The Bible, like all religious works, cotradicts itself repeatedly. It is this, not its mixed messages, that make it so unbelievable.

Ben, York,

Anyone with an open mind and an honest search for historical truth will find that 1) Christianity has treated women far better than any other world religion (especially Islam), and 2) Judaism is not far behind. The feminist argument is PC hogwash.

Sam, Acton, Massachusetts, USA

The Israelite culture was patriarchal, therefore men's roles would have been emphasized. However there are strong, good women prtrayed in the Bible as well. What about Deborah, Esther, Mary, Lydia, Elizabeth, Abigail, Sarah, Miriam, Naomi, and the many others?

Lindley, Boone, USA

Hi Johan, Stockholm >>> I have also read Dawkins as well as many others who are offended by Christianity. I have read just under 2000 books in the last 30 years. A colleague of Richard Dawkins' is Stuart McAllister Ph.D. who is a Christian apologist who very effectively answers Dawkins' assertions.

Bruce, Texarkana, USA

Anyone who has ever been open-minded, noticed how Jesus lived his life and treated women, noted the matter-of-fact descriptions of success and failures (of both men and women) will surely have noted and appreciated the equality of both men and women too. It's about time more people noticed.

Ben, Texas, USA

Johan and Colin, you sound like logical fellows.....I challenge you to read the book "Mere Christianity", by CS Lewis.

Cynthia Gee, Shippensburg, PA, USA

How about the story of Sodom and Gomorrah? The townspeople want to rape the angels, so what does kindly old Lot do? Offer up his daughters instead. No, it's *certainly* not sexist at all.

Durandan, BSB,

Bruce,

I have been reading Dawkins! I have also been reading a lot of additional scientific literature as well as fiction since it's part of my interest as well as my job to keep myself well informed and up to date. Maybe you should to? Then we can talk! Until then, good luck with your studies:)

Johan, Stockholm, Sweden

[ The bible is nothing more than a poorly written book. Nothing special and nothing super natural. ]

Wishful thinking. Certainly your personal *opinion* - but one not based on reality, evidence, or historical fact. Sounds like you have been reading too much Richard Dawkins.

Bruce, Texarkana, USA

Misogynistic, Colin? Did you also read the part in Judges 4 where the woman drove a tent peg through the temples of the enemy king's head while he slept when trying to hide her family's tent? If I wrote the Bible and hated women, I wouldn't put that part in there.

Kirsten, Greenville, USA

RE: "[The Bible is] not just sexist but positively misogynistic."

Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself for her." The Apostle Paul, The Bible.

Bruce, Texarkana, USA

Nathan, Cambridge, uk;

Why not, is there a law against it. Just at this moment you are quoting for your own purposes. The bible is nothing more than a poorly written book. Nothing special and nothing super natural. The sad part is when people actually pays any attention to bronze age nonsense.

Johan, Stockholm, Sweden

Colin,
you you can't just misquote the Bible for your own sake!

The story is there as an illustration of how far Israel had fallen... its depravity and NOT some example of good moral behaviour!

Nathan, Cambridge, uk

julie, hull, england;

Doesn't god speak english? Couldn't he just fly by and help out with the translations. I do agree with you Julie, I just wanted to add that religion itself is a system of control. An effective one but nothing more. I you believe there is more, you are controlled.

Johan, Stockholm, Sweden

Question: Would feminists, then, concede, that books written by women for women using feminine language - are sexist?

Bruce, Texarkana, USA

No book and no other religion has elevated the status of women as high as the Bible.

Camille, Chicago, USA

of course we have to remember that the bible wasn't written in english and has been translated, by people who wanted the bible to say what they needed it to say, so they could control the masses.

julie, hull, england

not just sexist but positively misogynistic. For example, in "The Levite and his Concubine" has the "kindly" master of the house in Gib'e-ah offering his daughter and concubine to be raped instead of his male guest. The concubine is raped and killed after which the kindly master dismembers her.

Colin, London, UK

Colin,
I find it fascinating that you comment so much on a topic (I've seen some of your other comments) that you don't even believe in. Is it your own insecurity or do you secretly harbor some mixed emotions on the subject?

Jim , Houston, USA

"New Research"?!?!?!?!

It sounds like someone just actually read the Bible. Imagine that.

John, motown, zimbabwe

I never thought about it before but if you were to similar study on men in the Bible I wonder what you'd conclude -- the narrative is filled with failed and evil men ... does it follow that it is anti male ... perhaps anti-human? No, it simply exposes evil to prove the need for grace!

Andrew Pierce, Carrigallen, Co. Leitrim, Ireland

It's the bible that's the myth...all myth.

colin, kelowna bc, canada

On the discussion of Eve, you neglect St. Paul's commentary on the Temptation narrative (Gen. 3...the only time we hear Eve speak...), which seems to indicate a naivete on her part, leading to the Fall--which is why, Paul argues, men, not women, should lead in Church. (I Tim. 2:11-14)

Ralph Davis, Matthews, USA