John,

I stand corrected. Actually, went I went to lunch today (thinking about your earlier answer) I realized that I had blundered by equating the New Testament for the most part with the sum of Christian law. My fault for trying to generalize too much. Was coming back online to retract the statement, but you beat me to it :)

However, the vast majority of Muslims are monogamous. Those that are polygamous justify it with the Quran, but it isn't common anymore, maybe because there just aren't that many extra women to go around.

Jed: Although Christianity emphasizes the New Testament over the Old Testament, why would you say that it is not included in Christian religious canon? (I really want to know.) It appears in most Bibles. I did try to avoid associating OT quotes with Christians, though, since I didn't want to hunt throught the NT for conflicts.

If we take ONLY the life and actions of Jesus as an definition of Christianity, then you're right -- woman is not considered the source of sin. Jesus consorted with hookers and lepers and paupers and homosexuals and all kinds of fringe groups. All in all, a pretty nice, tolerant guy.

For NT writings, you can refer to the above quotes from 1 Timothy and Ecclesiastes. Trust me, I did not have to look hard.

Augustine really invented the doctrine of Original Sin, and it's after the NT period that the whole anti-woman rhetoric starts, even though I don't see any real foundation in the gospels. Although most modern theologians wouldn't interpret the scriptures exactly the same way, the habit and culture persists. Women are more weak and sinful than men. Women must cover their heads when they pray. Women may not be ordained, and so forth.

As with anything religious, just MHO.