Name: cat's review of When God Was A Woman by Merlin Stone
Item: When God Was A Woman
Rating: 4
Author: cat

Merlin Stone

Here, archaeologically documented,is the story of the religion of the Goddess. Under her, women’s roles were far more prominent than in patriarchal Judeo-Christian cultures. Stone describes this ancient system and, with its disintegration, the decline in women’s status.

When God Was A Woman

Olena 

Here, archaeologically documented, is the story of the religion of the Goddess. Known by many names--Astarte, Isis, Ishtar, among others--she reigned supreme in the Near and Middle East. Beyond being worshipped for fertility, she was revered as the wise creator and the one souce of universal order. Under her, women's roles differed markedly from those in patriarchal Judeo-Christian cultures. Women bought and sold property and traded in the marketplace, and the inheritance of title and property was passed from mother to daughter. How did the change come about? By documenting the wholesale rewriting of myth and religious dogmas, Merlin Stone details a most ancient conspiracey: the patriarchal reimaging of the Goddess as a wanton, depraved figure. This portrait that laid the foundation for one of culture's greatest shams--the legend of Adam and fallen Eve.

When God was a Woman

Really great and full of incredible information, just long-winded in the middle chunk when she's describing the migrations of each people 

Yeah, this is another must-read. It's amazing how much of this has been lost to time (or, more accurately, because of men). I won't be commenting on faith, but instead on religion -- and it's wild how politics plays so much into it when we're led to believe that it's not. I've seen similarities between Greek mythology and modern Christian mythology, but it was so good to read it all in one spot how religion itself has evolved over the years. Some of the language/terminology in this is dated, as a warning. But, to those like me who still hold faith — knowledge is power, and this book is a great step to taking some of it back from those who wish to control us in our own faiths. 

(Bre)anne✨

TW to be added later

Yeah, this is another must-read. It's amazing how much of this has been lost to time (or, more accurately, because of men). I won't be commenting on faith, but instead on religion -- and it's wild how politics plays so much into it when we're led to believe that it's not. I've seen similarities between Greek mythology and modern Christian mythology, but it was so good to read it all in one spot how religion itself has evolved over the years. Some of the language/terminology in this is dated, as a warning. But, to those like me who still hold faith — knowledge is power, and this book is a great step to taking some of it back from those who wish to control us in our own faiths. 

Neva Davies

An important look into world religions and what that meant for women

This book was really in-depth and informative regarding the earliest religions, which have all but been forgotten in light of conquest. The amount of research needed to really give us a deeper look into what it means to be a woman in a religion which does not respect your autonomy was so well done that I didn't realize at first just how old this book is. It continues to hold up. I will definitely be reading several of the books and articles referenced in the bibliography.

Olena &
When God Was A Woman by Merlin Stone

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Olena &When God Was A Woman by Merlin Stone

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Join the club

Olena &
When God Was A Woman by Merlin Stone