What Men Owe to Women

"Since the early 1970s we have heard the voices of women detailing the gender inequities long prevalent in the world's religions. In this book, they are at last joined by a formidable collection of male scholars who know their traditions intimately. Reflecting on these traditions—ranging from Hinduism, Buddhism, Orthodox Judaism, Taoism, Islam, African and Native American religions to Protestantism and Catholicism—each man finds useful resources for gender equality. A few go further and provide insightful critiques of the contemporary economic and social reality that makes the need to work for social justice for women essential for the survival of religion itself. What Men Owe to Women should be both a resource and a springboard for further discussion. Women as well as men need to know what it says, then add their own experience and views to a subject critical to contemporary life as well as religion." — National Catholic Reporter

"The astonishing point that comes across loud and clear in this book, is that diverse religious traditions have long been held hostage to patriarchal visions and authority. Seeing the diverse cultural evolutions side-by-side emphasizes the similar yet different ways traditions were fashioned by the hands of men. From a comparative religions perspective, this book sheds much light on the varying interpretive strategies employed by religions as they work toward a similar (and suspect) end." — Kathryn Kueny, Lawrence University