This is a bit lengthy, but is a very big issue with me, and that is the issue of women's rights. I do agree with women allowing their husbands to make a final decision, being on how women think with their hearts and men think with their heads, making choices often times more logical ones. But, the husband according to God is supposed to love his wife as his own flesh. If I love someone as much as I love myself and I was not selfish, then I would never make somebody do something they do not want to do.
Allow me to discuss 2 ancient middle eastern religions. Please read this - it is more interesting that you think.
These are the rights of Jewish women and wives: (Quote taken from http://www.jewish-women.com/)
"Jewish women can be discriminated against in marriage and divorce under Jewish law. While ancient Jewish law was designed to protect and support Jewish women, today that same law is being used by some as a tool to deny women their rights to equality in marriage, divorce, and the founding of a family. The Jewish community readily admits that the shameful situation of the agunah, a woman chained to an unwanted or non-existent marriage who cannot be released without her husband’s consent... It is common knowledge that some Jewish husbands withhold their consent to a religious divorce..."
"The 32-year-old woman, who has asked for her name not to be made public, was granted a civil divorce from her husband in 1992. But the man has refused to give her a religious divorce... her marriage is void and any children of a new marriage are illegitimate."
These are the rights of Muslim women and wives: (Quote taken from http://www.mwlusa.org/pub_issues.html)
Family laws pertaining to marriage and divorce... with the rights of the husband superceding those of the wife and... prevent women from being in control of their lives.
Violence against women which occurs in the home, community... claimed by some to be allowed by Islam when it is not.
Abuse of certain Islamic practices that affect women negatively, such as polygamy and temporary marriage, when applied out of context...
Excluding women from religious activities such as attendance in the mosque which has clearly been established as the Muslim woman's right.
Failure to promote the importance of a woman's contribution to society beyond child-bearing.
Failure to enable women to take advantage of rights of property ownership and inheritance...
Focusing on the behavior of women... subjecting them to harassment, intimidation or discrimination.
Lack of awareness of... men in contributing... in sharing household responsibilities and child-rearing...
Now, here is my point. Single women are usually not accepted into Bethel. Why? Women are forbidden to give talks. Why? Women cannot conduct a field service meeting. Why? I was told not to pray to my daughter in front of my husband unless I wore a head covering. Why?
OK, I do know why, but I think it is all horse shit. To be blunt, I knew more than half the elders in our hall knew when it came to the doctrines of the watchtower. Many of the pioneers knew 10x's the amount of the elders in our hall, making them fine teachers, yet they were not allowed to speak before men.
Looking back at it all it makes me sick. A young sister left her worldly husband who was emotionally abusive and the elder Gestapo is after her now. HELLO! Is this lame or what? If I went tomorrow to the elders in our hall and told them I was abused and wanted a divorce, you know what they would say? I do. And I know I would be denied to remarry if I fell in love just because he didn't have sexual intercourse with another woman (as in penetration of a woman only.)
Go figure.