T O P I C R E V I E W
Irm
Member # 27418
posted 04-04-2011 08:49 PM
Have you checked out the All Girl Army ? If not, you should! It's a blogging community for young feminists, aged 10-25, from all imaginable backgrounds. Things have been a little slow, so for this week's roll call, we're opening up the floor to GUEST BLOGGERS! Write your own blog entry in response to this week's roll call (found here ) and post it as a reply to this Scarleteen thread. The AGA girls will vote on a handful of posts to appear on the front page. If you're interested in joining the AGA and blogging weekly, we've still got space. Click here to enlist! Alright, here's a copy of this week's roll call: quote: Religion. Feminism. Mutually exclusive, or complimentary? Are religious teachings inherently detrimental to feminism, or is it only the way they are practiced? How do those of us who are religious consolidate religious history with modern practice? What about those of us who are proud atheists: is your atheism entwined with your feminism? What about those of us who practice Eastern philosophies, like Buddhism and Tao? When writing this blog, focus on your OWN personal life and experiences. Tell us about your experiences at home, in school, in your community, and within yourself. This is a powerful topic, with plenty to draw on. Please include in your post what name you would like your post to appear under. Bear in mind that your post cannot contain any personal, identifying information, such as school name or location. If you are under 13, you will need to submit a signed permission slip from a legal guardian (which we will provide) before your blog post can be displayed.
bigfarty
Member # 49263
posted 05-02-2011 01:17 PM
I am a christian and words cannot express how much agony and misery it causes me everyday. I am torn between what I think is right and being punished eternally in hell. According to the Bible feminism and christianity are not compatible and I struggle with this everyday. !
Heather
Member # 3
posted 05-02-2011 01:21 PM
Want to talk about this? Because I know the Bible doesn't mention feminism at all, just like it doesn't mention cars or airplanes: feminism wasn't around when it was written, which is why it isn't addressed in there at all. There are plenty of Christian feminists out and about in the world. As well, your religion is your choice, so if a given one isn't working for you, you always have the option of not participating in it and seeking out or developing a belief system that doesn't put you in constant agony like you're expressing. [ 05-02-2011, 01:23 PM: Message edited by: Heather ]
bigfarty
Member # 49263
posted 05-02-2011 01:31 PM
I just feel sad because of the way my father treats my mom and theres nothing she can do according to the bible the man is the "king of the castle" and it is in the bible that a woman should obey her husband in all things and divorce is always wrong no matter what. The Bible is full of double standards and it is the root of double standards about virginity and condones polygamy For me I see so many women suffering and I feel I cant help them because the bible DOES say that men are in control. For me I cant just say I dont believe in gravity because I dont agree with it. You jump of a building gravity will kill you whether you believe in it or not. Thats how I feel about christianity its an inescapable fact and I have had some experiences that support it.
Heather
Member # 3
posted 05-02-2011 01:34 PM
I agree that there are certainly plenty of things in the Bible which support those views, but there are also plenty of things that don't. To boot, how someone interprets the Bible really varies quite a lot. I know some Christians and ministers who would very much disagree that according to their reading of the Bible, maltreating women is acceptable. But I hear you saying you really don't feel at all okay about this religion. So, have you looked into others, or looked into just not having one at all? You don't have to subscribe to something you don't believe in, after all, or which you feel is negative and supports or enables things you find unacceptable.
bigfarty
Member # 49263
posted 05-02-2011 01:40 PM
Thanks for trying to help ! Its a little tough to swallow for me but I do believe in christianity 100 percent and as I mentioned not believing in something doesnt make it untrue. I really believe that if you dont follow the bible you could go to hell and I really wouldnt want to risk it. Im just going to do my best even though it doesnt necassarily make me the worlds happiest person atleast I feel like I did what I could not to burn eternally. ( sorry if I sound harsh or like a fanatic! Im not I just have had some really freaky supernatural experiences in my life proving christianity)
Heather
Member # 3
posted 05-02-2011 01:57 PM
Ever read a book like this one ? Or look into a denomination that is more feminist? I respect everyone's choices in religious beliefs when they don't try and force them on other people, so no need to defend yours or worry about how you appear in both having those beliefs or questioning them.
bigfarty
Member # 49263
posted 05-02-2011 02:06 PM
Thanks for the book suggestion I'll definitely look into it. I dont really have a denomination I'm a freelance christian I guess?
Heather
Member # 3
posted 05-02-2011 02:38 PM
Considering Jesus was basically a freelance Jew, that seems pretty appropriate.
CoatRack
Member # 50455
posted 05-20-2011 07:40 AM
Can I strongly encourage you to check out UCC churches - the United Church of Christ? They are a Protestant Christian denomination, as their name suggests, and also progressive. The tagline is "no matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here." Some of my best friends and greatest sources of inspiration are UCC minister friends of mine. Their website is http://ucc.org/ and if you find a congregation near you I bet the minister would be more than happy to meet with you if you wanted to, to talk about religion and feminism and all of that kind of stuff. Ministers have "office hours" during the week that are specifically there to meet with congregants, potential congregants, and people in the community so you wouldn't be taking any time "away" from the minister if that's something that worries you.
CoatRack
Member # 50455
posted 05-20-2011 12:56 PM
Are you looking for submissions from female-identified people only? I definitely have stuff to say but I ID as transmasculine genderqueer.
CougarBite
Member # 53267
posted 06-03-2011 03:11 PM
It is possible to be religious and be anywhere on the spectrum of sexuality. I can not remember precise quotes but you have to take the old testament at face value as "what ever is considered law on earth will be in heaven" which is a little tricky due to local laws. Also just after about not being gay it does say not to eat pork or to wear "mix" fabrics (ie nearly most modern day clothing). I researched alot of religions to find a right one I was United Reformed for a while (like CoE but smaller) In the end I decided I was a "spiritualist" believing in something better but turning away from organised religions.