Is your religion being used as an excuse for abuse?

Most of the world's religions teach women that they are to "obey" their husbands, and that men are the "head" of the house. Patriarchial societies teach women to be meek and humble, and often squash the potential intellectual and spiritual growth in women so that they will not develop aggressive behavior. Are these beliefs really spiritually based - or has religion been distorted and misused to program women to accept abuse? Have men misused religion to mask hostility toward women and to justify abusive behavior? Do women perpetuate this abuse of women by indoctrinating their sons and daughters with these beliefs? How can we create a more spiritually correct understanding that honors the rights of all human beings? Muslim Chaplain and author Mildred El Amin discusses some of the ways she addresses men and women's relationships and the teachings of Islam.