Language is powerful, and so, when we find ourselves with enemies, we use their own language against them. Oppressive people do this to me often.They tell me I must tolerate their hateful, abusive religious beliefs.They tell me that speaking out against their slurs is taking away their free speech. They say I must coexist by remaining friends with people who actively work to take away the rights of my other friends.They call me a bad pacifist when I get angry (even if I do not act out in … [Read more...]
A new hope
November 20, 2012 by 9 Comments
Today, I checked my phone compulsively for tweets from Connor Park and Dianna Anderson, who were updating the Twitter world on the status of the Church of England's synod on whether or not to ordain women bishops. Today, I thought that there was no way women could lose this battle. No way.But I was wrong.Today, I sat in the student union, and a couple of men (who I can only describe as "dudebros") sat down near me. As I received the disappointing news via Twitter that the Church of England h … [Read more...]
In Praise of the Doubting Thomas–A Book Review
November 15, 2012 by 1 Comment
My friend Travis Mamone has a new ebook out. It's called In Praise of the Doubting Thomas, and I recommend it.It's short, and I finished it in under two hours, but it's also thought-provoking and affirming. Travis, in his honest, conversational writing style, tells the story of his faith journey--how he made peace with his doubts without giving up on his faith.Travis's faith journey reminds me of my own (and, indeed, since we've been reading each other's blogs for a few years now, our j … [Read more...]
“Progressive” Christianity and Premarital Sex
November 13, 2012 by 54 Comments
Almost exactly one year ago, I read an article on Relevant Magazine that made me realize that I had absolutely no personal convictions to remain abstinent.I had grown up in the dead-center of the purity movement. I'd worn the silver rings, made the pledges, condescended to the teenage mothers, read the Joshua Harris books, and all the other lovely rituals that seem to be involved in that movement. However, after an abusive partner coerced me into sex and eventually raped me, I had to let go of … [Read more...]
The founding fathers get a free pass. The feminists? Not so much.
November 3, 2012 by 4 Comments
It is more than acceptable in our society to quote one of the founding fathers to prove a point. I see liberals and conservatives do this alike, and, even though I rarely quote these men, I am not necessarily going to criticize those who do (so if you're going to skip straight to the comments and argue with me about why it's okay to quote the founding fathers, save it).But many of our founding fathers were racists and slave-owners. This is undeniable. We know this, yet we quote their words … [Read more...]
Amazing bell hooks quote of the day
October 29, 2012 by Leave a Comment
From bell hooks' book, All About Love: New Visions: Religious fundamentalism is often represented as authentic spiritual practice and given a level of mass media exposure that countercultural religious thought and practice never receive. Usually, fundamentalists, be they Christian, Muslim, or any faith, shape and interpret religious thought to make it conform to and legitimize a conservative status quo. Fundamentalist thinkers use religion to justify supporting imperialism, militarism, sexism, … [Read more...]
Love and the mystery of men and women
October 28, 2012 by 14 Comments
I've been reading bell hook's book All About Love: New Visions. In it, she stresses the importance of defining love so that we can't be controlled by abusive people who claim to love us. She borrows her definition of love from M. Scott Peck: "the will to extend one's self for the purpose of nurturing one's own or another's spiritual growth...Love is as love does. Love is an act of will--namely, both an intention and an action." hooks later discusses our culture's reluctance to define love: It i … [Read more...]
We have it “so good.”
October 23, 2012 by 19 Comments
What if I told you a story about a Muslim girl from the Middle East? She is dating a man. They're probably going to get married. She doesn't really want this to happen but she's afraid to leave him. Besides, she's given him her virginity (well, he took it, anyway) so she's now damaged goods. "No other man could ever want you," he tells her. Every day. And she believes him because her religious leaders have always taught her the same thing. He dictates what she wears. He tells her she must … [Read more...]
“You’re not like most women” is not a compliment!
October 15, 2012 by 18 Comments
Telling me that I'm not like most women--I'm more logical, rational, calm, unemotional, etc--is not a compliment.It's an insult to my gender and my sex. You're telling me my good qualities are an anomaly based on who I am. You're asking me to dismember myself. To separate my intelligence from the rest of me. From my gender identity and from my vagina. That my brain and my boobs and my femininity are a paradox.I see through you.I see through this not-so-subtle attack on other women. Women … [Read more...]
Feminism and abstinence
October 13, 2012 by 19 Comments
bell hooks states in her book Feminist Theory, From Margin to Center: One aspect of sexual norms that many people find oppressive is the assumption that one "should" be engaged in sexual activity. This "should" is one expression of sexual coercion...When...emphasis is placed on ending sexual oppression...it is possible to envision a society in which it is as much of an expression of sexual freedom to choose not to participate in sexual activity as it is to choose to participate. Having grown up … [Read more...]
Follow Sarah Over the Moon!