Women in religion has been a controversial subject for many years. Even though advances have been made to include women, we as women still have a long road ahead of us. Women are still not seen in as many significant positions as men, but the roles of women in the church are gradually changing. Women are even being seen in pastor or reverend positions today. .
The subject of women in religion goes back even before the Civil War. Women were promoting the cause of equality within the church. They argued for the admission of women in seminaries and into the ministry. Particularly, a woman named Anna Howard Shaw was seen as a great preacher and fought to teach the message of God from the pulpit, though she was turned down many times. Even though she knew even as much as her male counterpart, she was forbidden to have her voice heard. (Carr, p. 10-12.).
One significant point in history to women is the Reformation. The Reformation brought about some changes in .
the church's way of viewing women. Reformation teachings of the "priesthood of all believers" made it very important for all Christians to be able to read the bible. Children were then required to go to school so they could learn to read. This included little girls. Because the girls were being taught, the roles of nuns in the church were diminishing. Girls had no need to be nuns in order to be educated, so they simply didn't become nuns. Women took on a new role. They now could read and understand the bible so they taught their children about their faith. This feminist movement for equality soon died out only to resurface in a later time. (Carr, p. 12-14.).
Later in the twentieth century the movement for women regained steam. In the 1960s, women were fighting for bigger roles in the churches such as education, more participation, and decision-making power. Churches still had difficulty with the acceptance of women, even those that allowed the ordination of women.