Anybody ever heard that one? Of course, I heard it so many times growing up Baptist. Now the phrase kind of makes my scalp itch. This single verse has been used more times than I can count to put down women and refuse to listen to their points of view. I think all the time growing up I knew there was something wrong with this but I didn't feel safe expressing it. After all, this was the orthodox Christian view. Who was I to argue with God? Well, times have changed and now I see this for what it is. It is a cultural view from long ago that is used to maintain male power and dominance in the church. I am not saying that all men consciously feel this way or even really think this way it is there. Of course, this thing, patriarchy, is everywhere. Sounds very liberal and feminist of me, doesn't it? I guess that's where the modern part comes in.
The plethora of books in evangelical circles about women is a sight to behold. When I say sight, I mean unsightly. Oh goody, now's a chance to mention my favorite *cough cough* book, Created to be His Helpmeet. I was only tempted to throw the thing across the room several times. I think I did well. Basic premise of the book: women were created to please men. Too bad if you don't like something that is just the way it is. It encourages women to stay with abusive husbands, with the only solution being more submission on their part. It even states in the book that a woman fails if she has no man to please. This is so wrong in so many ways. A woman's worth is never dependent on a man. Woman deserve to be treated with respect just like men. That means having an equal say in relationships and in the church.
It means that a woman can go into a church and expect to listened to. A women can get up in front of the church without fear of reprisal for stepping out of bounds. A woman doesn't feel she has to be silent in the event of abuse or any type of wrongdoing. Women are taken seriously and never dismissed because something is "merely" a woman's issue.
Women are hearing some pretty terrible things coming out of the pulpit. Books written for women are pressuring women to adopt these dangerous attitudes because it is biblically "correct." Girls are growing up hearing they are not as capable as men. They are taught to lay down their rights. They are taught to accept unfair treatment and even abuse in the name of "biblical womanhood." Well, I have had enough. I am not going to offer religious arguments. I am just advocating for decency. Women are human beings and have the right to be treated as such both inside and outside the church.
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