This list has been circulating for several decades now. On the first read, it does make one chuckle. But then after a couple more reads one sees the several of the arguments that prevent women from exercising fully their gifts in some denominations, including the RPCNA.
Top Ten Reasons Why Men Should Not Be Ordained
10. A man's place is in the army.
9. For men who have children, their duties might distract them from the responsibilities of being a parent.
8. Their physical build indicates that men are more suited to tasks such as chopping down trees and wrestling mountain lions. It would be "unnatural" for them to do other forms of work.
7. Man was created before woman. It is therefore obvious that man was a prototype. Thus, they represent an experiment, rather than the crowning achievement of creation.
6. Men are too emotional to be priests or pastors. This is easily demonstrated by their conduct at football games and watching basketball tournaments.
5. Some men are handsome; they will distract women worshipers.
4. To be ordained pastor is to nurture the congregation. But this is not a traditional male role. Rather, throughout history, women have been considered to be not only more skilled than men at nurturing, but also more frequently attracted to it. This makes them the obvious choice for ordination.
3. Men are overly prone to violence. No really manly man wants to settle disputes by any means other than by fighting about it. Thus, they would be poor role models, as well as being dangerously unstable in positions of leadership.
2. Men can still be involved in church activities, even without being ordained. They can sweep paths, repair the church roof, and maybe even lead the singing on Father's Day. By confining themselves to such traditional male roles, they can still be vitally important in the life of the Church.
1. In the New Testament account, the person who betrayed Jesus was a man. Thus, his lack of faith and ensuing punishment stands as a symbol of the subordinated position that all men should take.
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Good one!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a woman is having a hissy-fit and has become even more irrational.
ReplyDeleteYes, I can imagine how this list might sound to someone who, like you, takes an essentialist view of gender, i.e. men are men, women are women, each distinguished by characteristics the other does not possess. So by your saying, "beome even more irrational" I assume you mean women are by nature irrational?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, to women who have been discriminated against because of an essentialist view of gender, a view reflected in complementarianism, the list reflects arguments employed to tell women to keep out.
1. Women have been told their place is in the family, not anywhere else.
2. Women, if they have children, are told their first responsibility is to be a parent. Many times men do not receive the same message. More accomodation is accorded them because of 'working outside the home.'
3. Women are told that their very anatomy determines their destiny--you can bear children, ergo that must be your paramount role.
4. As for the order of creation, I always want to ask which account of creation--Gen. 1 or Gen. 2-3?
5. Women are told they are too emotional to have certain roles in society, e.g., president. Men are never told that because they are too violent they shouldn't be president because then might lead us into unnecessary wars.
6. Women are told they are nurturers over and over again, but are limited oftentimes to taking care of children, either as mothers or teachers. Being pastoral, a nurturing role, is off limits.
7. Women, as your statement, seems to reflect are told they are the irrational gender despite men being the ones who have led nations, peoples into wars down through the centuries.
8. Complementarians tell women that even though women have different roles in the church those are roles are still important. "By confining themselves to such [female] roles, they can still be vitally important in the life of the Church." This, of course, is never reflected in the pay.
9. And last, women have been told over and over that because Jesus only had male disciples that therefore they cannot be leaders in the church. So why not note the gender of Judas and infer some lesson from that which should dominate down through the ages?
So if you have not been discriminated against, yes, I can understand how this list may sound like a 'hissy-fit.'
wow! what a remarkable break down. hardly irrational. It is very thought out, accurate, and clear strikes a nerve. Well said!
ReplyDeleteSo interesting and helpful. I am bringing this to church with me every Sunday!
ReplyDeleteB. Banner, I love you. I am 38 and still recovering from a childhoold in the RPCNA. Hold your head up high and don't let your ears even hear the evil-speak of RPCNA'ers.
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