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“Comparative historical studies have shown that women generally hold higher positions in archaic, tribal, and non-institutionalized religions than in highly differentiated religious traditions, which have evolved complex structures and hierarchical organizations over a long period of time. Women magicians, shamans, healers, visionaries, prophetesses, and priestesses are found in primal and ancient religions, and in tribal and folk religions today. Detailed historical and comparative studies have also shown that, during the formative period of a religion, women often play a leading role or are closely associated with the work of a religious founder, whereas in subsequent developments they are relegated to the background and lose much of their independent agency. (See for example the women in early Buddhism, in the Jesus movement and early Christianity, or those associated with Muhammad’s work, or with nineteenth-century Christian missionary movements.)”

— Ursula King, Religion and Gender