It would be interesting to see where the World stood on equal rights if Christianity never existed. I wonder if Islam would have taken over what are now (or were) essentially 'Christian' nations (ie - the dominating faith\religion)?

Christianity had and still has major cultural hurdles when it comes to issues like this. Just like slavery, many chose to disregard or even mis-use the biblical teachings to continue or promote their social\cultural status and practices. But like all lies and deception, the word of God stood firm and eventually over came. But as you have probably guessed, culture\society and Biblical teaching are continuously finding ways to battle eachother. Even at the individual level, living according to the word of God is not easy and we all rebel in our own ways....

My point? Christian people and Christian people's traditions and cultures are to blame for many of the above examples of oppression. But Christianity itself is the great equalizor of all time. "The ground at the foot of the cross is level..."

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/109/52.0.html

Christian History Corner: Is Christianity Oppressive to Women?

“Has Christianity been oppressive to women? Yes. Is Christ? No. As the apostle Paul insisted, "In Christ's family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in common relationship with Jesus Christ" (Gal. 3:28).”


http://www.gospelcom.net/chi/DAILYF/2002/07/daily-07-19-2002.shtml

July 19, 1848 • First Women's Right's Convention

“Christ Jesus treated women with respect. Not surprisingly, Christianity has elevated women more than any other world religion. And so it was that Christian women in a Christian church acting on a largely Christian agenda initiated the women's rights movement on this day, July 19, 1848.”