Re: What qualifies a written work as scripture?
Namaste,
Consistency with shruti is what qualifies it ultimately.
As far as Manu is concerned, I don't recall reading anything therein that places women in a position of "contempt." There are verses there saying that women should not be independent, that is true. But then there are also verses saying that the happiness of a household is dependent on the happiness of the women who dwell there.
Obviously, you cannot expect opinions of sages from centuries ago to be in accord with what is considered "politically correct" according to our post-modern culture and values. Our post-modern values are not themselves eternal truths - they are the result of evolving values and have only been in their current form for the last 2-3 decades. We can take it as a given that what is considered "modern" in regards to gender and class relations will continue to change with changing attitudes.
If it bothers you that the Vedas have a system of classifying people into four different classes and organizing their duties according to said classification, then not much can be done about it. But whether we acknowledge castes or not, they will exist, and people will make up their own classifications either implicitly or explicitly unless they are ordained to do otherwise. The Western world is a perfect example of a society in which caste officially does not exist. In spite of this, socioeconomic classes do exist, are differentiated based on petty things like wealth and political power, and do color our perceptions and interactions within society. Those who are in the highest "classes" are not necessarily those who are virtuous and honorable, unlike the Vedic system in which the people at the "top" may be dirt-poor and yet be rich in austerity and spiritual knowledge. And let's not forget slavery, which existed with official sanction as recently as 130 years ago. And that too in a society which officially declared the equality of all mankind.
Philosoraptor
"Wise men speak because they have something to say. Fools speak because they have to say something." - Plato
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