Changes

84:4.6 [[Birth|Childbearing]] was once generally looked upon as rendering a [[woman]] [[dangerous]] and unclean. And many [[tribal]] [[mores]] [[decreed]] that a [[mother]] must undergo extensive purification [[ceremonies]] subsequent to the [[birth]] of a child. Except among those groups where the [[husband]] [[participated]] in the lying-in, the expectant mother was shunned, left alone. The [[ancients]] even avoided having a [[child]] born in the house. Finally, the old women were permitted to attend the [[mother]] during [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childbirth labor], and this [[practice]] gave [[origin]] to the [[profession]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midwifery midwifery]. During labor, scores of foolish things were said and done in an [[effort]] to [[facilitate]] delivery. It was the [[custom]] to sprinkle the newborn with [[holy]] [[water]] to prevent [[ghost]] [[interference]].

84:4.6 [[Birth|Childbearing]] was once generally looked upon as rendering a [[woman]] [[dangerous]] and unclean. And many [[tribal]] [[mores]] [[decreed]] that a [[mother]] must undergo extensive purification [[ceremonies]] subsequent to the [[birth]] of a child. Except among those groups where the [[husband]] [[participated]] in the lying-in, the expectant mother was shunned, left alone. The [[ancients]] even avoided having a [[child]] born in the house. Finally, the old women were permitted to attend the [[mother]] during [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childbirth labor], and this [[practice]] gave [[origin]] to the [[profession]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midwifery midwifery]. During labor, scores of foolish things were said and done in an [[effort]] to [[facilitate]] delivery. It was the [[custom]] to sprinkle the newborn with [[holy]] [[water]] to prevent [[ghost]] [[interference]].

84:4.7 Among the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_64#64:6._THE_SIX_SANGIK_RACES_OF_URANTIA unmixed tribes], [[Birth|childbirth]] was comparatively easy, occupying only two or three hours; it is seldom so easy among the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:4._THE_ANDITES mixed races]. If a [[woman]] died in childbirth, especially during the delivery of twins, she was believed to have been [[guilty]] of [[spirit]] [[adultery]]. Later on, the higher [[tribes]] looked upon [[death]] in childbirth as the will of [[heaven]]; such mothers were regarded as having perished in a [[noble]] [[cause]].

84:4.7 Among the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_64#64:6._THE_SIX_SANGIK_RACES_OF_URANTIA unmixed tribes], [[Birth|childbirth]] was comparatively easy, occupying only two or three hours; it is seldom so easy among the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:4._THE_ANDITES mixed races]. If a [[woman]] died in childbirth, especially during the delivery of twins, she was believed to have been [[guilty]] of [[spirit]] [[adultery]]. Later on, the higher [[tribes]] looked upon [[death]] in childbirth as the will of [[heaven]]; such mothers were regarded as having perished in a [[noble]] [[cause]].

84:4.8 The so-called [[modesty]] of [[women]] respecting their clothing and the [[exposure]] of the [[Body|person]] grew out of the deadly [[fear]] of being [[observed]] at the time of a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstruation menstrual period]. To be thus detected was a grievous [[sin]], the violation of a [[taboo]]. Under the [[mores]] of olden times, every woman, from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolescence adolescence] to the end of the childbearing period, was subjected to complete [[family]] and [[social]] [[quarantine]] one full week each month. Everything she might [[touch]], sit upon, or lie upon was "defiled."[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Leviticus#Chapter_.15] It was for long the [[custom]] to brutally beat a girl after each [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstruation monthly period] in an [[effort]] to drive the [[evil]] [[spirit]] out of her [[body]]. But when a woman passed beyond the childbearing age, she was usually treated more considerately, being accorded more [[rights]] and [[privileges]]. In view of all this it was not strange that women were looked down upon. Even the [[Greeks]] held the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstruation menstruating] woman as one of the three great [[causes]] of defilement, the other two being pork and garlic.

84:4.8 The so-called [[modesty]] of [[women]] respecting their clothing and the [[exposure]] of the [[Body|person]] grew out of the deadly [[fear]] of being [[observed]] at the time of a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstruation menstrual period]. To be thus detected was a grievous [[sin]], the violation of a [[taboo]]. Under the [[mores]] of olden times, every woman, from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolescence adolescence] to the end of the childbearing period, was subjected to complete [[family]] and [[social]] [[quarantine]] one full week each month. Everything she might [[touch]], sit upon, or lie upon was "defiled."[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Leviticus#Chapter_.15] It was for long the [[custom]] to brutally beat a girl after each [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstruation monthly period] in an [[effort]] to drive the [[evil]] [[spirit]] out of her [[body]]. But when a woman passed beyond the childbearing age, she was usually treated more considerately, being accorded more [[rights]] and [[privileges]]. In view of all this it was not strange that women were looked down upon. Even the [[Greeks]] held the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstruation menstruating] woman as one of the three great [[causes]] of defilement, the other two being pork and garlic.

84:4.9 However foolish these olden notions were, they did some good since they gave overworked [[females]], at least when young, one week each month for welcome [[rest]] and profitable [[meditation]]. Thus could they sharpen their wits for dealing with their [[male]] associates the rest of the time. This [[quarantine]] of women also protected men from over-[[sex]] indulgence, thereby indirectly contributing to the restriction of [[population]] and to the enhancement of [[self]]-[[control]].

84:4.9 However foolish these olden notions were, they did some good since they gave overworked [[females]], at least when young, one week each month for welcome [[rest]] and profitable [[meditation]]. Thus could they sharpen their wits for dealing with their [[male]] associates the rest of the time. This [[quarantine]] of women also protected men from over-[[sex]] indulgence, thereby indirectly contributing to the restriction of [[population]] and to the enhancement of [[self]]-[[control]].

84:4.11 But [[primitive]] [[women]] did not pity themselves as their more recently [[liberated]] sisters are wont to do. They were, after all, fairly [[happy]] and contented; they did not dare to [[envision]] a better or [[different]] mode of [[existence]].

84:4.11 But [[primitive]] [[women]] did not pity themselves as their more recently [[liberated]] sisters are wont to do. They were, after all, fairly [[happy]] and contented; they did not dare to [[envision]] a better or [[different]] mode of [[existence]].

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_84 Go to Paper 84]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_84 Go to Paper 84]</center>

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>

[[Category:Paper 84 - Marriage and Family Life]]

[[Category:Paper 84 - Marriage and Family Life]]