Christian masculinity

Tallguy88

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We have threads saying masculinity can be negative. We have threads promoting the emasculating of men and saying they should wear makeup. Here's a thread on the virtues of masculinity in the Christian tradition.

Reflection: Feast of St. Joseph, A Tribute to Masculinity

NASHVILLE, TN (Catholic Online) - Without a doubt, secular feminism is on a mission to erase masculinity from social consciousness, or at least to feminize men into utter impotence. I speak generally, but no less truly, when I maintain that women, in action contrary to their very nature, have turned on men to devour them in their shortcomings and faults rather than working to nurture the fulfillment of their potential.

Speaking in strictly evolutionary terms, science teaches us that men possess superior strength and the ability to widely spread biological seed in order to carry forth genetic information. Men can, however, use this basic, natural co-creative potential in ways that objectify and dominate women for selfish pursuits.

St. Joseph, however, is God's answer to that proclivity, and His absolute stamp of approval on masculinity. His presence and role in the salvation of the human family rebukes the satanic influences in our society that motivate female contempt for men, because he shows us why it takes a man's man to spread his essence all the way into eternity by pursuing his wife without objectifying or dominating her.

Reflection: Feast of St. Joseph, A Tribute to Masculinity - Living Faith - Home & Family - News - Catholic Online
 

Citizen of the Kingdom

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When the church no longer sees itself as the bride of Christ and instead has individuals or groups attempting to usurp His position in bringing the shadow into the position of the spiritual, that is when the church began to no longer be called the church of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
 
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LovebirdsFlying

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I'd have to know more about the writer's definition of "masculinity." I know at least one guy at church who thinks being manly means beating on your chest like a gorilla, grunting as opposed to speaking words, and for goodness' sake, never show any emotion unless it's anger. I'm exaggerating a little--but not by much.

Some people would say my husband is unmasculine because he likes to cook, and he prefers cats over dogs. And I've heard women being accused of trying to emasculate their husbands simply because they want the men to listen and show empathy instead of brushing the women off.

So what's the definition here?
 
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Tallguy88

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Courage, independence, and assertiveness are masculine traits.

Overemphasized masculinity is called machismo and isn't what this thread is about.
 
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Tull

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Negative masculinity is anything a man does apart from that which is obviously wrong that assorted individuals don't like an example being a strong woman standing up for herself,a strong man who does the same thing is (insert insulting name here)....its as if we want our women to be men and our men to be women.
 
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Yeah I wouldn't say your husband is unmasculine cuz he likes to cook and prefers cats. The cats things, I think is irrelevant, and someone told me knowing how to cook actually makes you more of a man cuz it makes you more independent. I would say he was unmasculine if, for example, there was a situation where he needed to stand up for you and didn't do so out of cowardice.
 
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Tallguy88

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Yeah I wouldn't say your husband is unmasculine cuz he likes to cook and prefers cats. The cats things, I think is irrelevant, and someone told me knowing how to cook actually makes you more of a man cuz it makes you more independent. I would say he was unmasculine if, for example, there was a situation where he needed to stand up for you and didn't do so out of cowardice.
This is a good summary
 
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Negative masculinity is anything a man does apart from that which is obviously wrong that assorted individuals don't like an example being a strong woman standing up for herself,a strong man who does the same thing is (insert insulting name here)....its as if we want our women to be men and our men to be women.


I have no idea what the first part of your sentence means... maybe it's me, maybe there's a grammar thing or something. But I totally agree with the last part of your sentence. Society is suddenly trying to turn women into men and dudes into women. We should totally be against this social engineering nonsense without our reacton taking the form of an extreme (for example, dissing Biggie, his wife and half the rap industry- i.e. I'm saying that Tupac, unfortunately, took the masculinity thing too far which paradoxically makes me question a dude's masculinity... if you that desperate to prove your manhood, it might mean you're hiding something).
 
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Tull

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I have no idea what the first part of your sentence means... maybe it's me, maybe there's a grammar thing or something.

Seems pretty simple to me,apart from things like violence and unwarranted aggression which are obviously wrong negative masculinity is anything a man does that the feminist and leftist don't like....hope that clears it up.
 
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Tull

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there was a situation where he needed to stand up for you and didn't do so out of cowardice.


How well do you think the idea that part of the definition of being feminine was to defend or in ANY way serve a man,would be received......I think not very well.
 
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LovebirdsFlying

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Courage, independence, and assertiveness are masculine traits.

Overemphasized masculinity is called machismo and isn't what this thread is about.

Thank you for the distinction. I'll take a better look at the article (which I skimmed) and make a contribution to the thread, if I can.
 
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Tallguy88

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Thank you for the distinction. I'll take a better look at the article (which I skimmed) and make a contribution to the thread, if I can.
I'm not sure that was in the article. It's just a starting point for discussion. I just meant that the point of the thread is to find the good qualities of masculinity, especially in a Christian context.
 
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How well do you think the idea that part of the definition of being feminine was to defend or in ANY way serve a man,would be received......I think not very well.

Well um... I wouldn't mind getting a back rub and coming home to a dinner. I'm sure many women also like back rubs and things like dinner being made for them. Husband and wife should both serve each other, I think. As far as being prepared to physically defend your spouse, this should be more distinctly masculine, as per tradition and also due to the simple fact that men are physically stronger. When I was in the hood when I was younger, I saw my friend confront this dope fiend who had stole from him. The dope fiend's girlfriend jumped in the middle.... he was scared and she was the "man" in the situation. I thought and still think that was lame.
 
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LovebirdsFlying

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OK. Someone in the thread noted that my husband, in particular, isn't unmasculine because he likes to cook and prefers cats over dogs. He *would* be unmasculine if he were in a situation where he needed to stand up for me, and didn't because he was afraid. Well, I don't see that happening.

The counterpoint, directly following, is that it would probably be offensive to define femininity in terms of defending, serving, or in any way relating to a male. Femininity stands on its own and has nothing to do with men, I think is the statement being made. So why should masculinity be defined in terms of standing up for a female?

And complicate matters with the fact that I would also fight like a rabid tiger on his behalf, if someone attacked him. Is that unfeminine, even masculine of me? Or am I just being his loving wife?
 
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SnowyMacie

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Courage, independence, and assertiveness are masculine traits.

Personally, I don't see how these are inherently masculine traits. When psychologists do their best to remove environment from the equation, which is difficult because of how much we push gender (I don't mean that negatively, what I mean is that when is the last time you saw someone call a little girl strong) in our society, the research has shown that men and women are not as different as we think. Yes, there are some small differences, but it's far from the "men are from mars, women are from venus" pop psychology you hear about.

Men and Women: No Big Difference
Science Confirms The Obvious: Men And Women Aren't That Different
Gender roles: Men and women are not so different after all - News Service - Iowa State University
 
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OK. Someone in the thread noted that my husband, in particular, isn't unmasculine because he likes to cook and prefers cats over dogs. He *would* be unmasculine if he were in a situation where he needed to stand up for me, and didn't because he was afraid. Well, I don't see that happening.

The counterpoint, directly following, is that it would probably be offensive to define femininity in terms of defending, serving, or in any way relating to a male. Femininity stands on its own and has nothing to do with men, I think is the statement being made. So why should masculinity be defined in terms of standing up for a female?

And complicate matters with the fact that I would also fight like a rabid tiger on his behalf, if someone attacked him. Is that unfeminine, even masculine of me? Or am I just being his loving wife?

I just gave the standing up for a woman as an example. It could be standing up for a principle, for your country, standing up for anything really. It could also be standing up for yourself but from a Christian perspective, the ultimate value is not scoring "manliness points"- we have higher values and so there is the option of turning the other cheek. I think the deeper principle as far as manliness is that a man should, ideally, be somewhat of a soldier, warrior, etc. Historically this has been a task of men and the future could still call for it. As for you fighting for your husband, that's a good thing. I wouldn't necessarily say it's distinctly feminine but it still shows virtue- courage, loyalty, etc. When my friend confronted the dope fiend and the fiend's gf jumped in- the dope fiend (a he) ran off while his girlfriend stood and was ready to fight and was actively confronting the aggressor. This shows virtue on her part but.... every dude watching the scene (it was a scene)... well, it kinda killed the man's reputation. It's okay if your wife or girlfriend jumps in but if you run off while she's about to fight... I don't know of a nicer to put it but that's being a coward.
 
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Personally, I don't see how these are inherently masculine traits. When psychologists do their best to remove environment from the equation, which is difficult because of how much we push gender (I don't mean that negatively, what I mean is that when is the last time you saw someone call a little girl strong) in our society, the research has shown that men and women are not as different as we think. Yes, there are some small differences, but it's far from the "men are from mars, women are from venus" pop psychology you hear about.

Men and Women: No Big Difference
Science Confirms The Obvious: Men And Women Aren't That Different
Gender roles: Men and women are not so different after all - News Service - Iowa State University

Says one scientist! I had a doctor (she was a woman) who actually talked to me about how men and women's brains are set up differently and even had some books about it. Scientists... one week they'll say one thing and next week they'll say the exact opposite! But given the larger feminist agenda thing, I would expect certain scientists to report things to back up that agenda (scientists have agendas too). I think that's one of those things where you'll get totally different answers based on which scientist you ask. Anyways, the Bible is very clear about differing gender roles and also mentions things such as God telling Job to gird up his loins like a man.
 
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Citizen of the Kingdom

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The old adage for male and female was he is willing to die for you as long as you'll live for him every day of your life. Ok, only true in the case of Christ and the church, but He continues to serve us daily and that's why we owe our loyalty to Him.

Having read the artical a few things stand out

1) What if Mary had not said yes to the angel's request? This one point alone makes for the example of 'no head but God'

2) Being taught humility is something everyone needs. Because Christ is the head then that falls onto every one of His followers.

3) Imaging God in a relationship with the church by no means makes one a recipient of that power, only a picture of the true power that one must find their place in.

4) Naming, as Adam named the animals, further extends the image of the first Adam, but as the church is in Christ so was the female in the male at that time.

5) Joseph's silence in his love for Mary speaks to me of the two things that the bible has to say about mature love between a husband and wife. That being that biologically the male needs respect and the female needs love to function correctly in this world.

6) Submission like the kind that Joseph showed is the example of every Christian in acquisition of the plans of God.

7) Joseph experienced the riches that come to those who do follow the Lord, while still being in poverty.
 
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How does one "gird up" his loins ?

Well, however, basically... I would to drag out the non-consequential part of this sentence as long as possible to hide the fact that I have no idea what that phrase means. But in some sense, it seems God was saying something like "be a man!" which shows scriptural support for that sort of thing. What exactly gird up your loins means.... I think he meant for Job to have courage... I think the opposite would be for Job to get scared and soil his pants. I think that was the meaning but I'm not totally sure.
 
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