"No female Pastors. Pretty straightforward I think. I don't think it's sexist either."
thoughts.
2007-11-16 14:34:41 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
"quote"......
2007-11-16 14:36:15 · update #1
I'm not the one who said it.
2007-11-16 14:49:34 · update #2
It's sexist. There's no reason to prevent females from becoming pastors, except for the fact that people think that they are inferior in some way, which they are not. I guess it's mostly tradition.
2007-11-16 14:37:32 · answer #1 · answered by Alex H 5 · 2⤊ 5⤋
I don't, and I'm Christian. Actually, my wife is an ordained minister (although she isn't currently practicing).
But I think what is going on here is that some people confuse "gender essentialism" with "sexism".
People who believe in 'gender essentialism', believe that men and women are equally valuable in every way, but are designed for different roles. The same way that a dollar bill and a silver dollar are worth the same, but you can only make a paper airplane out of one of them.
Sexism is the idea that one gender is more valuable than the other, and that society ought to accomodate that superiority by giving more respect and more resources to the superior gender (regardless of what gender you think that is).
Some people would argue that 'gender essentialism' is inherently sexist because it is not possible for society to grant the same level of prestige to two different roles. They might also argue that seperate roles mean limited opportunities for both men and women.
But if you ask me, I say we should live and let live. If you're a man and you find spiritual fulfilment in a female dominated church, don't let the opinions of others affect your own personal relationship with Heaven.
If you feel you are being discriminated against because of your gender, or if you feel that gender norms are holding you back from advancing in your church, go find a church that will let you be you. You're not doing anyone any favors by staying, and you'll be miserable yourself.
On a larger level, all churches discriminate to some degree. Even the most liberal churches discriminate against people based on their age (ever seen a 5-year-old pastor?). The trick is to find a church that discriminates in a way you agree with. As for me, I hope that someday my wife will rejoin the ministry. Heaven knows I could use a lift.
2007-11-16 23:02:26 · answer #2 · answered by Conrad 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Plenty of Christians disagree. There are a lot of denominations out there that ordain female pastors.
I think the reason some denominations refuse to allow women as pastors, deacons or elders is, women are much more likely to keep things going in a church. In the majority of families that attend church, the wife/mother is the catalyst for the husband and kids. She keeps the spiritual flame alight. Confining the leadership roles to men forces men to assume the responsibilities that they might otherwise shrug off in favor of going to the game, or sleeping all day, or hanging with their buds. Sounds sexist, but I have heard more than one Christian leader explain it this way, neatly backed by some alleged scriptural justifications.
2007-11-16 22:49:17 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
True, it is a very cute cat. I am a big cat lover even though I am a straight guy (no offense). I am a devout Christian and we strongly believe that there can be female pastors, preachers, and / or priests. I am a member of the Episcopal Church (very similar to the Catholic church except we don't pray to Mary and we don't have confession, but other than that, we are almost exactly the same.
Generic Pharmacist in Tennessee
2007-11-16 22:43:46 · answer #4 · answered by genericpharmacist 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
In the early years, the Apostolic Church, men were given much more teaching than women, and so scripture address's this to the custom of that day. Women obey, women listen, and so on.
Today, however, women receive just as much teaching as men and as long as they have a true calling and are lead by the Holy Spirit I see no problem with a female pastor. It is one tough job though, lots of responsibility.
2007-11-16 22:47:09 · answer #5 · answered by Terry L 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Nope, you're not going to get wide agreement on this one. I believe this idea comes from the husband being the spiritual head of the household; many people interpret this to mean that women should never be leaders of men. That's not what the scripture says. And I don't recall scripture saying that certain spiritual gifts would only be given to members of one sex and not the other.
2007-11-16 22:41:39 · answer #6 · answered by BAMAMBA 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
With out even reading your quote I would answer no. There are too many Christians to have a monolith opinion on any subject.
While women were a nonentity, ( or near nonentity), in the Hebrew culture of Christ time, they played a significant part of Jesus ministry.
I cannot imagine Mary remaining silent after the Resurrection of Christ.
Just my opinion, mind you. not the Gospel.
2007-11-16 22:44:40 · answer #7 · answered by caffine jag 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No, I don't agree with it. My wife and I were married by a pastoral couple. I also teach basic computer skills at a Christian school, and have met a few.
The Die-hard "Fire and Brimstone" types are the ones that practice the "no female pastos" thing. I see nothing wrong with it.
2007-11-16 22:41:39 · answer #8 · answered by SARswimmer95 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Thats why its important to understand what is cultural and what is not in regards to the bible. There are some female pastors that are great at what they speak about
2007-11-16 22:41:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Don't know where the "quote" came from, but I do not agree since there are many female pastors. In Christ, "there is neither Jew nor Gentile, bond nor free, male nor female.", that's the only quote I know of.
2007-11-16 22:41:45 · answer #10 · answered by gg28 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋