Archaeologists have found mother-goddess figures in the Middle East, indicating that fertility goddesses were worshiped in the Neolithic Period prior to the rise of cities.
True
With the invention of agriculture came the concept of property in the form of land, draft animals, and eventually humans (slaves); however, the historian Gerda Lerner posits that women's sexuality and reproductive capacity were the first "property" that tribes competed for.
True
Even though Mesopotamian states were patriarchal, they treated husbands and wives the same under divorce law, and adultery was penalized equally for both sexes.
False
Over time, the laws decreeing male control of women became increasingly harsh in the city-states of Mesopotamia.
True
The rise of agriculture and the development of property led to a change in social structure from patriarchy to matriarchy.
False
The status of women improved under patriarchy because men realized that women were a form of property they could exchange for other men's women.
False
With the development of agriculture and the establishment of cities, overall the status of women improved compared to their status in more primitive hunter and gatherer societies.
False
Patriarchy is based on patrilineal descent (children belongs to the lineage of their father rather than their mother) and reflects a desire to pass one's property on to one's (male) heirs.
True
Upper class women sometimes played an important role in the economic and political structure of a patriarchal society.
True
As patriarchy became established, a distinction emerged between "respectable" women who belonged to men of high status, as opposed to women who were sexually available (slaves, prostitutes, and concubines).
True
According to the laws set forth in Leviticus, men and women are of equal monetary worth.
False
According to Leviticus, any person who blasphemes the name of the Lord shall be killed.
True
The Old Testament clearly condemns prostitution and the keeping of concubines.
False
According to Leviticus, only a woman can be rendered impure by menstruation.
False
Desire for her husband is part of Eve's punishment after the Fall.
True
Esther uses both her beauty and her intelligence in helping save the Jewish people.
True
At Jephthah's victory celebration his daughter is married to the son of the king.
False
Tamar is raped by Absalom.
False
The story of the concubine in Judges 19 teaches that men must protect the women of their family.
False
There are two different versions of the story of the creation of man in Genesis 1-3.
True
Contradictions in the New Testament can be explained if we accept the view that the followers of Jesus sometimes changed his teachings because they were so radical.
True
Among early Christians, celibacy gave moral authority to men but not to women.
False
Some groups of Jews practiced celibacy in preparation for the end of the world.
True
Thecla's engagement shows that marriages in the Roman world were based mainly on mutual love.
False
Divorce was unacceptable among the Jews.
False
When Thecla was thrown to the beasts, she was defended by a she-lion.
True
The followers of Jesus of Nazareth believed that the world as they knew it would soon end, making way for the Kingdom of God.
True
The Pagan Romans encouraged polygamy to enable the birth of as many children as possible.
False
The teachings of Jesus followed Pagan and Jewish tradition by strongly emphasizing a person's obligation to family.
False
Thecla's fiance was converted to Christianity by her steadfast refusal to marry him so long as he was a Pagan.
False
During the early centuries of the Christian Era, Christian teachings were more "pure" and simple than they are today.
False
Irenaeus, the Bishop of Lyon (c. 180 C.E.) composed a five volume work supporting the teachings of the gnostic Christians.
False
In "The Varieties of Religious Experience" the American philosopher and psychologist William James (brother of the novelist Henry James) argues that a religious text could have "truth value" even though it was written by fallible human beings. (See Pagel's "Epilogue.")
True
Valentinus, a Christian leader in Alexandria, Egypt (c. 140-160 C.E.), came to power within the orthodox church by attacking gnostic believers.
False
Gnostic Christians believed that they did not need the guidance of religious authorities (such as priests or bishops) but could seek spiritual knowledge (gnosis) through their own efforts.
True
Gnostic teachings have been compared to Hindu conceptions of the divine because they describe a divine being hidden deep within human nature, which is a spiritual potential that often remains untapped.
True
Gnostics can be regarded as forerunners to today's fundamentalist Christians because they believed in reading Genesis "literally."
False
Not all Gnostics claimed that celibacy was superior to marriage.
True
In the Gospel of Mary, Mary wept when Peter and Andrew accused her of making up teachings that were not truly from Jesus.
True
By the third century orthodox Christians considered Gnostic Christians dangerous, deviant heretics.
True
St. Anthony resisted all of the devil's temptations except for the time when the devil appeared in the shape of a woman.
False
Anthony became a martyr under the persecution of Christians by Maximinus.
False
During the period when St. Jerome wielded influence, the Catholic Church required priests to be celibate, and this rule was successfully enforced on all priests.
False
The story of Pinian and Melania exemplifies how becoming celibate went hand in hand with renouncing all power and influence.
False
With the decline in persecution of Christians after the conversion of Emperor Constantine in 312 C.E., some Christians who wanted to demonstrate their faith saw ascetic practices as an alternative to martyrdom.
True
Gregory of Nyssa wrote that the natural desire for children will always result in pain.
True
Saint Jerome extolled holy virginity and was himself a lifelong celibate monk.
False
Jovinian was excommunicated for arguing that celibacy was no holier than marriage.
True
Methodius' dramatic dialogue entitled "Symposium of the Ten Virgins" concludes that marriage is the path through which Christian women achieve complete freedom.
False
Saint Jerome wrote that God's love was the one thing that could cancel out the sin of a fallen virgin and raise her to a place of special honor in heaven.
False
In "The Ankle Bracelet" the execution of Kovalan was punishment for sins he committed against his wife--going off with a courtesan and spending all his wife's dowry on her.
False
Judith had to rely on her wisdom and intelligence because she was a very plain-looking woman.
False
Judith was a prostitute who was transformed into a heroine when she killed Holofernes.
False
Joan of Arc enjoyed a coddled upbringing as the daughter of a powerful noble family.
False
'Aisha was in her twenties at the time when she consummated her marriage to the Prophet.
False
'Aisha was the first wife of the Prophet Muhammed.
False
Shilappadikaram shows a wife's anger as righteous and powerful because her husband has wronged her.
False
Matriliny existed in Arabia at the time when Islam was founded.
True
Judith called upon God for strength before she beheaded Holofernes.
True
The fact that Joan dressed in men's clothing was an issue at her trial and one reason she was burned at the stake as a heretic.
True
Catholic Church officials unanimously admired Catherine for her extreme fasting.
False
Mira is revered for her motherhood.
False
Rabi'a considered God (Allah) to be her true lover.
True
Rabi'a lived a pure and holy life from the moment in her girlhood when her father received a message from the Prophet Muhammed in a dream.
False
As a new bride, Mira alienated herself from her husband's family when she refused to bow her head to her mother-in-law and to the goddess who was the family's chosen deity.
True
Some detractors suspected Catherine of being a witch who was secretly fed by the Devil.
True
While Catherine engaged in some ascetic practices as a young girl, she began to devote herself full-time to an ascetic, spiritual life after her beloved sister Bonaventura died in childbirth.
True
Rabi'a began her life in poverty, but she grew rich due to her skills as a musician and dancer.
False
Mira's devotion to Lord Krishna was second only to her love for her husband.
False
St. Catherine lived to a ripe old age and became a revered teacher, much like Thecla.
