Comments on: “True Woman” ?

By: Euodia

Euodia — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:47:00 +0000

Part one of “True Woman Manifesto: A Response” is up at HEvencense. Here’s the link: http://hevencense.wordpress.com/2009/01/01/true-woman-a-response/

By: Christine

Christine — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 16:56:00 +0000

Where is the True Man Manifesto? How come none of this stuff is written for men?

By: Euodia

Euodia — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 01:18:00 +0000

kat007:

I heard via the blogger “grapevine” that http:///HEvencense.wordpress.com is planning to post a pretty detailed response to this manifesto around the new year.

By: Tami Martin

Tami Martin — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:32:00 +0000

You know, not just the leadership issue was troublesome.

The point about recognizing children as a gift from God to be received without question seems like it should be a "duh" moment, but I wonder about the motive behind it.

I applaud those folks who have lots of kids. I wish I could have been one of them. But I don't agree that God made us to be brood mares having a child every year until menopause. I don't believe that I have any right to impose my beliefs on how many children I should have on someone else.

By: kat007

kat007 — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:00:00 +0000

I’m a regular lurker and enjoy reading posts and comments. Can someone explain the perceived need for such a document? And to what end? It seems to simply further delineate a “who’s in, who’s out” mentality.

Not to be strident here, but as I read this manifesto I couldn’t help thinking of the phrase on the side of police cars “to serve and to protect.” Women are apparently called by God to serve men and protect an outmoded and dangerously naive definition of “womanhood.”

By the way, WHO gets to decide what femininity looks like, I wonder?

By: The Column

The Column — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 03:26:00 +0000

I am always troubled by these doctrinal statements that require acceptance of every single point, without questioning. I am especially troubled by the assumption of male leadership of the church. Does that included Sunday School Superintendent? VBS chairperson? The nursery? The kitchen? Or does that mean only the leadership that actually is involved in decision-making? I think taking Paul’s preference that women not exert authority over men has been taken to an extreme for 2,000 years, and Melissa, I agree with you on the issue of Deborah, and would add Huldah the prophetess, Esther, Lydia, and Priscilla — along with the fearless women disciples who stood by Jesus even in death. All of these precious, faithful women who one never hears preached about from the pulpit …

By: Melissa

Melissa — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 21:04:00 +0000

Seeing that I’m a pastor…apparently I’m not a true woman…

…though do they take into account figures like Deborah in Judges?

By: Miz Melly

Miz Melly — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:42:00 +0000

Phew, nice to know I’m not alone. I winced when I read it and felt unspeakably sad that while I can hold many of the statements in my heart, to be told I am not a ‘true woman’ if I don’t hold to all the tenets of the manifesto is so hateful. It’s misogyny disguised. I would love to hear how it came about. I can’t tell you how sad I feel….

By: Julie Clawson

Julie Clawson — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:38:00 +0000

Wow, it’s insulting to read stuff like that. I guess I’m not a real woman or biblical if I don’t sign on their dotted line. Manipulative techniques like this are what keep women oppressed.

By: Tami Martin

Tami Martin — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:28:00 +0000

I've read the TWM and while there are some obvious ways that I am, indeed, a real woman, I am not bound by this group's definition.

I believe with my whole heart that I am called to submit to my husband...as I am called to submit to every believer, as he is called to submit to me out of our love for Christ.

But I am so very thankful that my whole existence is not bound up in my relationship to any other human being.