Amanda

@Kay (27): I’m Reformed (Presbyterian) and REFUSE to attend women’s Bible studies and/or read any sort of Christian books geared for women. Besides being total fluff and theology lite (the very accusations many Reformed folk lob at others!), those views of women come through loud and clear. *sigh*

@Kristen: I love Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Ironically, I, too, had thought of that after I had posted my earlier comment, and while I’m still cautious (that is my nature), I think you (and MLK) may well be right.

While I agree 100% with the contents of the letter (I personally am still dealing with the damage caused by such teaching), based on CBMW’s general approach to those who dare to disagree with them I have the feeling that they either will ignore it completely or turn it into an opportunity to turn the guns on those “evil feminists.”

As to single women being invisible in comp churches, that has definitely been my experience. Most Sundays I feel as if I’m wearing an invisibility cloak and this morning the sermon was on our mission being having children and the importance of gender. I’m not at all anti-family and as a Presbyterian I accept that God often does work through families. However, I am *very* tired of the over-emphasis on the family to the exclusion of everyone who, for whatever reason, doesn’t fit that mold.

…or if her father and other male relatives are unbelievers or not the “right kind” of believers.

@Kay (#19): some would say that an unmarried woman’s pastors/elders should fulfill that function for her. On what basis they say that is beyond me, but I’ve heard that said by a number of people I know.

My previous church (definitely more towards the patriarchal end of the scale) did not allow women to teach other women; the women’s Bible studies were always taught by a male elder. Paradoxically, that church had no problem with women teaching children, who would definitely be more susceptible to any false teaching.

The (perhaps unintended) consequence of that is that, even now, I struggle with seeing myself gifted by God *at all.* When I was interviewed by the elders for membership at my current (complementarian) church I was asked how I thought I could use my gifts in the church. I was totally unable to answer the question and stammered out that I didn’t know where I was gifted.