Why do Christians think women should be subservient to men?

Question

I'm sorry, but I can't abide by this "man is the head of the household" BS the Christians seem to think is the only way to live. I was always taught that a husband and a wife were partners, equal in power in the household. I couldn't live with being subservant to my man. Do you know what would happen if I let him make all the decisions around the house? We'd have six Wiis but no food. We'd be hungry, cold, and probably on fire.

Ok, ok, he's not that bad, but you get the idea. :p

I love my guy, and I respect him, but I will never be subservent to him, and he would never expect me to be. We make all decisions together and face all problems side by side. Why do Christians think this is wrong?

Let's give m. b a big round of applause for proving to us why he will never get laid!

I know not all Christians do, but I know that a lot do, and I see it on this forum quite a lot.

We don't want men to be subservient to us, robert m, we want to be equal to them.

Answer 1

i am christian if you take a look at the bible marriage is a partnership. the woman is the husbands "help mate" not SLAVE. help mate = assistant ..admin...partner. manYdenominations interpret this incorrectly. im saved and my husband is saved we have a wonderful relationship. mainly bc we are great friends. and the bible intended for marriage to be a partnership not a monarchy...

Answer 2

Well the woman is only if the man is totally subservient to Christ.

Think of this really... the man is not to BOSS around the woman and the Bible proves it. The Bible says that the man is to LOVE the woman as Christ loved the Church!! Now Christ was TORTURED and killed for the Church!! What man who believes this would treat his woman like a dirt bag??

By the way the Bible COMMANDS the man to NOT be EVER bitter towards his wife... and no where does the Bible command the woman to LOVE the man.. .though she obviousley should.
A true Bible marriage is a TEAM working together.

Follow how the TRUE Bible marriage should work... read it all you will be surprised:
The ONLY thing is that in a decision the man is to have the final say AFTER seeking the womans opinion....
HOW CAN A COMPANY RUN WITH 2 HEADS?!?!?!
If you have a company it is ONE decision maker with many who give advice on the decision!

If the man goes AGAINST the wifes advice.... HE will be accountable for the decision NOT her. God will judge the MAN not the woman.

Also, the man is held accountable for what goes wrong in the household, not the woman.

Seriously think about it... a big decision comes up.. the man is to consult the wife (she is very smart, and sometimes smarter than the man in some cases) they discuss the pros and cons... she gives her advice...

Well, ONE must have the final say otherwise they run into a stalemate so to speak.
Well God gave this to the man since he was created first...but will also JUDGE the MAN for the decision. If the wife wants to make the decision God will judge her and the man...

Also, if the wife says no to a decision and the man says yes and goes ahead with it, and it is the WRONG decision.. he will also eat his own words, cuz wife was right. Since man is prideful he will think twice about making a dumb decision.

Anyway, the Bible is against the man ruling the woman with an iron fist... this is NOT what the Bible says. The man is to love her so MUCH he is willing to DIE for her! And do ANYTHING for her to make her happy.

Don't let false christians tell you how a marriage should be...man telling wife what to do and do it now... that is UNSCRIPTURAL....

Also keep this in mind, the Bible says for the wife to obey the husband as IS FIT IN THE LORD.... this does not mean obey like a dog..... it means if the man is telling her to do things that are NOT FIT IN THE LORD, she is under no obligation to follow him.

No, a man is to love her more than anything in this world.

Answer 3

well, I don't see it as "subservient" myself.
within the male realm there is also a pecking order.
not everyone can be the leader, and infact, in nature in certain groups, a hormone is released by the leader of the group that no other member of that group has.
I think its part of nature to have a leader and that the leader has followers. I would assume that in a family group the same dynamics is at work. I don' t think that women should be put on a pedastal either, and I don' t think that men should just cop out and let the woman take over and do all the decision making either.
The teaching I've been taught is that women should pay attention to the man and have respect for him, but a man should lay down his life for his woman. This is a harsher teaching for the man than it is for the woman.

Answer 4

Why does the pack animal have an Alpha? It is all about dominance, as we have evolved into a technological society we still have dominant and submissive roles, but more in the broader scale as opposed to the interpersonal. In the deep past the men were the protectors and the ones to leave the camp, or cave to hunt for food, while the women tended to the base of the tribes operations. As we evolved traits that were passed down through time evolved as well. Most animals want to be the dominant member of their social structure, whether it be a man or a wolf, we have the same dominating instincts. With society, we have less of our instincts and base our society on our intellectuality but some instinct remains. This may not explain why some feel that they must control every interaction, but it does in a way help to clear the fog.

Answer 5

Maybe you've talked to some "uneducated" Christians, who could not explain certain things written in the Bible. The roles of men and women are different, and it doesn't mean that women must be subservient to men. You rightly called it BS!

Nevertheless traditional views and values of the modern soceity clash in many instances on this issue and some people fail to understand what the Apostles meant by talking about the order established from eternity. I think the key to understanding the true meaning of the relationship between men and women is provided by Christ Himself in Matthew 22:30: "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven."

Answer 6

well, I don't believe that we are subservient as women to our men as you have described... but that we show him respect as we would want him to show to us... it's like the "golden rule" states ... "do unto others as you would have others do to you"....
I like this saying really well... Eve was created from Adams rib to be by his side... It kind of says the things that you are saying... that you are an equal partnership and make decisions together!
I know that some men (or women) get kind of power hungry in a relationship and have to be in total control... they are the boss! But that is a dominant relationship and usually there is some kind of unrighteous dominion going on ... I hate that too... tyrants!
It's just that it takes two to make things work out... two sides, two minds, hearts as well as love, respect and caring for each other!
There is nothing wrong with that ok! Good luck and don't worry about what anyone else thinks or says... it is up to you and your man to be happy in your relationship and whatever works best for you is great!

Answer 7

Christians do not necessarily believe that it is "wrong" for women to take a position of power within a household. Although it may be a seemingly "subservient" position, Christian women actually hold a great power within their households. The workload is clearly a shared one in the typical stereotyped Christian household; the man is the protector and bread winner for the family while the woman nurtures and cares for them. The man is in this sense the "head" of the household....but the woman is sort or like the "brain." haha. Behind every great man, there is a great woman...
Personally, I enjoy the position of "subservience." Such a position knows no bounds in power...the power of suggestion, the power of nurturance, etc. We don't always get the credit we deserve for the great work we do...but in this sense, it is a humbling and fulfilling experience...*wink wink.

Answer 8

The husband is to "love his wife as he loves himself". The husband is to be the "head of the household". If you and your husband are on the same page, then he would want every bit of your input on those decisions anyway. My wife and I have been married over 31 years. We have three children and one grandchild. We have been Christians for about twenty years and we are both VERY MUCH IN LOVE! I do not make decisions without discussing such with her. I never want to hurt her in any way and you could never do anything to hurt me in her presence. We are and always have been sharing individuals. She and I would give you the coat the we wear if you need it. We have taken people into our home and have worked many jobs so that we could purchase the things that we feel our children deserve. GOD has certainly blessed us for many, many years. Do you really believe that the books of Timothy that say the man is the head of the household was written to make you "bow down"? I do not and neither does my wife or children. I hope that you will consider studying the BIBLE with a group of Non-denominational Christians in your neighborhood. Have a great week!
Eds

Answer 9

Who says women should be subservient to men? That sounds like a Muslim tradition, not a Christian one. All the true Christians I know and have known tend to have balanced relationships, sharing the responsibilities & priveleges of the marriage & parenting equally. In some things there has to be a final decision maker, and the man usually makes that decision as head of the household - but only after very carefull consideration of his partner's thoughts & feelings on the matter (if he knows what's good for him, that is!)

Answer 10

Not all Christians think women should be subservient but many think that it is heaven's order for a man to be the head of a family, after all, historically it was mainly men who defended the tribe. Most men of whatever background share this opinion although because of cowardice will not voice such opinion. As one man I know said... let the wife say what she likes but in the end my way will prevail.

Answer 11

Because if a man follows christianity properly, you would do back flips to follow him and be subservient to him. A women should not marry a man she does not have this much respect and admiration for. Your hostility towards men will prevent you from understanding this answer. But I wish you all the best.