What are our military personnel who are in place in Haiti doing to help these women?? Seriously – what are they doing?  Surely, there must be SOMETHING they can do, right??

So much of what has been used against women in the Judeo-Christian traditions has been the result of mis-translations, and not taking into account the culture, history, and sociology of the times in which the books were written or translated. 

For instance, since the Christian Scriptures often use the term “man,”  many religious traditions said that it was specific, so women could not be in leadership positions, etc., etc.  Instead, it was a istranslation of Greek terms that were NEUTRAL. 

It was the sexism/misogyny of the time the translations were done, ike with the “Deaconess” Phoebe – the word used for her was the SAME word as used to describe male ministers, but the meaning was lessened for her (Romans 16).

I could go on, but I’ll spare you.  My point is, right there with ya!

I agree with you.  However, the environment that gives rise to male abuse of women comes from the church’s teachings that women are inferior.  Therein likes the core problem that somehow translates to men that they are entitled to whatever they want to women without being held accountable.

Hillary’s speech at this year’s International Women’s Conference stated as much.  Until women are viewed in society as equal to men, real progress cannot be made that increase and maintain the quality of our lives.

My point was simple.  In the time of Jesus, he broke religious tradition by teaching women and having them minister for him, just like the disiples.

I’m a catholic woman, duh!  you are obviously caught up in the dogma that has for 2000 years given men high positions in the church, while women either cleaned up the rectory and served the priests, or they quietly went about missionary work. 

Jesus did not view women the same way as the Catholic hierachy does and I was critical of their refusal to follow his example. 

Catholic women don’t get hung up on the prohibition from Holy Orders partly because of the dynamic contributions that women have made to our tradition, and the role models they represent to Catholic men and women alike.

The desire to attain the same status as men within the church can be construed as a materialistic and ego-driven ambition, which is contrary to two values that Christ espoused – those of obedience and humility. And of course, materialism and ego are not the province of divinity but of another source entirely.

It’s clear that you have a problem with the Catholic Church, and that’s fine, trust me you’re not alone. My point in bringing any of this to light is that a religious institution whose female members have made significant contributions in the public sphere cannot be dismissed as a patriarchal entity that keeps women in its place.

There are Christian denominations that welcome women as ordained ministers, individuals who are fixated on this one issue would most likely feel more comfortable being members of those faith communities.

Look up the stats.  Clinton spoke about this at the U.N. this month.  In addition to the deaths we know about, according to those who study these sorts of things, there are an estimated 1MM women and girls who are unaccounted in the world based on normative gender stats.  Clinton mentioned the cover of a magazine in which the banner story was “gendercide.”