When God Was a Woman

A relatively oldie but a goodie. One of the classics? of this genre. I read this when it first came out in the 70s. I was already a feminist, & still am, but this was a bit of an exploration in another direction from 'equal pay' or 'take back the night' and other pressing contemporary women's concerns. It was also one of the books that spurred my intense interest in cultural anthropology, women's history, and their place in religion (which was already of great interest). You may not like her scholarship--it was, after all something like 40 years ago! We don't fault former scholars and paleontologists (pretty much all male, mind) ad hominum for their multitude of oops! moments and misinterpretations, so to do so for Stone seems almost to single her out for. . .gasp! thinking like a girl! Imagine. And you may not like her premise nor her conclusion about the sort of society mom-goddesses produced. But there is no getting around the fact that women in ancient society were vastly under-studied, unknown, and ignored. This might have been the book that changed that. If nothing else, it fostered an interest in and greater respect for ancient women, and called into question the findings and conclusions drawn by generations and generations of male archaeologists. Not to demonize those guys, but they were products a male-dominated academic system, in which everything from science to literature was dominated by men. A centuries-long +++ bias, of course. And pervasive bias should always be challenged by a bit of out-of-the-box musing. Amusingly, some of Stone's seemingly unusual ideas have borne out in modern studies of what impact women-run organizations have on the tenor of business, and on why the Wild West was wild. . . and what calmed it down. DNA studies and sophisticated technology are fleshing out the picture. But Stone was one of the first to acknowledge it existed.

Highly recommend that everyone read this book!

I did some research on this book before I purchased it as it was suggested to me by a friend. This part of reviewing this book is not based on the information in the book but by the product I received. The book is exactly as described and and the print is easy to read. It is a paperback book with a laminate cover. Now as for the context of the book, I knew what to expect when it came to the writing itself. I enjoyed the research style of the book along with the way the author presents the information. However, take everything with a grain of salt and do your own research as well. But if the idea of what it was like before the patriarch appeals to you this is a good place to start.

Amazing book. I'll try to keep this short: Very mind blowing, the symbolism in the bible (the story of Adam and Eve) being dissected and shown for what it is blew me away. It changed my view of, and relationship with God (as a young "christian" man, using the middle term loosely). I have always wanted a feminine aspect of God, and seeing why it was removed, and how, was quite eye opening. The author pointedly reveals the bias of archeologists, historians, and of course the founding fathers of christianity. I have two small gripes about this book however: 1. Sources - the author briefly mentions the source of the points she pulls together, but there are so many external sources, and the quotes are pretty short on average, it is hard to tell if it is cherry picking, or the intended meaning of the source author. It would take ages to dig through the sources and read it all, so you really have no choice but to trust Merlin Stone for her word. 2. The ultra feminist view point - Please don't stone me for this: I agree 100% with the points being made in the book, the religion of christianity was created as a method of suppressing female rights, and her book illustrates that beautifully, and clearly. However It must be addressed that Merlin Stone (a much smarter person than I am, so take this review with a pile of salt) brings some amount of bias with her on the journey. The only reason this matters to me is this: the book serves as an anti-religion text, rather than the spiritual awakening that I got out of it. And that isn't the authors fault, perhaps I assumed it would have a different message, and that is on me. The message I pulled from this book is: God has always been what humans have wanted (him/her) to be, when child bearing was seen as magic, women were seen as divine, and God was made in HER likeness. And when it was discovered that men played a role, men shut it down with their own religion, and a God made in THIER image. that has led me to decide on who God is to me, whether God be male, female, or aspects of both. This is heresy in the christian (jewish, and muslim) faith, but it is what made sense to me, and has deepened my connection with God. to add to this: it seems to me that men (may have) felt oppressed during the reign of the Goddess, (when there was matrilineal descent, and they couldn't be sure who was their child and who wasn't) and when they corrected it, the pendulum swung too far. this is purely conjecture, but my point with it is that it is finally time for balance. we must all work together to find it. This is ultimately where the last paragraph of this books ends off, with a call for men and women to "eat the forbidden fruit" together. And that is a sentiment I agree with. anyway great book, do yourself a favor and buy it, read it, and share it with a friend. It opens a dialogue that is more than 2000 years late, and it must be had. Thanks.

Merlin stones published this book the year I was born 1976 always has drawn me in.

I can't exactly put my finger on why this book changed me. I've spent the last few years attempting to be a successful corporate executive and entrepreneur and continually felt frustrated that where others (men) seem to be failing up, I couldn't work hard enough to justify my work and elevate my status. Reading this reminded me that the impression that women are oppressed is a social construct. A quote I heard the other day reinforced this: "Men feel it's their duty to keep women humble." I won't spoil the story for you, but I will tell you to keep an open mind. This is not a story book: it is an academic dissertation, written largely without emotional or manipulative expression. It's just 95% facts and historical accuracy. Enjoy!

I purchased this book in English and Italian to make sure everyone in my family has this important reference book. For anyone expecting a narrative, do know that this is history book and will take some time to get through and digest. Absolutely life-changing.

Produkt zgodny z opisem

Not written by a historian nor archeologist, but by an early feminist, lots of incorrect speculation and spurious linguistic ponderings.

...there was Goddess. And, the Goddess was powerful; and, except for all those male sacrifices, the Goddess was Good. And then, some 3,000 years ago, violent patriarchal Aryan tribes descended into the Fertile Crescent, subjugated the Goddess, and stole from her the throne. This is the anthropological story told by Merlin Stone in the book "When God Was A Women." It is a fascinating story of ancient matrilineal cultures, powerful matriarchal civilizations, and how these civilizations were destroyed by violent north Aryan hordes. it is the story of Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, which all grew from the same Aryan roots, and are the religions of the Aryan "master" males. It's is the story of 3,000 years of female subjugation and male domination on thrones in the castle, and in the home. It's a book for everybody that wants a powerful clue that can help them understand what's happening right now on this Earth. But, a bit of a warning. According to the author, some ancient Goddess civilizations practiced male sacrifice. I'd prefer not to dwell on the "why" of that here except to say if it did occur, this may represent the deep and archaic root of 3,000 years of pernicious mythology, misogyny, and a deep-seated terror of women. Imagine powerful North Male Aryan's on horseback making contact with a matriarchal civilization that sacrificed its weak males. Can you imagine what an Aryan on horseback might have thought of a civilization that did something like that? Can you imagine what they might have done, out of horror, anger, and fear? It is not unreasonable to suggest they would have done everything within their might to wipe out and suppress Goddess spirituality, strip women of their power, and subjugate them down to the core. For they would do anything and everything to make sure the female demon would never rise again, as it appears to some she is doing right now. Of course, to be fair, men aren't any better. From Roman Coliseums to Catholic Inquisitions to modern day Capitalism and suppressive states, when men hold exclusive power, they can be just as mean, brutal, and stupid. The point here isn't to point out past crimes, or to elevate one body form over another; the point is to say that exchanging a female tyranny with a male tyranny doesn't work either. The only thing that is going to work, the only thing that will save this planet from the growing ecological, political, and economic chaos, and an ugly repeat of the past, is diversity. Men, women, black, white, purple, yellow, green, and all genders in between, are all going to have to overcome fear and hatred and learn to work together in a healthy and supportive manner; otherwise, as scientists are increasingly saying, this entire planet, or a least a lot the life on it, are doomed.

One of the best books that I've read. Definetely recommended.