Feminist Movement

[snoopy2]

I'm not sure if this is really the right forum for this thread, but I'm putting it here because there is so much debate regarding the roles of men and women here.

Anyway, to get to the point - do you believe that the feminist movement is something that is approved by God?

I'm really interested in your opinions on this in the light of scripture.

Snoopy

 

[DaveKerwin]

that depends on what you define as the feminist movement.

Should women have equal rights in the law? Absolutely. Are women the same as men? Absolutely not. Of course many of you want to kill me after saying that, but I am not saying that men are any better. I promote that men and women are equally valuable, they simply were made for different purposes. The feminist movement itself leaves a very bad taste in my mouth, kinda like chocolate covered raisins from the dollar store, both are not that great.

 

[kdet]

The feminist movement at it's concepetion had some wonderful goals for women. The problem arose when their focus went from acquiring those equal rights to emascualting men

 

[charligirl]

I tend to be very wary if anything with 'ist' on the end... including extremist, which many other 'ists' also are! lol

I believe that men and women are the same in the eyes of God and in the past
women were not treated as they should be. Of course women should vote, be able to buy a house or whatever else. I believe in equality for jobs and pay, providing the woman can do the job as well as a man. There are some jobs that should only be given to the physically strong for example, a woman who cannot pull her weight in a physical role should not be given the role... but that is more about the right person for the job, regardless of gender.

I think it also depends on the heart and the spirit behind the person who is fighting for the cause, and that goes for any cause, feminism or otherwise. In many cases you find that there is a hidden agenda, or a hurting person who has got so caught up in their cause it has become their whole identity.

Yes there needed to be a swing back towards the centre from the 'men only' bias but I think that some people were not satisfied with that, they didn't just want equality, they wanted to damage men, pay them back perhaps, and the swing got out of control and is now weighted the other way... which is just as wrong.

 

[Blessed75]

hmmmm, i can't stand labels. i've been called a feminist. I don't think I am. I'm strong-willed, outspoken and a no-nonsense type of person. I think that I should get equal pay as a man etc. etc. See, to me this is such a broad field. I think that God approves of women standing up for themselves and not being pushed around like in the past with not being able to vote etc. I think God approves of the fact that women have come a LONG way but I also believe that in God's eyes, we're all equal. I just don't think He sees it (the differences) like we do. Of course, that could have something to do with the fact that we're human? Anyway, just my opinion.....

 

[E-beth]

I think feminism is great as long as it doesn't go against the way God created us. For example, God created women with opinions and decision-making abilities, but He also wishes us to submit.

God made us physically weaker and emotionally stronger for a reason. He created the sexes to complement each other. If any movement tries to push men or women out of God's plan, then that movement is dangerous.

I think it is funny how Gloria Steinam, who used to say "A woman needs a husband like a fish needs a bicycle" is now married and not so vocal.

 

[DaveKerwin]

hmmmm, i can't stand labels. i've been called a feminist. I don't think I am. I'm strong-willed, outspoken and a no-nonsense type of person. I think that I should get equal pay as a man etc. etc. See, to me this is such a broad field. I think that God approves of women standing up for themselves and not being pushed around like in the past with not being able to vote etc. I think God approves of the fact that women have come a LONG way but I also believe that in God's eyes, we're all equal. I just don't think He sees it (the differences) like we do. Of course, that could have something to do with the fact that we're human? Anyway, just my opinion.....

If you do the same level of work as anyone, then sure, you should get the same pay and whatnot. I don't think anyone disagrees with you on things of that nature. It is a broad field, which is why I asked for a definition. To me, feminism is when women go too far to try and level the playing field, so much that it works against them (in multiple different forms).

 

[katelyn]

I believe men and women should have legal equality, but I don't think that means we have the same roles in life. Maybe we have the same purposes, but I still think the way those are played out is supposed to be different.

 

[Bonhoffer]

I beleive that Jesus would totally support the following:-
Votes for Women
Battered Wives Shelters
Female Self-Defence Class'
Equal Pay

However he would totally be against the radical fundementalist feminists.
Those extremists who attack 'men as a group' are NOT loving their neighbour and committing loads of Sin through hatred and deception.

It is also interesting how among the more radical areas of feminism there has been a rise in the occult!

Many women have turned to hedonistic goddess worshipping practices which is not something Jesus approves of.

 

[snoopy2]

Thanks for your replies, so far.

that depends on what you define as the feminist movement.

I've been trying to research a concise definition of 'feminism' as I understand it, and this was the closest to it that I could find:

http://www.slider.com/enc/19000/feminism.htm
feminismmovement for the political, social, and educational equality of women with men; the movement has occurred mainly in Great Britain and the United States. It has its roots in the humanism of the 18th cent. and in the Industrial Revolution. Feminist issues range from access to employment, education, child-care, contraception, and abortion, to equality in the workplace, changing family roles, redress for sexual harassment in the workplace, and the need for equal political representation.

I would think that most Christians wouldn't have a problem with the first part of the definiton, it becomes murkier, however, when considering issues within the second part. I think very few Christians would even try to defend abortion, but the 'changing family roles' seems to be a very grey area for some. That's why I'm interested in opinions in the light of how people think God sees the feminist movement and the defence (or not) in the light of scripture .

 

[PrNcSsChRmNg91]

I am quite a strong feminist. Everyone is twisting up the idea of feminism and what it means. There are some feminists who wants to be superior to men ect. but most feminists (including me) are not like that. What we stand for and push for is for men and women to be equal. We don't believe a person should be discriminated based on gender, race ect. in jobs, in politics and other issues. We try to eliminate rape, sexual harrasment, and sexual abuse. I do not think that this is violating the Scriptures in any way.

Feminist issues range from access to employment, education, child-care, contraception, and abortion, to equality in the workplace, changing family roles, redress for sexual harassment in the workplace, and the need for equal political representation.

Keyword it says range. Each feminist has their own range of issues. Some push for abortion, others don't. Some push for changing family roles, others don't. I hate when feminists are always labeled that they 'push for abortion, that they are going against the Bible', just because only some feminists do.. It's just generalization. It's like you have a group of men, and one of them is lazy so then you generalize that all those men are lazy. Just because one man is lazy doesn't mean that the rest of those men are lazy, and it goes the same way for feminists. Just because some will push for abortion, you shouldn't generalize that all do.

 

[Blessed75]

I am quite a strong feminist. Everyone is twisting up the idea of feminism and what it means. There are some feminists who wants to be superior to men ect. but most feminists (including me) are not like that. What we stand for and push for is for men and women to be equal. We don't believe a person should be discriminated based on gender, race ect. in jobs, in politics and other issues. We try to eliminate rape, sexual harrasment, and sexual abuse. I do not think that this is violating the Scriptures in any way.



Keyword it says range. Each feminist has their own range of issues. Some push for abortion, others don't. Some push for changing family roles, others don't. I hate when feminists are always labeled that they 'push for abortion, that they are going against the Bible', just because only some feminists do.. It's just generalization. It's like you have a group of men, and one of them is lazy so then you generalize that all those men are lazy. Just because one man is lazy doesn't mean that the rest of those men are lazy, and it goes the same way for feminists. Just because some will push for abortion, you shouldn't generalize that all do.

AMEN SISTER! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel the SAME way!

 

[charligirl]

I am quite a strong feminist. Everyone is twisting up the idea of feminism and what it means. There are some feminists who wants to be superior to men ect. but most feminists (including me) are not like that. What we stand for and push for is for men and women to be equal. We don't believe a person should be discriminated based on gender, race ect. in jobs, in politics and other issues. We try to eliminate rape, sexual harrasment, and sexual abuse. I do not think that this is violating the Scriptures in any way.

I think everyone would agree with this, but I don't get why believing in the above equals feminism, surely they are christian views? Why call yourself a strong feminist? why not just a socially concerned christian? There has to be more to identifying as a feminist than the above.

 

[sunshine]

I am quite a strong feminist. Everyone is twisting up the idea of feminism and what it means. There are some feminists who wants to be superior to men ect. but most feminists (including me) are not like that. What we stand for and push for is for men and women to be equal. We don't believe a person should be discriminated based on gender, race ect. in jobs, in politics and other issues. We try to eliminate rape, sexual harrasment, and sexual abuse. I do not think that this is violating the Scriptures in any way.


Keyword it says range. Each feminist has their own range of issues. Some push for abortion, others don't. Some push for changing family roles, others don't. I hate when feminists are always labeled that they 'push for abortion, that they are going against the Bible', just because only some feminists do.. It's just generalization. It's like you have a group of men, and one of them is lazy so then you generalize that all those men are lazy. Just because one man is lazy doesn't mean that the rest of those men are lazy, and it goes the same way for feminists. Just because some will push for abortion, you shouldn't generalize that all do.

thank you so much for posting that!!! I agree completely!
I identify myself as a feminist too, and often get very disgusted looks from church folk. so many people have such a slanted view of what feminism is. ironically, those who are appalled by the term "feminism" often agree with many of its principles.

 

[Blessed75]

as i've said before - why put a label on anything anyway? I can't stand labels b/c they cause so much un-needed controversary...........

 

[snoopy2]

Hi PrNcSsChRmNg91,

Just a couple of comments.

Everyone is twisting up the idea of feminism and what it means.

The definition used was from a completely neutral source, I only used it because it was concise and encapsulated issues that I believe are very relevant to contemporary Christianity. You only need to look at the various conversations on this forum to realise that current feminist ideology is very much an issue within Christianity. I would argue that to imply incorporating a wide range of feminist issues is somehow 'twisting' its meaning is to ignore an important and not inconsequential section of feminist doctrine.

I hate when feminists are always labeled that they 'push for abortion, that they are going against the Bible', just because only some feminists do..

I haven't seen evidence on this thread that that is the case. I think most people have been careful to distinguish between what they consider laudable traits and those they do not. With all due respect, you seem to be very defensive just discussing the issue . All I'm interested in is people's opinions regarding feminism per se, and whether or not they feel it is something ordained by God and in keeping with His word.

 

[PrNcSsChRmNg91]

Why call yourself a strong feminist? why not just a socially concerned christian?

I think it would be easier for me to call myself a 'feminist' than a 'socially concerned Christian' LOL!

I think everyone would agree with this, but I don't get why believing in the above equals feminism, surely they are christian views?

I completely agree with you that they are Christian views. And who ever said feminism was not? That whole explanation I gave was what feminism is. But there are some people that automatically think that feminists are women who wants to be superior to men. Truth be told, those women aren't feminists, they're sexists.

This is the whole idea I'm trying to get at people. That there is nothing wrong with being a feminist, and that most feminist values are values from the Bible.

I haven't seen evidence on this thread that that is the case.

Oh, I'm not talking about this thread only. I'm talking about my observations of the world on feminists.

With all due respect, you seem to be very defensive just discussing the issue . All I'm interested in is people's opinions regarding feminism per se, and whether or not they feel it is something ordained by God and in keeping with His word.

I apologize if I sound too rude or too defensive, LOL! I just get sometimes iffy with this subject because some people percieve feminism in the wrong way, you know what I mean?

God Bless ,
Stefania

 

[mamaneenie]

For me personally (this is just my view, please don't jump up and down at me)

I believe, that the feminist movement has caused more problems than good. Yes, there have been some good things to come out of it, such as women being able to vote etc. I do know there have been some great things to come out of it.

The thing that gets up my nose, is that it is starting to turn and I am finding that the guys are the ones with the short end of the stick. Not only that, it is almost impossible for the average mother to afford to stay at home with their kids. I blame the feminist movement on this.

I do not think that some things that have come out of the feminist movement are Godly at all.

 

[PrNcSsChRmNg91]

The thing that gets up my nose, is that it is starting to turn and I am finding that the guys are the ones with the short end of the stick.

What do you mean by this?

Not only that, it is almost impossible for the average mother to afford to stay at home with their kids. I blame the feminist movement on this.

I'm not sure if I would blame the feminist movement on this. Wouldn't it be the economy's fault?

Cheers!
Stefania

 

[katelyn]

I'm not sure if I would blame the feminist movement on this. Wouldn't it be the economy's fault?

Personally, I think this has more to do with the standard of living in our society. Since mothers working is now the norm, we expect to have a certain level of income, and it is rather frustrating for those who would like to stay at home because then they are "behind" everyone else, and the mother may even be criticized by some for not going out and working to help them make more money!

I don't know if anyone else would agree with this...it's just an opinion.