Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: crf@tomato.princeton.edu (Charles Ferenbaugh) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Sexism in the church?? (was: Re: Gay Ordination) Message-ID: Date: 4 Apr 91 05:59:54 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Princeton University Mathematics Department Lines: 48 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article awmurray@eos.ncsu.edu writes: > I didn't see any sex discrimination in the Church. There is, >however, inherent sex discrimination in the Bible. I think your >friend is right about this. Those quotes I used are to spell it out: >"Women suck". This, of course, from all-wise God....NOT FROM ME!!! Hmmm? When I look at the life of Jesus I see an amazing willingness to give women an importance they didn't otherwise have in 1st century society. For example, Jesus had a deep conversation (no pun intended) with the Samaritan woman at the well; he had women as followers who didn't desert him at crucifixion time as most of his male followers did; and He chose to make His first post-resurrection appearance to a woman (Mary Magdalene). > I also commented on the fact that Christians (as well as people in >general) seem to have evolved beyond Christ's teachings in this area >(of life) as well as others. ... > .... Make your own rules like I do. Christians do it >anyway...and then call themselves Christians. Go figure. I think >Christianity is an out-moded philosophy that is INTENTIONALLY designed >so that NO human can follow it correctly. 'Tis sad, but true, that many people call themselves Christians without following Christ's teachings. I agree, they should probably find something else to call themselves if they want to be honest. I also agree that no human can follow those teachings correctly. But judging from what I saw above, we probably have different understandings of what those teachings are. I would suggest that the problem occurs, not because the teachings are outmoded, but because we humans are rebellious and deep down we don't really _want_ to do as we should. Loving your neighbor sounds wonderful on paper... but just try it on a real human neighbor and it gets very unpleasant all of a sudden. >In short, there is no God. Even Christians are evolving beyond >Christ's teachings...because his teachings contradict human nature. Of course this is a non-Christian viewpoint; the following would be the Christian counterpart: Even Christians are drawing back from Christ's teachings... because his teachings contradict human nature. The teachings are good; it's human nature that needs fixing. >--alan >"Ye are of your father the devil and the lusts of your father ye will do." > st.john 8:44 Grace and peace, Charles Ferenbaugh