--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Islam, Christianity and Judaism all…" description: "\"Islam, Christianity and Judaism all define themselves through disgust of women's bodies.\" — Polly Toynbee" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf1/polly-toynbee-21635_body_islam-christianity-and-judaism-all-defin_765438.jpg" --- # Islam, Christianity and Judaism all define themselves… ![“Islam, Christianity and Judaism all define themselves through disgust of women's bodies.” quote by Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf1/polly-toynbee-21635_body_islam-christianity-and-judaism-all-defin_765438.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf1/polly-toynbee-21635_body_islam-christianity-and-judaism-all-defin_765438.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf1/polly-toynbee-21635_body_islam-christianity-and-judaism-all-defin_765438.jpg) > “Islam, Christianity and Judaism all define themselves through disgust of women's bodies.” [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Observes that major Abrahamic religions share a common negative view of women's bodies, shaping identity through that disdain. **In simple terms:** Religions define themselves via negative attitudes toward women. Key Takeaway Recognize and challenge misogynistic narratives. Themes religion gender misogyny Mood critical reflective Type analytical controversial When to use this quote - academic debate - activism - education - interfaith dialogue Key Concepts patriarchal structures theology Questions to Reflect On - What historical texts support this claim? - How can faith communities shift these perspectives? A Different Perspective Overgeneralizes diverse beliefs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Disgust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disgust/) [Islam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/islam/) [Islamophobia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/islamophobia/) [Judaism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judaism/) [Women 's bodies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women-s-bodies/) ## Related quotes > [The pens sharpen – Islamophobia! No such thing. Primitive Middle Eastern religions (and most others) are much the same – Islam, Christianity and Judaism…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/the-pens-sharpen-islamophobia-no-such-thing-primitive-middle-eastern/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [I've had my body manipulated so many different times for so many different reasons, whether it's paparazzi photographers or for film posters. \[The topless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keira-knightley/i-ve-had-my-body-manipulated-so-many-different-times-for-so-many/) [Keira Knightley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keira-knightley/) > [Violence against women is clearly not solved, not at all solved, and the reasons for it, which are controlling women's bodies in order to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/violence-against-women-is-clearly-not-solved-not-at-all-solved-and/) [Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/) > [Women's bodies are used to sell anything and everything because it works, it grabs people's attention, and advertisers aren't going to stop using something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-phair/women-s-bodies-are-used-to-sell-anything-and-everything-because-it/) [Liz Phair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-phair/) > [Every human body has its optimum weight and contour, which only health and efficiency can establish. Whenever we treat women's bodies as aesthetic objects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germaine-greer/every-human-body-has-its-optimum-weight-and-contour-which-only-health/) [Germaine Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germaine-greer/) > [I think women's bodies are a battleground and photography is partly to blame. Our society is so photographic now, it becomes more difficult to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keira-knightley/i-think-women-s-bodies-are-a-battleground-and-photography-is-partly/) [Keira Knightley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keira-knightley/) > [Don't have children: they deform women's bodies and turn into an enemy 20 years later.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-sade/don-t-have-children-they-deform-women-s-bodies-and-turn-into-an-enemy/) [Marquis de Sade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-sade/) > [The real motivation of the campaign to criminalize abortion is to establish the principles that women's bodies belong to the state and that women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-french/the-real-motivation-of-the-campaign-to-criminalize-abortion-is-to/) [Marilyn French](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-french/) > [Women's bodies are curvy, sensual, it's about being happy to be a woman - and sexy is always good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donatella-versace/women-s-bodies-are-curvy-sensual-it-s-about-being-happy-to-be-a-woman/) [Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) > [American companies spend more than $200 billion each year hacking women's bodies into bits and pieces, urging comparisons between self and other, linking value…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/american-companies-spend-more-than-200-billion-each-year-hacking/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [The Conversation about women’s bodies exists largely outside of us, while it is also directed at (and marketed to) us, and used to define…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-judd/the-conversation-about-women-s-bodies-exists-largely-outside-of-us/) [Ashley Judd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-judd/) > [It's like suddenly in the Middle Ages, people figured men should be in charge of women's bodies since they were in charge of pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/inga-muscio/it-s-like-suddenly-in-the-middle-ages-people-figured-men-should-be-in/) [Inga Muscio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/inga-muscio/) > [Not everyone is there to get an abortion. Your body is like a car that has needs and women's bodies constantly need a level…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-kirkman/not-everyone-is-there-to-get-an-abortion-your-body-is-like-a-car-that/) [Jen Kirkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-kirkman/) > [I don't have a problem with being a woman. Women's bodies are so beautiful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malin-akerman/i-don-t-have-a-problem-with-being-a-woman-women-s-bodies-are-so/) [Malin Akerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malin-akerman/) > [Just as women's bodies are softer than men's, so their understanding is sharper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-de-pizan/just-as-women-s-bodies-are-softer-than-men-s-so-their-understanding/) [Christine de Pizan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-de-pizan/) ## More by Polly Toynbee > [Most people come to fear not death itself, but the many terrible ways of dying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/most-people-come-to-fear-not-death-itself-but-the-many-terrible-ways/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [Could a government dare to set out with happiness as its goal? Now that there are accepted scientific proofs, it would be easy to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/could-a-government-dare-to-set-out-with-happiness-as-its-goal-now/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [Openness about death has led to greater care about all aspects of dying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/openness-about-death-has-led-to-greater-care-about-all-aspects-of/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [Working lives are for the state to influence. Unemployment makes people unhappy. So does instability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/working-lives-are-for-the-state-to-influence-unemployment-makes/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [Inequality makes everyone unhappy, the poor most of all, and that is well within the remit of the state. More money gives less extra…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/inequality-makes-everyone-unhappy-the-poor-most-of-all-and-that-is/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [“The strain of engaging emotionally with all that misery was exhausting. The kindness and hard work of the care assistants here was worth far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/the-strain-of-engaging-emotionally-with-all-that-misery-was/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [Nothing keeps people together like the exalted conviction that they alone are to be spared that eternal anguish of hell fire to which everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/nothing-keeps-people-together-like-the-exalted-conviction-that-they/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [The best care on earth cannot prevent us all dying in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/the-best-care-on-earth-cannot-prevent-us-all-dying-in-the-end/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [One in six people suffer depression or a chronic anxiety disorder. These are not the worried well but those in severe mental pain with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/one-in-six-people-suffer-depression-or-a-chronic-anxiety-disorder/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [But instead of standing up for reason, our government is handing education over to the world of faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/but-instead-of-standing-up-for-reason-our-government-is-handing/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [The strongest predictor of unhappiness is anyone who has had a mental illness in the last 10 years. It is an even stronger predictor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/the-strongest-predictor-of-unhappiness-is-anyone-who-has-had-a-mental/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [People want the right to die at a time of their own choosing. Too many families have watched helplessly as a relative dies slowly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/people-want-the-right-to-die-at-a-time-of-their-own-choosing-too-many/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [This is indeed a clash of civilisations, not between Islam and Christendom but between reason and superstition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/this-is-indeed-a-clash-of-civilisations-not-between-islam-and/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [Feminism is the most revolutionary idea there has ever been. Equality for women demands a change in the human psyche, more profound than anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/feminism-is-the-most-revolutionary-idea-there-has-ever-been-equality/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [So what really works? Treatments in jail do some good, but it's mostly too late: finding a family and a job or just growing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/so-what-really-works-treatments-in-jail-do-some-good-but-it-s-mostly/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) [Explore all 29 Polly Toynbee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) ## More Body quotes > [Most of us are convinced that we are our egos, which is who we think we are. The ego is part of our incarnation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/most-of-us-are-convinced-that-we-are-our-egos-which-is-who-we-think/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [The very purpose for being in this body, for every one of us, is to live and rejoice in that virgin area, that untouched,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/the-very-purpose-for-being-in-this-body-for-every-one-of-us-is-to/) [Sri Sri Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/) > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-replicate-what-the-body-s-going/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [If the media is sending girls the message that their value lies in their bodies, this can only leave them feeling disempowered and distract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-siebel-newsom/if-the-media-is-sending-girls-the-message-that-their-value-lies-in/) Jennifer Siebel Newsom > [Boys and boys' body image and clothes have become just as important an issue for boys as for girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalind-wiseman/boys-and-boys-body-image-and-clothes-have-become-just-as-important-an/) [Rosalind Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalind-wiseman/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Racism is a cancer. 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