Earlier this week, Christian author Sarah Bessey began tweeting things people in church tell women — and only women — and many others began sharing their own experiences. You can see their thoughts under the hashtag #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear.
It’s a disturbing account of how evangelical Christianity sees women. They’re not considered leaders, but background broodmares who are only as good as the husbands they support, the children they pop out, and the words they don’t say.
"You are an amazing leader! You'd make an excellent pastor's wife someday!" #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear
— Sarah Bessey (@sarahbessey) April 19, 2017
Don't wear necklaces that point to your cleavage. #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear
R men going 2 stop wearing ties? They point suggestively…— Geri Boutwell (@geri_boutwell) April 21, 2017
"You're a Christian feminist? Good luck finding a husband!" *cackles*#ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear
— Hannah Menendez (@hannendez) April 19, 2017
You're equal to men in value; you just have a different role. God made you to submit to man's final authority#ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear
— Jory Micah (@jorymicah) April 19, 2017
You wouldn't have to have labor pains if Eve didn't cause Adam to sin. #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear
— Sara Marietta (@RaptorHunter1) April 20, 2017
Your ministry is raising Godly children #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear
— Janene Putman (@jdixie0105) April 20, 2017
Want to come to my Bible Study? We are learning how to be gentle submissive women. #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear
— Kait Marie (@kmveronie) April 20, 2017
"We can't have women on our pastoral team because we follow the Billy Graham Rule." #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear
— Sarah Bessey (@sarahbessey) April 19, 2017
You're too pretty to be a minister. #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear
— Hannah Sutton (@SuttonHannahL) April 20, 2017
Aren't you worried that college will distract you from your faith? #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear
— Jess (@words_by_jess) April 20, 2017
"Godly women shouldn't discuss politics." #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear
— Ranjani Groth (@ranjanigroth) April 20, 2017
"I can't wait for you to have kids, then you'll have to give up on all of this liberal feminist nonsense." #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear
— Hannah Koerner (@hannelko) April 19, 2017
"Maybe people will listen to you if you stop sounding so angry." #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear
— Sarahbeth Caplin (@SbethCaplin) April 19, 2017
"You're going to be a pastor? You're single? Well no one will ever marry you. Get used to being alone." #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear
— Katrina (@brgmnk) April 19, 2017
@sarahbessey Just be careful not to outearn your husband. He needs to lead. #thingsonlychristianwomenhear
— Hallie Graves (@HallieEGraves) April 19, 2017
"You're in seminary? Do you want to be a missionary's/pastor's wife?" #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear
— Katrina (@brgmnk) April 19, 2017
It’s tempting to say to these women, “Just leave the church!” But it’s not that simple. They believe in the divinity of Jesus and want to spread the gospel just like everyone else in their religion. The problem is with the men in leadership positions (and women who accept those principles of complementarianism). Unless they’re willing to set better examples and stop this behavior in their own churches, nothing will change. Kudos to the progressive Christian leaders, men and women, who continue putting pressure on everyone else in their religion.
By the way, I’m not posting this so atheists can feel superior to Christians. It’s not like we’re so much better than this. While we may not have the same problems they do, we’re not immune from making similar mistakes. Ask women who regularly attend atheist conferences/Meetups, post their thoughts online, or make videos on YouTube, and you’re likely to hear the same kind of common disturbing themes emerging. (Hell, to any women reading this, go ahead and post #ThingsOnlyAtheistWomenHear in the comments.)
As much as we’d love to pin this problem solely on religion, it’s a societal problem, too. That said, no doubt a lot of religious men love that they can point to scripture to justify their misogynistic behavior.
(via Huffington Post)
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