Can Christians Be Feminists?
Today I heard the words “it is not biblical to be a feminist, therefore a woman should not to be a feminist.”
“… Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression.” – Bell Hooks
The concept of feminism did not exist in biblical times, so I’m not entirely sure where God said “And thou shalt not be a feminist”. I see where the thought behind that statement is coming from, however the problem is that it focuses on the negative aspects; issues that anarcha and radical feminism have brought into play, rather than the positives.
Separate religion from the ideals of feminism, and what it stands for, feminism essentially is seeking to eradicate sexism, the inferiority of women in the society; and giving women the right to be herself without discrimination or bigotry. And I for one do not see anything wrong with this. Religion, in my opinion only comes to play when a woman seeks to be above her husband.
The bible says, a husband is the head of the home and wives should submit to their husbands | Ephesians 5:22 – 23 | and I agree. It doesn’t say women should be treated like lesser humans in society, simply because of her gender. Feminism doesn’t and shouldn’t seek to turn the natural law and order of life/marriage upside down.
To me, feminism means that I define my own role as a woman, rather than being expected to fit in to any particular role simply because I am a woman. I believe that feminism spans all walks of life (mothers, child-free, working, stay-at-home, single, married, etc.) as long as the woman is free to choose the path that she desires. Feminism is about living in a culture where a woman can define her own identity.” – Mandi Woolery.
It seeks to take away justification of the inferiority of women, to give women an opportunity to not be oppressed, to not be sexually assaulted, to give your daughters opportunities to excel in society without a low glass ceiling constantly hanging over their head. Wanting to be “the same as a man” is taking it a step too far.
Men and Women are not equal – Fact! Sorry to be the one to break it to you, but we will NEVER be equals.
For two things to be equal they would need to be one and the same. Men and Women will never be equal, because we are not the same, and we weren’t created for the same purpose. The very progression of the cycle of life depends on these differences; however this doesn’t mean that one is better than the other, it simply means that we should complement one another.
Despite this we shouldn’t ignore the fact that feminism is what propelled the civil rights movement, gave women the right to vote, young girls the freedom to go to school, a woman to become a CEO, if she is so inclined. (Even if the amusing Forbes, article by Gene Marks writes otherwise)
Why should a woman do the exact same job as a man and get paid less? Women have being doing what is deemed as men’s jobs over the ages, yet are under valued, under appreciated and underpaid; from the “unnatural” Mary I, [for her to rule a nation was a monstrous exaggeration of that unnatural condition] to the single mother, to the less respected CEO. (Never mind that the highest earning female CEO still gets paid less than her male counterpart) it’s not objective to tell such a woman that she is incapable because she is not a man.
We excuse men for foolish behaviours and yet raise hell when a woman does the same thing. The hypocrisy of society knows no bounds! Equality or no, we should all be held to the same standards and governed by the same law of responsibility. This for me is what the fight of feminism represents. Not power, not control.
Like Stephanie Bagley, I believe feminism seeks to make women aware of their individual gifts, intellect, strength and identity – a struggle towards the knowledge that being made in God’s image [male and female He made them] gives all of us an equal place and voice at His table.
The problem is that society has become more obsessed with power, political correctness, a hierarchy in leadership than loving one another.
"Leadership is not Lordship. This has nothing to do with power or control but everything to do with love and care. Submission to this kind of leader is a relief, not a burden."
Women are often the backbone of society, whilst men are the hands pushing the change. I just think credit should be given where it is due. Be it to the man or the woman.
So do I consider myself a feminist? To a certain extent, Yes. Although like I always say I don’t quite fit into the normal neat little categorised boxes that have been chosen, like those who seek to overtake or completely defy the traditional and biblical concept of family. This excellent femonite post breaks down how I feel about it.
I am often conflicted about the word “feminist,” though I consider myself one. The problem lies in the the way it’s been interpreted, which is often angry women who don’t shave. Though I can be angry and I don’t always shave, I’m not going to castrate every male I encounter on the street. I just want to be treated the same way they are by our culture. – Dara Joy Jaworowicz
I am a feminist, and I am a Christian, not a Christian feminist. This has nothing to do with my religion.I do not seek to overthrow the vestige of male dominance in society, I simply believe that women shouldn’t be treated like lesser humans because of their biological make-up.
“Our identities, and our understandings of ourselves as gendered people, are not static constructions. They continue to evolve, and feminism is one tool that is seeking to help make this process of evolution unencumbered.”
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
I am not an angry, man hating lesbian, or a masculine, trouser wearing, bra and lipstick hating, unhappy woman. I am not seeking to emasculate men, or effeminate everyone. I simply believe that women should be treated like any other decent human being, with basic human rights. That women should not be belittled, scorned, segregated, demeaned or objectified; simply because of carefully placed lumps of fat on her chest and backside.
The bible says
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
This tells me that in the eyes of God we are all the same and in the end, none of this will probably matter. But I see nothing wrong with a woman (and her God) being in control of her own life, and fighting for her daughters to not be brought up thinking they are worth less than a man, but to be a wholesome woman, who will have a better opportunity at life than she did.
It is sad but true that artificial barriers have always divided humanity—barriers that have no basis in God’s Word. If men and women will walk in his word, there will be no place or need for radical feminism, the harmony that God has ordained between men and women would be self evident.
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Peace, Love and Lipstick x