The tree of Feminism August 4, 2010
Posted by matthew5sixteen in Christianity.Tags: Christianity, feminism
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In an April 26, 2008 post, Anakin Niceguy of Biblical Manhood wrote about his dislike for Feminism. He references a post by Joe Soltys that criticizes the claim that Feminism is, in practice, about equality between men and women.
In addressing the issue of whether Feminism is bad or good, I have to state that I don’t really know if it’s good or bad. I have not had enough exposure to feminism to be able to give a thorough assessment of its merits. I have seen many people in the Men’s Rights Movement criticize Feminism and its adherents. Most of my knowledge of Feminism is second hand knowledge.
To act as a voice of moderation in this matter, I will state that Feminism as an idea is probably not a bad thing. It is comparable to the idea of civil rights for minorities. It seeks to better the lives of certain people. In the case of Feminism, it seeks to better the lives of women. At least this is the case in theory. In practice, it may be observed that not all women benefit from Feminism. The more radical elements of Feminism may bring supposed freedoms to women but may ultimately be harmful to those women who follow these more radical elements.
Feminism can be compared to Christianity. Just as there are false prophets in Christianity, there are false prophets in Feminism. False prophets seek to twist the good that is found in a movement and use it to further the false prophet’s own goals. False prophets may introduce teachings into a movement that seek to divide the followers of the movement from the general population. In other words, these false prophets may seek to radicalize the followers of the movement.
Feminism is not a bad thing. The followers of Feminism are not bad people. It is the leaders of Feminism that one must be concerned about. People who devote their lives to a cause usually do so because they have life changing experiences. When it comes to the leaders of Feminism, these experiences might not be good experiences but rather bad experiences that these leaders have gone through. These bad experiences may color the way they look at life and at other people. And it may lead these leaders down a path of extreme beliefs. These beliefs may be hurtful to others because they were born of hurt.
As Christians, we should not hate the people who hold feminist beliefs. We should be innocent of hate. But we should be sharply critical of the more harmful ideas espoused by their leaders. We should point out these harmful ideas and talk about them. We should not give these harmful ideas a free pass simply because of the claim that these ideas are all about equality.
I leave you with these verses: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.” (Matthew 7:15-18.)
Matthew5sixteen.
That was an interesting post..
I have had personal interactions with feminists – my family is full of them and my first boyfriend was one – as was my best friend from college.
They are all a different brand. My family accepts scripture unequivocally and believes feminism is simply about fair treatment of women.
My best friend from college had trouble accepting scripture because it said women should submit to their husbands and be silent in church.
My first boyfriend was by far more radical and very infuriating – that the FEMININE is a social construct based on upbringing…that anyone who buys into the “women stay home with the babies and are good wives” is a result of social upbringing and brainwashing.
Of course, the differences between my sister and I totally disprove that fact (we did everything together, including punishments), but it made me irrate because it made me stupid and incapable of independent thought because I wanted to stay home with my babies and be a good wife.
I am against Feminism as the “advancement of women’s rights at the expense of men’s and children’s (and conservative women’s)” and I think that modern feminism is more THAT than simple equality between men and women.
@Christina,
Thank you for your response. I guess I should look at it as being fortunate that I have had little contact with feminists in my life. But I think that somewhere along the line, I picked up several feminist ideas. I don’t really have a problem with a woman being independent. Somehow, my feelings on women are pretty liberal. Perhaps it’s because I grew up and live in a liberal state =). Maybe when I say I haven’t met any feminists what I mean is that I haven’t met any radical feminists.
I can understand your friend’s reluctance to follow scripture because she is into Feminism. I have been at that stage in life before. When I thought I was strong and independent. When I thought I could do things on my own. When I was at that stage, I was quick to rebel against God. It’s only when I failed again and again at whatever I did that I began to truly realize and admit that I needed God in my life.
I hope that your friend will get a chance to better know God in the future.