Misogyny & Male Supremacism

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?

Remember the “Nuremberg Files”? Yeah.

Getting back together with Sarah Sentilles’ Breaking Up With God.

Renewal Project in Missouri gathers pastors for Todd Akin.

Tyler Perry’s Madea franchise is part of a collective of black, fat drag, comedy-dramas. These films bear six distinguishing features: 1) they are considered “successful” because they gross more than their production costs; 2) they are accompanied by an R&B/gospel soundtrack, and 3) include casts of popular black actors and actresses who are well known within African American communities. Also characteristic of these films are 4) the use of multiple and arguably watered-down Protestant messages about the importance of faith in God, couched in comedic performance, to appeal to mass audiences. An additional feature is that 5) the black church is the space where a significant turning point and/or the film’s resolution occur. Most notably, these films are characterized by 6) the donning of intricately designed fat suits by black men (Tyler Perry, Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy) to parody black women.

“Atheism+” formed to address social justice problems in the atheist community, but it may have to reckon with religion.

You do, internet.

A pair of historians discuss Republican rep. Todd Akin’s remarks on “legitimate rape”: the female body carries a huge burden of representation: her ability to protect the boundaries of her body, and to maintain her purity, reflects the church’s ability to do the same.