Currently, this page contains very little personal written editorial. Instead, we have begun by listing quotes which show the divergent views people have felt and feel about the role of religion in women's lives. At the end of the quotes, you will find links to other sites discusing religion. The clergy was in the forefront of the fight against suffrage.

I will greatly multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children; yet your desire shall be for your husband and he shall rule over you.
THE BIBLE

Woman, I am aware, stands charged to the present day with having brought sin into the world. I shall not repel the charges by any counter assertions, although as was hinted, Adam's ready acquiescence with his wife's proposal does not savour much of that superiority in strength of mind that is arrogated by man. Even admitting that Eve was the greater sinner, it seems to me that man might be satisfied with the dominion he has claimed and exercised for nearly six thousand years, and that more true nobility would be manifested by endeavouring to raise the fallen and invigorate the weak, than by keeping women in subjection. I ask no favours for my sex. I surrender not our claim to equality. All I ask of our brethren is that they will take their feet from off our necks.
Sarah Grimke, 1838.

[Women are] little balls of fluff in the eyes of the Creator. It's an endearing term I would use to describe my wife.
Donald Pomerleau (appointee to President Reagan's 'Administration of Justice' task force) 1981.

Blessed art thou O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has not made me a woman.
Daily prayer for Jewish males.

Woman is a stupid vessel over whom man must always hold power, for the man is higher and better than she; for the regiment and dominion belong to man as the head and master of the house; as St Paul says elsewhere: man is god's honour and god's image. Item: Man does not exist for the sake of woman, but woman exists for the sake of the man and hence there shall be this difference that a man shall love his wife, but never be subject to her, but the wife shall honor and fear the husband.
Martin Luther, 1483-1546.

By law, public sentiment and religion, from the time of Moses down to the present day, woman has never been thought of as other than a piece of property to be disposed of at the will and pleasure of man.
Susan B. Anthony

Man is above woman as Christ is above man. It is unchangeable that woman is destined to live under man's influence, and has no authority from her lord.
St. Thomas Aquinas, 1225-74.