The nomination of a “traditional” woman to so high a position publicly unearthed the conflicting views on feminist identity buried within the conservative Christian community.
Just after the new pope effectively shut the door to the ordination of women, a priest connects his segregated Louisiana upbringing and campaign to end the U.S. Army School of the Americas to last year’s excommunication for his refusal to quit ordaining women.
While researching the history of philosophical arguments about the existence of God, it gradually became clear that my undertaking was in fact a study of masculinity, so shot through were these arguments with gendered assumptions and ideals. And, as a study of masculinity, it was also a study of patriarchy.
Pope Francis turned heads with statements that suggest a course correction in the church’s attitude toward gays and women, but ultimately it’ll be what ministry, decision-making power, and moral authority women share that will answer the question.
The Souther Baptist Convention’s Lifeway Christian Resources refused to stock Rachel Held Evans’ book ostensibly because it contains the word “vagina.” Or is it that a female writer will only be acceptable if she recites SBC rhetoric, fully supports SBC leaders, and knows her place at home and at church?
