[3] Another contributing factor to the suppression and abuse of women within the South African border and in the Xhosa culture is Christianity. Much of scripture is controversial and in the wrong hands the most edifying scripture may be manipulated in order to achieve dominating results. Throughout history we have been witnesses of how the clergy and even the ordinary man has beguiled the masses and kept women within their control by purposely misrepresenting scripture. (Hour) (Dr. Lori Heise, 2015)Women have been manipulated into entering marriages; have been forced into submitting to abusive men and at times families. (Julia Baird, 2018) (Cox, 2018) Some of the key practices and belief systems issues which lead to abuse or oppression within Christian marriages are as follows (these will be addressed and discussed in further detail in the chapter to follow)
