Is it hypocrisy to use Paul's writings to condemn homosexuals, but ignore them regarding women's behavior?

Question

The religious right often uses Romans 1:26-17 to condemn homosexuals. But they ignore most of the other "laws" Paul gave to the church, such as the following:
I Corinthians 7:39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
I Corinthians 14:34-35 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

My question is, if the Bible is the absolute standard of behavior, why do almost all Protestant churches refuse to obey ALL of it? By definition, are they hypocrites or not?

Even in context, the meaning stays the same. There is nothing in the surrounding scriptures that would affect or alter these laws.

Observe how the religious right get's nasty when answering this question.

AND long winded.

Ok, enough of the context argument. The religious right also take Romans 1:26-27 out of context. Pull the beam out of your own eyes before you try to pluck the splinter from someone else's.

Answer 1

Most Bible followers are hypocrites, and those believers who are not hypocrites are called extremists.

I look it like this. The Bible is a buffet bar and people go through picking and choosing what they like, and passing over the rest.

Answer 2

Yes is the short answer. They are hypocrites. Now as far as your examples go, there is more to them than as far a the subject of what was being taught - But as far as homosexuality goes,it is condemned throughout the Word. It shouldn't be too hard to see how a womans body is built, and how a mans body is built and how one part goes perfectly into the other part, and what do ya know, hey it even works when you do it that way- you continue the human race. Anything else is not only unnatural, but it also takes the "circle of life" and trashes it. It shouldn't take a deep thinker to figure out that it is wrong. But, we live in a time when people can't keep their panties on even long enough to think about whats right or wrong - hey, if it feels good, its cool.
About hypocrites in the Church - Most of the time the church systems don't even teach the Bible as Paul suggested (line by line, precept upon precept) thats so that people won't take stuff out of context, and will learn Gods Word instead of some Churches word. But, if they did teach that way, they would be discovered as the hypocrites they are, so they aren't about to do that! God states that upon his return, he's gonna visit the Churches FIRST - And, He says, he's gonna get the support beams of the ceilings of their Church, and smack them right down on top of their heads. Boy, do they ever deserve it, and wow are they ever gonna get it.

Answer 3

yes they should follow all of it.. but in the intended sense of the literature

as far as women in the church... since they vote and are the largest group they will always have significant influence... churches vary... a brethren church they would apply those verses fairly literally... many churches would apply them preferring male leadership for authoritative roles teaching doc tine ...most churches have very significant roles for women running vacation bible schools, Sunday school superintendents, hospitality, youth ministry but under the authority of a man somehow, possibly an assigned elder...

some more liberal views would allow women to be teaching ministers, senior pasters.etc... I think male leadership is normative.. and women as pastor would in my view be the exception... like Deborah the Judge in the Old estament... not the rule

so hypocritical?... I guess it depends on the person.. sometimes the shoe fits sometimes it doesn't

Answer 4

All religions do not practice the same way. God has set in motion a chain of command so to speak, God is head of Jesus, Jesus is head of man, man is head of woman, parents over children. The reason is he is a God of order. Woman is considered to be the weaker sex, and the first command to children is to be obedient to parents that it may go well for them. Women are spoken of in the bible as being a "large army" so they do have an important role in God's arrangement. Each has his own responsiblity in the family and the organization he belongs to.In the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses men have the responsiblity to lead and organize arrangements within the congregation but all have the opportunity to participate lending their wisdom and experience to sharpen others there,even children. A woman is allowed to witness to others anywhere but is expected to show respect for the headship value. If a qualified man is present he will take the lead in the discussion.
1 Timothy 2:11
I do not permit a woman to teach, or to exercise authority over a man, but to be in silence.
Women are not to raise questions challenging men in the congregation if it demonstrates a lack of subjection.
1 Corinthians 14:33
33 For God is [a God], not of disorder, but of peace.
At Pentecost 33 CE Holy Spirit was poured out on men and women and it was stated that they would prophesy. Like wise today they share in the Christian ministry.
Psalms 68:11
11 Jehovah himself gives the saying;
The women telling the good news are a large army.
As far as being bound by law to her husband this is true today as it was with the early christians. Marriage is considered a holy arrangement and is meant to be for life. The only ground for dissolution of a marriage is fornication. This practice is followed today in Jehovah's organization.
Marriage should be a permanent bond
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2002/2/8/article_03.htm
Women
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/1998/4/8/article_03.htm
Also here is a link to how to identify false religion
http://www.watchtower.org/e/kn37/article_01.htm

Answer 5

Hypocrisy should not be confused with acts of ignorance and/or stupidity. Hypocrisy is a willful act. Having said that, you must take verses in context and explore what other parts of the bible say about a subject. Having said that, we must realize that learned godly men have different opinions about scriptures. Having said that, yes, I think it is hypocritical.

Answer 6

I agree that many churches do not want to teach ALL of the Word of GOD. It almost seems like they are afraid they will lose members..and as a result of that, money.

I work in a ministry called Shattered Men. We address abuse and especially domestic violence. Most of the "Christian" ministries including some very well known ones do not want to acknowledge that women are NOT 95% of the victims of abuse. In reality, it is equal.

It would appear that most want to ignore this fact and do not realize that by doing so, more women will be hurt as often men get tired of being abused and will eventually hit back.

I have also had many men and women confirm that on Mother's day, the messages almost make it seem like women walk on water and have bright glowing halos but on Father's day, the men hear only how all of the evils of society rest only upon them....and they wonder why fewer and fewer men are going to church.

Many of these same churches tell men they are responsible to be the head of their homes but they fail to tell women they are to let them. In our society, if a many does try to follow Biblical principals of headship, he can be accused of abuse and the church will back his wife. Check the 3rd link on Marriage, His duties, Her duties

Answer 7

so if you are right then your conclusion is to be able to label people who do this hypocrits and say they are guilty of hypocrisy.
Which is just a word. It's almost like a math or logic problem.
The real issue is not condemning those folks but understanding them better because obviously there is more to the picture.
Ask a person who thinks this why and tell them of your confusion. It will be better if you don't call them names like hypocrit but really try to understand.

Answer 8

If they followed the laws you outlined they'd have an awful hard time arguing that Christianity is based on equality between the sexes, and that Christianity has done more for the status of women than any other religion.

Answer 9

I'm not sure you can compare what two men do in a bed to what two woman would do, and we all know how churches are lenient towards some scriptures, this is not exactly hypocrisy we are just more tolerant that's all.

Answer 10

Why would you listen to someone that is just another follower of your religion? Would you take what another Chrisitan friend said as law? Believe in God because he has touched your life and live on Jesus's priciples. Does anything else matter?

Answer 11

When the bible talks about homosexuals and homosexuality is really sirious and very specific that "that men who sleep with men wil not inherit the kingdom of heaven.

It is not to the church for you to obey.
It is between you and god.
god will you your judge.