Tuesday, September 23, 2008

The hypocracy of the Church(es)

If you belong to a church that doesn't allow women to be pastors, think about this.

From Debra Haffner:

I wrote last year about being in the audience at Renaissance Weekend and hearing Rev. Richard Land, the head of the Southern Baptist Convention, talk about why women can't be ministers. Although there were women ministers on the panel with him, he without any hesitation or even apology, said in no uncertain terms that he would never support women as senior clergy nor did he think rites performed by women could be considered valid. To say I was offended is an understatement.

At least according to an interview in Christianity Today, he has no such hesitation about a woman as Vice President, reporting indeed that he had recommended Sarah Palin as a candidate.

But, let's not think that this means that the Southern Baptists think that women can lead churches. According to a report by Religious News Service, the current issue of Gospel Today is being kept off the shelves at the SBC's Lifeway Christian Bookstores. Why? Because there are five women ministers on the cover. Read more at:

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/female-vp-okay-female-pastors-magazine-not-okay

So, what am I not getting? Apparently Mr. Land has said that the Bible only speaks out against women ministers not women Vice Presidents. But, I'm not sure what verses he could be referring to. Of course, there are those very few verses in Ephesians that say that women must be submissive to their husbands, and by inference, that no man should be submissive to a woman. But, correct me if I am wrong, I don't think there is any verse that says we can't be pastors. And then there are those Genesis and Galatian texts that say that we are all equally created in God's image.

So, a few questions are in order here. If Ms. Palin wins, might the Southern Baptists finally change their minds on women senior ministers? Or do they know if Ms. Palin has her husband's permission to run for office? And what happens if she becomes the Commander in Chief of all of the armed services, and all those military men have to report to her?

Can you really support a woman for the second highest office in the land and yet not want another woman to baptize, marry, or bury you?

I don't get it.
I don't either.

3 comments:

Spyder said...

I can't see how a penis can make ritual more valid, be more compassionate, or more holy. I believe women should be able to be priests/pastors if they have received the call from God. I disagree with the Catholic Church. If all those who feel like I do leave the Church then there is less chance of it changing. I believe that Christ sees us as equals. Maybe one day the Church will. In the meantime I hope & pray, and continue my ministering.

Janet said...

Actually, spyder, as much as I know that the Catholic church doesn't allow women priests, this post was directed more to the fundy baptist and AoG. Those that believe the woman should be submissive in ALL aspects of their life to either their husband or father. The Catholic church is actually pretty liberal in that respect.

I didn't ask for people to leave their church, I asked them to question their church leaders as to why they're so hypocritical.

If they were going to use the argument of women in submission to vote against Hillary, why is it suddenly okay to vote for Palin?

Spyder said...

I'm totally with you. I never thought you were asking people to leave. I'm just saying that even though I'm staying there are things about the Church I don't agree with. And there is no way in Hell I would vote for Palin!!!!