In many religions, there are rules governing what is acceptable behavior for men and women when it comes to their bodies. This can include dress codes, prohibitions against certain types of touching or interactions, and even specific rituals that must be followed in order to maintain spiritual purity. These restrictions often stem from a belief system that sees the body as something that needs to be controlled in order to prevent sin or transgression.
Some scholars have argued that these religious myths also serve another purpose: they legitimize bodily control over others. By creating a narrative where one group has power over another based on physical attributes, these stories reinforce the idea that those who hold this power should be respected and obeyed. In this way, religion can help justify oppression and exploitation.
In Christianity, Adam and Eve's fall from grace involved them disobeying God by eating fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. As punishment, they were banished from Paradise and cursed with painful childbirth and a desire for dominance over each other. This story has been used throughout history to justify male dominance over women, particularly in terms of sex and reproduction. It suggests that men are inherently superior because they possess strength and agency while women are weak and subservient. Women's reproductive organs have also been seen as dangerous or impure, requiring special care to keep them clean and pure.
In Islam, there is a long tradition of polygamy being permissible for men but not for women. Some interpretations of the Quran suggest that a man may take up to four wives at once, provided he treats all equally. This puts men in a position of power over their wives, allowing them to decide how many partners they will have and when sexual relations will occur. It also means that women must accept whatever arrangements are made without complaint. Polygamy is often justified by reference to the Prophet Muhammad's own marriages, which some Muslims believe were divinely sanctioned.
In Judaism, there are rules about how Jews should dress modestly and behave around members of the opposite sex. These guidelines emphasize physical restraint and chastity, suggesting that men and women should avoid touching or looking at one another too closely. This can be interpreted as a way of maintaining respect and distance between genders, but it also reinforces the idea that women are vulnerable and need protection from men who might try to abuse them. The Talmud even includes stories of rabbis who would beat disobedient wives with rods in order to remind them of their place.
Religious myths about bodily control can also impact gender identity and expression. In Hinduism, there is a belief that certain body types or features indicate a person's caste or gender, and anyone who deviates from these norms is considered impure.
People born intersex or transgender may be seen as defying nature and thus subject to punishment or exclusion. Similarly, in Buddhism, the ideal monk is someone who has renounced worldly pleasures and lives ascetically, eschewing all forms of sensual indulgence. Those who fail to follow this path risk damning themselves to rebirth as an animal or demon.
Religious myths have been used throughout history to justify power imbalances and oppression based on physical attributes. By controlling what people do with their bodies, religions can create narratives where some groups are superior while others must submit or suffer consequences. This type of legitimization allows for inequality and exploitation to continue, perpetuating cycles of violence and domination.