Cheryl Schatz

Arlene,

Welcome to my blog!  I loved your comments.  You said:

Second while a woman is different and being female is a part of my identity, it is not all of my identity.  I am a mother,  but also a teacher, athelete, scandinavian, passionate Christian.  Being female is part but not all of who I am and it does not define everything about me.

This is very true.  I too am a very passionate person.  Passion is not a male or female characteristic – it is a human characteristic.

Third, the difference argument is often used to justify strict roles.  Much like a similar difference argument was used to justify slavery.
It comes from the same foul source.

If one does research on the reasons that were given for slavery, one would come away amazed to hear the same arguments that are used today regarding gender.  I also believe the source is the same.

Fourth, I do not see scripture dividing the attributes of the Trinity when he created the man and woman.  We are made in God’s image.

This is also an excellent point.  Perhaps this might be a good time to ask, in whose image are men made in?  Are they made in the Father’s image or the Son’s image?  Whose image are women made in?  The fact is that we are made in God’s image.  There is only one image for God and not a divided image.   Those who try to divide God’s image for one way for men and one way for men are doing an injustice to the one God who made us.

They use a limiting hermeneutic on women and a broad one for men.

Good thoughts!  You have clearly shown us the prevailing pattern of the prejudice.  The really troubling thing here is that in our culture even women have become prejudiced against other women.  I find this very disconcerting.  In fact I have seen more anger and abusive talk with some women then from some men.

Then I have to look at my own heart.  Have I been prejudiced against women?  I think I was programmed to be prejudiced too for a long time.  It is difficult to get it out of one’s head.

Anyone else experience prejudice against women from other women?