Is the patriarchal system could foster violence against women?

Abstract

The belief that patriarchy could foster violence against women is pretty widely adopted paradigm, especially in regard to societies that feel relationship with the teachings of the Bible. So we have to ask ourselves first and foremost question: Is the biblical texts where we can find grounds for such a judgment? And then: Do we properly understand these texts that seem to suggest the dominance of man over woman? And again: How much of our behavior is influenced by the teaching of the Bible, and to what extent this is the result of social conditions that shaped independently from the original source, or even in opposition to it? As the basis for answers to these questions we took three biblical texts, one from the Old Testament (Gen 1:26–27; 2:7.21–23) and two from the new one (1 Co 14:33b–35 and 1Tim 2:11–15) . The research shows that in Genesis we see a revolutionary change, bordering almost with a kind of social revolution. Here it turns out that both in the text dating from the X c. BC. (Gen 2:7.21–23) and in that of approx. V in. BC. (Gen 1:26–27) a woman is not inferior to a man in anything. They are completely equal. Observing the situation in Corinth, to which Paul responds in a very decisive manner (1 Co 11:2–16; 14:33b–36), it seems that once again everything goes back to “normal” for the domination of man. However, it is not. Firstly, in response to a specific situation, that is demanding from women fulfilling their cultic functions. Secondly, the comments concerning the behavior of women and men in the liturgy contain a model of an ideal disciple (female) and an ideal teacher (male). As we know, the student listens as long as is a disciple. When he ceases to be a disciple, he ceases to remain silent and becoming a teacher starts talking. The same applies to the indications included in 1 Tim 2:11–15. The woman, as a mother and wife had a clearly defined and privileged position in marriage and family. But she could not move this position to liturgical assembly, even if they took place in the house, which was owned by her husband. So the final conclusion is that patriarchy, although firmly rooted in Judaism and from there taken by Christianity, does not have to foster depreciating of the position of women in society. The analyzed texts tend to support the position equal to man, although both a woman, and a man have their proper position in the liturgical assembly, according to the received charisms.