A friend brought up an interesting question about what women feel about the Christian “women question”. She was wondering whether or not its a justice issue or just a contentious issue between Christians.
My first thought is part of it is that women are human too. We also have one and only one life to live just like the men.
Why is it that men think they can make us subjugate our whole lives to them. Why should women have to really give up on their lives so that men can live theirs the way they want.
In the patriarchal mindset men get to have dreams AND pursue them. Men get to discuss, plan and make decisions about everything that affects their lives both globally and in a daily setting. Men can be and do anything they have the gumption to work hard or little for.
Why should women have anything less in their life choices.
My second thought is about the idea of contentiousness. In the patriarchal mindset men ARE the church. They run it, they define it, they organize it, they interpret it, and they preach and teach in it. I’ve even heard one of their key men say that women should be silent observers in all church meetings.
But the gathering of the church is a major part of the life of the church. It’s where we demonstrate that we are a body where all the members are to work together as ONE. But the patriarchal mindset divides the church into the men who are the active part of the body and the silent observers and silent laborers. Reminds me of the deaf and dumb mutes who live out of expressive eyes and body gestures. They live with us but theirs is a different world.
If I WERE deaf and mute, I’d fight for the best I could get out of life. I wouldn’t want anyone deciding my life for me or subjugating me to be a dishwasher because THEY thought that is all I could do.
So why should it be considered contentiousness to want to strive for the quality of my life. It is after all the only life I have.
My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, The Lord of glory, with partiality….. James 2:1
Another interpretation…..
1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man, and there should also come in a woman, 3 and you pay attention to the man and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the woman, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
that was me, TL. forgot to sign it. :(
Posted by: TL | December 17, 2005 at 03:43 PM
So, so good. So striking, so obvious when you put it that way, especially the last paragraph.
Posted by: Pat | December 18, 2005 at 12:23 PM
Oh boy...can I EVER relate to what you are saying. I was having a huge discussion about this with a "male" friend of mine today and I was astounded at the oppression in my voice. I have lived my life trying to please the men. Now it's time for me and I deeply resent the christian faith/bible for EVER having started the idea that a woman should put up and shut up. Men beware, no more Miss Nice Guy here.
Welcome to the human race!
Posted by: Blastkist | March 24, 2006 at 04:21 PM