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Bullocks indeed!
In fact women are inferior to men in some ways - and men are inferior to women in others. I prefer to take the view that men and women are made physically and emotionally different because they have different roles to play in the continuation of the species. After seeing a female Italian tennis player in action the other evening I rejoice in the survival of those ancient functions that don't require women to have strong calves and biceps and a masculine gait.
I still have to reverse the truck into a parking space for my wife, though!
Regarding your two questions, I think that it's remarkable how many ancient civilisations who seem to have had no knowledge of one another held such similar religious beliefs. They were aware of the importance of the sun, water, fire and earth to their survival. They had an amazing grasp of astronomy, the seasons and the influence of the universe on their lives. Perhaps understandably, they worshipped those vital things or personifications of them and created simple explanations so that it could all be understood by illiterate and uneducated people. Imagine how intelligent must have been the people who discovered all of that early knowledge.
Present day religions are similar to those ancient ones in many ways and to each other. They seem to be much simpler in concept, though. Out goes the mulititude of gods and in comes one that is all powerful, other than for a fallen subordinate who just won't go away. The holy trinity was never clear to me though, much as I tried to understand the vicar's explanations. Often in the ancient religions womankind was revered as the greater of the two sexes and that still survives in certain cultures, if not religions, today. I wonder why women were downgraded to secondary human beings. Modern religions still have their human sacrifices - martyrs, suicide bombers, people who give up their individuality to accept what others tell them, military people who go off with the words 'god on our side' ringing in their ears for example.
I'm always willing to listen in the hope of learning. However, ancient books that have been translated by people with their own agendas and perceptions are not enough. Similarly any preacher or evangelist is as riddled with human failings as myself. I know myself better than I know them so I keep on believing myself unless their words ring the Truth bell in my subconscious. I find that the bell tolls more often when I quietly listen to myself and no-one can deny me either the right or the opportunity to do that in peace.