be shaved. 1 Corinthians 11:5-6
> This does not speak to the value of a woman or whether she is weaker.

Women are commanded by Paul to be silent in church and to be obedient to men. He further says that 'if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in church.' 1 Corinthians 14:34-35
> There is some discussion here about what was going on in Corinth specifically and whether this is a general application. Corinth was also lectured about too many speaking in tongues during the service and needing more interpreters. Of all that you listed so far, this is the best one that you've had. And even then, we're talking about behavior inside of a church primarily, not speaking about women in general.

Wives must reverence their husband. Ephesians 5:33
> And this verse starts 'let everyone love his own wife as himself.' Last time I checked there's not a man that doesn't love himself, and if you have to love your wife like you love yourself, how hard will it be to show him respect. I would argue that this actually puts the harder burden on the husband, as he is to love her, whereas the woman is only commanded (in this verse) to pay him respect.

'Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.' 1 Timothy 2:11-12
> Practical, concerning the times, but also goes toward the church functioning as a group and order of submission rather than a comment on whether a woman is weaker.

Only 144,000 celibate men will be saved. (Those who were not 'defiled with women.') Revelations 14:1-4
> Paul talks at length to the ability of a man (or woman) to be able to commit their entire person to Christ by not having a wife and family. This is more talking about sex and marriage than it is the worth of the woman.

All that being said, you should attempt to actually quote things in context, and refrain from using historical account of a person's opinion as a command or indicative of the work. You should also do a little research into common biological processes, and keep in mind that the Bible does confer an organizational structure (headship, leadership submission) but then goes to great detail to specify how leaders are to act-- which is the opposite of the common culture.

Christ said that earthly leaders exercise lordship and dominion over subjects, but that Christians should not be so-- that each was to esteem the other better than themselves and to serve one another.

Now, I'll be the first to grant that this is radical and many Christians don't live this in their lives, for if they did the impact would be tremendous. We wouldn't being having this conversation if Christians did all that they could in the power and for the glory of Christ.

I didn't read all the answers, but, I especially liked Amblessed's.

Jesus came to restore a woman to her rightful place, beside her husband. She had been degraded to a person of very little value, but, to him, she was priceless. He knew her worth, and wanted her to be able to reach her full potential.

This will not be done, thru the feminist movement, (sorry girls) it will be done, by submitting to God, and to her husband, and allowing Christ to elevate her, to where he wants her to be.

Any by this, I do not mean that she is less than, but, when her attitude is right, her husband will cherish her. She will be the queen of his life. He will bend over backward to serve her and please her.

She will love him and nourish him, and strengthen and bless him, and he will be her hero. This is the relationship that I believe God has for every Godly woman. I know that tension exists in marriage, but, if we follow the precepts given in the word, we will be able to work thru them.

Every man wants to be king of his castle, and he wants a queen. No body needs two kings. Nor two queens. That was not the way God designed it. One man, and one woman, for life.

Lived in submission to each other, and to their heavenly father.

A woman has to be free in Christ, to achieve her true potential. If we are to be filled with the same Holy Spirit as a man, and if we are to be led, as a man, then, we have to be able to follow.

Jesus said, we are all one in him. No male no female. One new man. Man, being male and female. Both, being in subjection to him. Both being led by him. Both being able to fulfill their God given destinies. Both complimenting one another. Both walking in love, and subjection, one to the other.

The woman is the weaker sex, in the fact that she is more emotional, normally, than a man. A man can stand his ground better than a woman, for the most part. He is stronger in that way.

And being a woman, that does not bother me at all, in fact, I am very glad that my husband can stand in the gap for me, when need be. He is strong enough to defend me, if need be. I have run to him, more than once, for the protection that he offers.

I am very glad that he is a man, and that I am a woman, and that God made this kind of relationship possble, and that he taught me how to make it workable.

I am strong... yet, I am weak... and I have no problem admitting that. I believe I would be lying to myself to think otherwise.

I cry, he acts.

And I am ok with that.

He empowers me, and I do likewise with him.

Together, we are complete.

Without each other, both would be incomplete.

He has strengths, I have strengths.

We do not compete with one another.

Neither of us is threatened by the other.

He does not fear my strength, nor do I his.

I do not Lord it over him, nor does he over me.

If it comes down to making a decision, and we can't agree, I choose to go his way.

I see him as my head.

And Christ is over both of us.

Submission in love, one to the other, for the Glory of God.

A woman weaker? they have children right. . . . . . . . Behind every great man you will find a strong woman. . . . . Be it his mother or his spouse. . . or Both.

Silverwings, you are completely delusional!!

Did you even read any of askegg's scripture quotes. You belief system is very selective.

'BEHIND every great man you will find a strong woman...'

exactly the point...why not BESIDE?

and silverwings (believe me no one on this site is surprised that you didn't read all the answers, gosh there were only TEN, or that you especially liked amblessed's)

'The woman is the weaker sex, in the fact that she is more emotional, normally, than a man. A man can stand his ground better than a woman, for the most part. He is stronger in that way.'

the fact that is coming from a woman, turns my stomach.

you are the perfect example of the point many here were trying to make.

I believe you missed the point amoeda. . . that is an old saying from long ago. it could probably be beside if you wish. After all in the Christian belief woman was made from a rib which is considered to be in ancient times at the side, And the reason she was behind was because the was pushing him and holding him up. . . a lot of great men would not get where they was at with out a woman constantly pushing him to do better. . . . . AND to be someone she and her children can be proud of.

The question is, what does 'behind' mean? Sure, it can mean the Islamic 'you must walk 5 paces behind me' but it also can mean a guiding force, or source of strength.

Indeed, it has been said that it is because of women that men do the things that they do-- they write the things that they do, they create the things that they do-- very often they have something pushing them to be all that they can be.

Truth be told, if you look back at Genesis and look why woman was created it was because it was not good that man was alone. Man could not be (and therefore woman could not be) all that they could be without the other. Each needed the other. Woman was not created to be man's slave, but his help meet.

Women, at least in the Judeo-Christian tradition, have had to deal with the 'curse of Eve' for centuries now. The fact that the Biblical tale has Eve succombing to the temptation of the serpent and then tempting Adam into sinning, has become an excuse to persecute and suppress women for a long time. WOmen have been viewed as evil temptresses, the more sinister and seductive of the two genders.

The curse goes something like this: woman will have the desire to be the dominant sex, but the way of the world will result in man being the dominant sex and woman having to deal with it.

Many Christians look at this and say, 'well female submission to male authority is sanctioned by God, or at least a fact of life after the Fall'. The problem with this line of thinking is that, it was a CURSE. It's not the way things are supposed to be. The original intent, as least as far as I can tell, was for men and women to be equal. This is the desirable outcome of gender relations. Rules and commandments that treat women as inferiors are based on the flawed reasoning that the Curse is somehow what God wanted, rather than what God enacted to punish the transgressions of the hungry first couple.

Again, this is just an interpretation of a story. It's not my view that any of this took place or that it is the best guideline for how to look at gender relations. But the BIble has been misinterpreted many times, and this is no excpetiion.

I find it funny that Christians will rationalize, excuse, and ignore 'God's' absurdity, and sexism displayed in the Bible.

Don't you know why? Because God is a fictional character written in the image of crude men.

rnealw- thanks but I didn't miss the point...
behind is behind.
it is an antiquated saying from an antiquated, repressed time.

Now, there was a time,
when they used to say,
that behind ev'ry great man,
there had to be a great woman.
But oh, in these times of change,
you know that it's no longer true.
So we're comin' out of the kitchen,
'cause there's something we forgot to say to you.
We say, Sisters are doin' it for themselves,

if genders are equal, and christianity believes that women are not spiritually weaker than men...
please CHRISTIANS explain why MANY denominations DENY women the right to be ordained?