There's a verse in the bible (Ephesians 5:22) that is sometimes used erroneously I believe.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.
This has been used in the past to proclaim the right of men to dominate women as God-given; it's also been used by women who ask why they should follow a misogynist God.
The letter was written by Paul the apostle. Now Paul's not my favourite person and he is often accused of being a woman-hater, but, in this instance, I think the fault lies with our soundbite-style reading of his words.
A few verses further down he writes, 'Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church ...'
Just as Christ loved the church. The church he died for? That's asking quite a lot from our men!
Jesus always - always - favoured the underdog: the weak, the poor, the shunned, the sick, the unlovely. And women. In particular in the bible mention is made of an adulterous woman and a prostitute. He treated them with compassion and respect. He never treated women with anything less. The powerful, the leaders, the men in charge he had little time for. Does this sound like a God who wants to keep women in their place? Is this a God who condones injustice?
5 comments:
Ah but we would die for you if it were necessary, Liz.
But there ARE men in some churches who just love to quote out of context in order to keep themselves at the "head." Jesus would probably have been part of the women's liberation movement had he been alive today. And God just might be looking down at some of our men and just shaking his head.
Hmmm... the way my mom interprets this verse is that she's learnt not to keep arguing when quarelling with my dad. Just to submit and support whatever his decision is *which may be why it's so important to choose a God-fearing man, so he makes the right decisions*. She says it was really hard at first, but it DOES make for more peace now... less quarrels ;-)
that's a v good point actually!
(esp. from a Satanist!)... OK I will shut up now
ps I agree with Leslie: God is probably shaking his head at MOST of us ;->...
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