gengwall

Mark – I like your example because it is simple and common. But it does not prove any of your points.

For one, your wife’s submission to you in this particular example does not establish in any way that you are in authority over her. Or are you saying that she also needs to get your permission to leave the dinner table? The only thing your example establishes is that your wife and you have mutual authority over your household. Or are you saying that you would not return the respectful gesture if your kids asked you first? Your example certainly does not establish you are the unilateral leave-the-table decision maker, for if you were, what would your wife do if you were out of town – call you to see if the children can leave the table? That would be absurd.

So, there is nothing authoritarian in your example at all (or even hierarchical). It is just an example of respectful behavior between parents. Admirable? Yes. An example of comp theology put into practice? Hardly.