Elizabeth Cady Stanton Speeches & Writings File Article: "The Woman's Bible" [n.d.] The Woman's Bible _______________________ Part I of the Woman's Bible comprizing the first five books called the Penteteuch is for sale by "The European Publishing Company 35 Wall St It is in pamphelet form one hundred & fifty pages on good paper & large clear print. The object of this work is simply to [*246*] 2 comment on what is said of woman. As she is mentioned only in about one tenth of the scriptures the work can be easily accomplished. [We do not propose a] A new translation is not proposed, the writers accept the Revised edition of 1888, neither do they propose any scholarly criticism as to historical data The significance of symbols & allegories they propose simply to comment on what is said of women in plain [*247] 3 English. That the uncultivated classes of women can read & understand. If this class can see & believe that the idea of woman as the author of sin, cursed in her maternity, degraded in marriage, a mere afterthought in creation, eminated from the brain of man, and was not inspired by the Great Good Spirit of the Universe it would give them new joy in life & new self respect, and new hope in the future happiness [*248*] 4 The authors of "The Womans Bible hope to emancipate the cultivated classes from many of their superstitions as to the "Creators intentions" as to their sphere of action. The Penteteuch in letter & spirit degrades woman, in fact, all female life animal as well as human, Every page reflects the insidious distinctions of sex. Only male animals were fit as burnt offerings to the Lord, & men only fit to eat the consecrated bread & meat & witness [*249*] Mans ascent on Mount Sinai. 5 It is pitiful to see women make a fetish of a book that degrades the whole sex in its teaching, & to believe that God inspired such teaching is imply blasphemous. Any of our Army officers would be ashamed to give such directions to their soldiers in war as the Lord was supposed to give Moses. Some critics say The Woman's Bible "lacks literary merit." So does the Penteteuch, but the former teaches sound principles, but the latter immorality, lust, [*250*] 6 monstrous cruelty & crime. Some critics object to the name "The Women's Bible", but inasmuch as its authors are women commenting on what is said of women, the title is peculiarly fitting, especially as the whole Christian System hangs on the position of woman. She communed with the spirit of evil, precipitated the fall, & thus made a devil, a [?], & endless punishment, necessities, [*246 A statement by Mrs. Stanton on the object of the Woman's Bible] 7 To lift her out of this slough of despond & secure her emancipation completely uproots the whole Christian System For if woman maintained her integrity, there is no need of a devil, a hell, a frowning Judge nor a Savior. The whole system turns on her supposed positon [*252*] Transcribed and reviewed by volunteers participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.