Hi everyone: This has nothing to do with teaching psychology, so read or discard at your own pleasure.
>The Biblical quotes in a previous message only referred to a "spiritual" equality among >men and women, not an intellectual one OK, I'll bite, since I think you are probably referring to my previous posts. Where is the evidence that the passages I cited only refer to a spiritual equality. If we look at the entire life of Christ, we see that he primarily associated with those people who were oppressed, disenfranchised, and alienated by their decidedly patriarchal society. This includes women. Jesus first revealed his deity to a women, healed women, and often stood up for and defended women who were being treated unfairly. Evidence from other passages suggest that women very often sought out Jesus and enjoyed spending time with him. Not something you would expect from someone who condemns the oppression of women. In fact, I would argue that Jesus was probably one of the first feminists. (I'm sure that comment will get a rise out of someone!) Read the Gospels. The Jesus you find there may be quite different than the Jesus you've heard about or learned about in Sunday school. >I've seen submission work in marriages--but only in those that are based on D/s >relationships (Dominance/submission is part of the bdsm lifestyle, although not >necessarily involving pain or punishment). In those relationships, it is clear that one >partner is the "master/mistress" and the other the "submissive/slave." That's interesting...I never knew my wife and I were into bdsm. Maybe she should start addressing me as "master." In the rare event that my educated, intelligent, articulate, responsible, and loving wife doesn't want to be treated that way, can I tell her that you implied that she clearly was the submissive slave? Wait a minute, maybe I'm the one who is clearly the submissive slave because I also submit to her...Hmm, this is getting really confusing. Maybe I should hang up my whips and chains and just become a good old-fashioned wife beater... Let's understand the cultural context in which submission was discussed. The Bible instructs men to love their wives as their own bodies. This was being said to men who lived in a culture in which it was common practice to treat their wives like property. The goal was to get men to value their wives and treat them with respect. Pretty radical message to tell men, don't you think. The Bible instructs women to submit to their husbands. This was being said to women who had lived for countless generations under the control of their oppressive husbands. Then this guy named Jesus comes along and says that all humans are equal in the sight of God and worthy of respect. Jesus suddenly gave women freedom. What do imprisoned people do when they first get freedom? They go overboard! (Just take a look at the problems of first-year students who for the first time are away from the direct control of their parents.). The Bible simply instructs women that they are still married and still need to respect and honor their husbands. You can twist it all you want to, but the the Bible instructs all people to treat all other people with honor and respect. People can get so bent out of shape over the idea of mutual submission in marriage. We tend to forget that the underlying idea in this message is to treat your partner with love and respect and to value them as a uniquely-created and deeply-loved child of God. Christians may have twisted the meaning over the years, but that does not change the basic principles of Christianity as set forth in Scripture (it actually gives more creedance to the Biblical principle that people are imperfect). By the way, Rick, you never answered my previous question to you. What is your reaction to the characteristics of relationships that I posted? You had asked for the Scriptural references and I provided them for you. I submit to you, with citations from the Bible, that *those* are the characteristics that define a Christian relationship. You asked for that information, so I await your comments. Fondly, Rod Hetzel -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] ". . . and the only measure of your worth and your deeds will be the love you leave behind when you're gone." --Fred Small --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
