Sr. Correspondent
God on Trial: Sexism
This thread is in response to the claim that God is sexist, if the bible is God's word. This thread is not about whether sexism is right or wrong but whether God is sexist, and if he is sexist, in what way is he sexist and how sexist is he.
Just for fun, before you post, pick the status defendant or prosecutor.
Last edited by Distraff; Aug 11 2011 at 07:26 AM.
"To assert that the earth revolves around the sun is as erroneous
as to claim that Jesus was not born of a virgin."
Cardinal Bellarmine, 1615, during the trial of Galileo
Guru
Prosecutor Wolverine, Missionary of Maynard at your service.
If the books are in fact god's word, then yes, sexism is totally justified. Woman are to submit to their husbands, women are second class citizens with second class rights.
I would certainly enjoy some of the justifications for sexism in the bible.
Me be the godless heathen I am, the conspirator against religion and apple pie, I believe that women are equal to men and should enjoy the same rights.
Last edited by Wolverine; Aug 11 2011 at 07:31 AM.
Just because I find your religion silly does not mean I am an atheist.
Save us both the time and refrain from clicking Reply if you are going to address me as a such.
There is no love in Fear.
I suppose it's how you define "Sexism" or "Sexist" that colors your response.
Sr. Correspondent
1 Peter 3Originally Posted by Felicity
1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.
Is this sexist enough for you?
"To assert that the earth revolves around the sun is as erroneous
as to claim that Jesus was not born of a virgin."
Cardinal Bellarmine, 1615, during the trial of Galileo
The wording is not appealing in the modern sense, but the sentiment--the essence of it is logical as a guide to relationship among husbands and wives. The husband is advised to do likewise in the following verse--less detailed, but the men are not left without admonition. No--I do not believe there is anything "demeaning" in that admonition. That is my litmus for sexism. Different is not demeaning. And I'm not going to judge cultural norms of ancient societies by modern cultural values--that's foolish, IMO.
Banned by Request
Guru
Neither defender nor prosecutor.
It's not a legal trial. Himself is not subject to the law of man, as far as I know. I refuse to accept the authority of your Court.
And...God is not sexist. Man is.
Analyst
Swensson, your honour, outside expert on searching the internet for definitions.
Sexism, also known as gender discrimination or sex discrimination, is the application of the belief or attitude that there are characteristics implicit to one's gender that indirectly affect one's abilities in unrelated areas.
Prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex.
attitudes or behavior based on traditional stereotypes of sexual roles.
Okay, outside expert is a bit lame. Turns out that placing impact in definitions and proper language use shifts you to the prosecutor side.
Do unto others 20% better than you would expect them to do unto you to correct for subjective error.
Sr. Correspondent
No, men are never told to submit. They are told to love their wives.
Sexism
1. attitudes or behavior based on traditional stereotypes of sexual roles.
2. discrimination or devaluation based on a person's sex, as in restricted job opportunities; especially, such discrimination directed against women.
If you don't think sexism is demeaning, that doesn't suddenly make the sexism disappear. If you have no problem with sexism, all right then. But that is not what this debate is about.
"To assert that the earth revolves around the sun is as erroneous
as to claim that Jesus was not born of a virgin."
Cardinal Bellarmine, 1615, during the trial of Galileo
No, not using the word "submit." However, in Ephesians 5, men are told to love their wives as Christ loved the church. Jesus submitted willingly and with docility to torture and death for the church. Hence, Women being told to submit and respect their husbands seems like a cake-walk compared to what men are charged to do.
That's not what I said--I said the exact opposite and that the quote you gave is NOT demeaning.If you don't think sexism is demeaning, that doesn't suddenly make the sexism disappear.
Sr. Correspondent
Sexism does not necessarily have to be demeaning although it often is. The bible tells wives to be submissive to their husbands. What if I told you to be submissive to me because of your gender? How would you feel? This might as well be the very definition of sexism. What if I set up an example for you with a woman named Sarah who called her husband "my lord?" These verses glorify sexism.
It is a little weird for you to say that it is hard for men to love their wives. Plus that is irrelevant. Women are told to submit. That is sexism, whether men are told to love their wives or not.
"To assert that the earth revolves around the sun is as erroneous
as to claim that Jesus was not born of a virgin."
Cardinal Bellarmine, 1615, during the trial of Galileo
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