Hmmm. Okay...

Stilly - Good point about Diana. There are 2 really significant Marys in the New Testament...Mary the mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, who may well have been Jesus' wife (or romantic partner) and who also appears to have been his most perceptive disciple by far as regards the heart of his teachings. The Church decided to venerate the sexless figure of the Virgin Mary (the mother) and to label Mary Magdalene as a reformed prostitute (probably with an intention of reducing her importance in the early church). In this respect, I think there are some interesting parallels between Mary Magdalene and Diana...given that they were both labelled as "whores"...albeit with greater hostility in Diana's case.

I've never been sympathetic toward the great Patriarchy. I'd rather see the women in charge if I had to choose between genders...but more than that, I'd rather see women and men sharing equal status and influence.