Does your church make you feel like a second-class citizen?
There was an interesting article in the New York Times about religion and how people have manipulated it to oppress women. I remember my mom wanting to be an usher in my church when I was young and she was told it was a man's job. I jumped at the chance when my current church had openings for ushers -- all were invited to serve -- but come on, that's not real progress. Why aren't women priests in the Catholic Church -- and more important, why are so many "religious" countries so dismissive of women -- and worse -- ABUSIVE! to them?
Do you feel like a second-class citizen at your church? In society? What do we need to do to change this?
Our church doesn't ordain
Our church doesn't ordain women as pastors or elders, but in no way are women treated as second class citizens. Quite the contrary, I feel very respected and there are plenty of ministry and leadership opportunities for women at our church in other capacities: leading Bible studies, teaching Sunday School, working with the Mercy and Justice Ministry, Women's Ministry, Children's Ministry, Worship, Hospitality, lay counseling, Youth Ministry, and so much more. I have no problem with our denomination reserving the pastoral positions for men. There are some who have left our church because they loved everything about our church but struggled to accept that particular position. I feel that majoring on the majors takes precedence over matters that can be controversial but aren't considered foundational to Christian beliefs. But to say that the church treats women in general as second class citizens would be far from reality, I would argue. As far as the countries where church and state are not separate, but actually form a theocracy led by extreme fundamentalists, yes, I would agree that certain religious persuasions relegate women to subservient roles throughout their society, using fear as a motivator. Jesus Christ lifted women up and treated them in ways that astonished the men of his time, even causing outrage. Thus I have no problem following the One who gave such women greater dignity than their society offered them. The Christianity that I know honors women and encourages them to use their gifts to serve the church and their community.
baby steps
I know what you mean Kristen, and while you see progress, it sure seems like baby steps. But our family is Episcopalian, and women are ordained as priests and serve on altar, as ushers, as readers, I think as everything that they're called/want to do. I read during services and my daughters are acolytes, there's something for everyone at our church!
As for why some countries and people are so dismissive to women, because they've found justification for it through their interpretation of the Bible. However, if you look hard enough and interpret widely enough you could justify just about anything. It has historical precedent and wheels turn slowly in thousand-year-old organizations run by men, but they're turning.
Michelle Galvez, Community Editor