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Drafted Additions to Gender and Religion Article: Portions of the original article are shown in italics

Hinduism
In the Hindu tradition, the well-known goddesses Kali presents an interesting and meaningful break from typically gender roles in both Western and South Asian gender roles. Kali is typically depicted with a frightful appearance including claw-like hands, sharp fangs, and a necklace of freshly cut heads. Somewhat uniquely for the Hindu Pantheon, Kali is almost usually referred to as an independent deity, not the wife, daughter, or sister of a male deity. She sometimes associates with the Hindu destroyer god Siva. In these instances, she often incites and encourages Siva's rash and destructive actions, rather than playing a passive role. Despite her shocking appearance and history association to unsavory practices, Kali is still revered in the many segments of Hindu society to this day. Tantrists and Bengali Sakta devotionalists revere her as a representation of death, destruction, and the all-consuming aspects of reality.

Another popular goddesses in the Hindu pantheon, Sri or Laksmi, stands in stark contrast to independent and devilish Kali. Instead Sri represents a perfectly obedient wife. Sri mainly serves her husband, Vishnu, as a lord, but she herself is also associated with a sort of queenly royal power. Sri holds more importance to socially conservative sects of Hinduism. Her presence and significant in the Hindu Pantheon shows that Kali presents an exception to Hindu gender politics, not a rule. Overall, the Hindu pantheon presents a heterogeneous view of gender roles. Exact takeaways by follower vary greatly from region to region and person to person.

Christianity
Some liberal Christians refrain from using pronouns when referring to god. In doing so they hope to break down the belief that god must be male.

... The branch of early Christianity that stemmed directly from Judaism, Jewish Christianity, referred to the holy spirit as feminine. They used the Hebrew word ruach which is typically feminine when referencing The Holy Spirit. The apocryphal Gospel of Thomas consistently refers to the Holy Spirit ad female. However, this Gospel is not considered canon by most sects of modern Christianity.

Leadership Roles
Islam has become more gender inclusive across Western Europe. Female Imams are not uncommon in many nations in Western Europe, but the relationship between femininity and Islam remains complicated. Women are rarely allowed to address mixed gendered audiences, something men do each week. Even so, the existence of female Imams in western European Mosques has been cited as reducing Islamophobia in secular western nations. Eastern Christian churches ordained women as Deaconesses in ancient times. The practice still exists is many Christian denominations. For example the many provinces of the Anglican Communion, the United Methodist Church, and the Church of Scotland all ordain men and women as deacons to this day. In the Church of Scotland, the office of permanent deacon was exclusively female until 1988.

Dharmic Religions
''Both masculine and feminine deities feature prominently in Hinduism. The identity of the Vedic writers is not known, but the first hymn of the Rigveda is addressed to the masculine deity Agni, and the pantheon of the Vedas is dominated by masculine gods. The most prominent Avatars of Vishnu are men''. . Most Tirthankara (revered holy people) of Jainism have been men. However the 16th Tirthankara on this half cycle, Māllīnātha, provides a important counterexample. ( see Jain cosmology for an explanation of cycles).

Abrahamic religions
''In Abrahamic religions, Abraham himself, Moses, David and Elijah are among the most significant leaders documented according to the traditions of the Hebrew Bible. John the Baptist, Jesus and his apostles, and Saul of Tarsus again give the New Testament an impression of the founders and key figures of Christianity being male dominated. They were followed by a millennium of theologians known as the Church Fathers. Islam was founded by Muhammad, and his successor Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman ibn Affan and Ali, for Sunnis and Ali ibn Abi Talib and The Twelve Imams for those of Shia faith, were also men. On the other hand, The Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus of Nazareth, is not associated with leadership or teaching, but is nonetheless a key figure in Catholicism.'' Fatimah, daughter of Muhammad, is regarded by Muslims as an exemplar for women due to her compassion and devotion to her husband and father. The two largest sects of Islam, Sunni and Shia, hold different beliefs about Fatimah. Shia Islam reveres Fatimah as the "Mother of Imams". Shia Muslims claim that Fatimah was Muhammad's only daughter. Sunnis believe otherwise

Modern Religions and Sects
''The Baháʼí Faith, a fast growing religion, teaches that men and women are equal. Prominent women celebrated in Baháʼí history include Bahíyyih Khánum, who acted head of the faith for several periods during the ministries of `Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi, and Táhirih, who is also held by Baháʼís as a penultimate leader. Women serve in higher percentages of leadership in appointed and elected national and international institutions of the religion than in the general population. However, only men are allowed to be members of the religion's highest governing body, the Universal House of Justice''. Baháʼí holy text give no clear reason for this exception to their principle of gender equality. They only state that the reason will become clear in time.

In the late 19th century, a woman named Nakayama Miki founded Tenrikyo in Japan. Tenrikyo gained official recognition in 1908. Since then it has gained over 2 million followers making it one of the largest female founded religions in the world . The Seventh-day Adventist Church officially considers Ellen G. White a prophet for her role in founding that sect. In particular, White's biblical commentaries and other writings are often considered inspired or even infallible.[ Some authors even consider her the most influential Seventh-Day Adventist in the history of the church undefinedundefined

Mary Baker Eddy was the founder of the Christian Science movement.[ better source needed].

= Segregation =

Judaism
''In traditional Jewish synagogues, the women's section is separated from the men's section by a wall or curtain called a mechitza. Men are not permitted to pray in the presence of women, to prevent distraction. The mechitza shown in the picture on the right is one in a synagogue affiliated with the 'left wing' (more modern side) of Modern Orthodox Judaism, which requires the mechitza to be of the height shown in the picture. More traditional or 'right wing' Modern Orthodox Judaism, and all forms of Haredi Judaism, requires the mechitza to be of a type which absolutely prevents the men from seeing the women.''

Islam
Sex segregation in Islam ''includes guidelines on interaction between men and women. Men and women also worship in different areas in most mosques. Both men and women cover their awra when in the presence of members of the opposite sex (who are not close relations).'' This level of segregation still occurs in the more progressive sectors of Islam where women can serve as imams. Female imams do not typically hold the same powers and privilages as their male counterparts. Even in progressive cases, mosques typically require women to use different entrances and spaces.