E/CN.4/2002/73/Add.2 page 44 religion according to which the vote of an unveiled Muslim woman runs counter to Islam (E/CN.4/1000/58, para. 62). 175. As observed by the Special Rapporteur on religious intolerance, the most visible and shocking examples of discrimination in the name of religion must not divert attention from more subtle, less spectacular forms of intolerance and discrimination which are just as effective in their aim of enslaving women, such as refusal to adopt affirmative action on behalf of women, especially in the context of parliamentary elections, or unwillingness to engage in public dialogue on gender equality (E/CN.4/1999/58, para. 111). Yet there is the striking paradox between women’s subordinate status in some countries, particularly in Asia, and the opportunity afforded to women to hold the highest public positions, including the office of prime minister or vice-president. 176. Also, women in many countries are unable to properly exercise their right to vote owing to cultural or religious stereotypes. As noted by CEDAW, many men influence or control the votes of women by persuasion or direct action, including voting on their behalf.246 That may explain a certain lack of interest in politics on the part of women and their low level of participation in political office or in other positions traditionally reserved for men. (b) Clerical and judicial office and public worship 177. In most religions and founding myths, including traditional beliefs of many ethnic groups in Africa, Oceania, Asia and America, religious or priestly functions are a male preserve.247 Generally speaking, a gender-based division of religious labour is thus rigorously followed, with men performing public, solemn and official rites and women simply worshipping privately in enclosed rooms within their homes or at temples. No religion is spared in this regard, including monotheistic religions. (i) Christianity 178. Many Christian religious practices and persuasions agree on barring women’s access to positions of responsibility. For example, the Catholic Church reserves ordination to men.248 Such discrimination, which has its roots in Roman and Mediterranean traditions, is founded on an anthropology where strictly defined functions are assigned to each of the sexes: man is the image of sacramental authority and woman is the image of the Virgin, wife and mother of Christ.249 Exclusion from the priesthood also prevents women from assuming governing authority in the Church, and international or State law respects the internal law of religious communities.250 179. The Protestant Churches are more flexible, although women were only recently admitted to the pastoral ministry, after a long process, owing, inter alia, to the admission of women to the study of theology.251 (ii) Judaism 180. As with other religions and religious traditions, there is in the founding texts of Judaism a fundamental difference between men and women stemming from the different essence of the male and female elements. Still today, girls do not study the same subjects as boys at traditional Jewish schools. In Orthodox Judaism, women are confined to family care and teaching roles.