Did God intend for us to discriminate?

Question

There are differences between men and women. In fact, there are differences in capabilities between the average man and the average woman. Men have more muscle mass, for instance.

Even though men are stronger than women, we cannot fool ourselves into thinking that this is universally true. For instance, to suggest that Tina the 22 year old black belt in judo is weaker than a 17 year old, 110 pound boy would be complete idiocy.

One of my good friends claims that God created man and woman different, and thus it violates God's wishes for us to reverse the roles of man and woman in society. As I understand it, this is a common apologetic Christian belief.

The general idea here is that presenting men as leaders and women as submissive is not sexist; these are roles condusive to the nature of both genders. However, just as a judo chick would pwn me, so too are there counterexamples to these stereotypes.

*continued*

I have seen many Christians chafe against females taking dominant roles. For example, the friend I mentioned thinks that my girlfriend shouldn't be the one wearing the pants in the relationship; I should be the dominant one. It sort of throws her for a loop that I'm whipped and enjoying it. Same goes for leadership positions. There is a belief left over from the Dark Ages that women are unfit for leadership, and so many ultraconservative men hate working under women and/or would never consider a woman for a leadership role.

Anyway, back to Tina.

Tina the brown belt is not rebelling against God; she happens to have a massive physique, unlike me, and she chooses to nurture it. Would it not be discriminatory to tell Tina that her desire to be stronger than your average asian kid is evil?

OKAY, MAYBE I NEED TO SAY IT IN ONE NICE, EASY TO READ PARAGRAPH.

FOR THE IDIOTS WHO SAID TL;DR:

There are women who are stronger than men. These women are not rebelling against God; they were born this way. There are very weak men in this world. They are more passive even than the average woman. Is it discriminatory against strong, capable women to say that women are not supposed to be stronger than men, y/n?

Frick.

Silver, this question was aimed specifically at YOU. I'm saying that even if we consider the roles of dominant and submissive a nice thing, it is still a discriminatory belief against women who are stronger than men.

This is the very definition of discrimination: Ignorance and judgement. Black people steal a lot of cars. They commit a lot more crimes. This does not mean that the upper-middle-class black dude who lives across the street is going to steal your car.

Thanks very much for all your answers. I'm very pleasantly surprised by these.

Icthyus-- I'd actually like to hear more about that. Where do you see people being 'afraid' to be feminine, or masculine? My utter lack of masculinity comes naturally to me, I assure you.

Nickster-- the concept of 'spiritual leadership' is a bit alien to me. I am put in mind of the family in The Poisonwood Bible. I hope that this is not what you mean. The idea is that not all women are china pots, and applying that distinction tends to discriminate those who are stronger than their counterparts. A rather exaggerated version of Tina would probably end up protecting her husband (and believe me, these women do exist.)

Jesus Rocks: Again, there are definitely going to be women who are more fit to be "responsible for everything."

Answer 1

There is nothing in the bible that says women can't work to maximize her physical power as long as she doesn't use it to pound little Asian guys. LOL !!!(or to control any man).
I've actually read the bible a few times and I'm about 90% sure on that.
Gods roles for men & women are really quite fair if applied properly.Women are submissive yes but men are responsible for everything (just about).
Well good luck,its a big subject (just wanted to add my 2 cents)

Answer 2

I don't understand why are men so afraid to be men and women so afraid to be women? I mean as a women I am seen as no less in the sight of God. Some people God bless to be athletic some thinker some musician some men and some women. There is a special honor in being a Christian women and there is a special honor in being a Christian man. The roles are different. If everyone was a pitcher on a baseball then who would catch? One is not better only different.

Look I have no problem with women being strong and individuals but why must this take away from their femininity?

Answer 3

Dear AM of Hawaii,

The Bible does clearly state the role of men and women and relationships seem to work best when God's design is followed. For example God clearly states that parents should teach their kids about the Lord and kids should respect their parents. Now this is not always the case- and you can always find an exception where (as crazy as it sounds) kids can be even more adult-like than their parents- but the general idea is that God has defined roles of men and women.

Now when you read the Scriptures contextually and study God's word you learn some great things. When God speaks of men and women- the man's job is to love the women. And the women's job is to submit (not submit- like be subject to his every whim- remember his job is to love her). But because God has described her as the "weaker vessel," (meaning like: Men are like stone pots and women are like fine china and should be cherished and protected. (In your example are their exceptions to the rule- possibly) but Tina's future husband should still take care of her and take the spiritual leadership in the house. The man's role is to be the spiritual leader- the woman's role is to respect the man enough that she would follow his lead.

i think that in some relationships where the man is completely whooped-- it's not very spiritually healthy.

Hope that helps. Feel free to email me with any particular questions. i think i answered one of your other questions and i appreciate your interest in God.

Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 4

Discrimination is not the problem. It is the basis of discrimination. Its just stupid not to hire a person because they are a certain age, colour or gender etc. Discriminate between people on their individual gifts and limitations. If a person need to lift 20kg boxes, then give the job to a person who can do that.

God wants us to love, that is his wish. Do that and all else will fall into place. Don't blame God for your prejudices. Judge individuals of their behaviour not their genes.

Answer 5

the charge of the sexism of the bible is based upon a lack of knowledge of scripture. when men and women of all ages have taken their God-ordained places and lived according to "thus says the lord," then there is a wonderful balance between the genders. that balance is what God began with, and it is what he will end with. there is an inordinate amount of attention paid to the various products of sin and not to the root of it. hope this helps.

Answer 6

God created "woman" out of "man" because He saw that man was lonely and needed a helper.

it doesnt mean discrimination. is just the way it is.

your counterexamples doesnt mean anything.

God did not say woman should not be stronger, better, or smarter than man. we made that up.

Answer 7

If you are talking about the abrahamic god, then yes, he intended for us to discriminate. Just look at how the Christians, Jews, and Muslims terrorize each other.

Answer 8

What do you recommend by ability of society? Do you recommend the beast as defined in Revelation? if so then we are to no longer stick to in that mold yet to stay anew in righteousness and actual holiness. in case you recommend are we stimulated by ability of the community wherein we are residing and relate, then for sure we are and there are some components which we conform to that are of God's ordering and a few that are adversarial to Him. If we are residing from God then that's He Who will build us to be the persons He needs. If we are residing from ourselves then we can little question be equipped into that which society approves and demands. look on the existence of Saul who grew to become Paul. He replaced into equipped into Saul by ability of the society wherein he lived yet God worked by using that so as that as quickly as he replaced into switched over he replaced into equipped into what God needed. he's desperate forth as an occasion to all who would have self assurance. Howbeit for this reason I gained mercy, that for the duration of me first Jesus Christ would shew forth all longsuffering, for a development to them which will desire to hereafter have self assurance on him to existence eternal.

Answer 9

One of the ten commandments says "Woman, thou shalt not be stronger than your average Asian kid".
So, yes, god does discriminate

Answer 10

Husbands Love your wives as
Christ loved the church

how is that discriminating?