My Thoughts on Feminism

I meet with a group of young women once a week or so. We hang out, watch movies, talk and eat a LOT of food. I usually show up early to help with preparing the food. Yesterday’s visit was a bit different. I showed up at my normal early time and found out someone decided that we would order a pizza. So, with nothing to prepare I got out my paper and started working on some writing. The girl who was hosting the event (let’s call her Sarah) asked what I was working on. I told her about this blog and showed her the notes I was working on. Sarah had a lot of questions. This group of young women is comprised of young professionals and graduate students, all of whom credit their success to the work of feminism. Many of her questions have been asked by other people via email in the past. I am going to use today’s post to answer the most common questions I get asked about my thoughts on Feminism.

  

So why did I title my blog The Forgiven Former Feminist? 

Because I am a former feminist and I have been forgiven for my sins. My blog title gets a lot of questions; it is a great conversation starter.

Why am I against feminism?

Let me say that I am not against it, but rather I am pro-biblical womanhood. If feminism were simply a matter of women's suffrage then yes, I would be a feminist. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines feminism as the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes or the organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests. It is the “organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests” portion that I have an issue with. The original idea behind “feminism” was to achieve equal pay for equal work and to gain the right to vote. The 19^th amendment passed by Congress June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920, guarantees American women the right to vote. The Equal Pay Act of 1963 guarantees equal pay for equal work.

So we have equal pay and we have the right to vote… then things started to change. Over time feminism has picked up other issues that I do not agree with. Women’s Rights means a lot more now than just equal pay and voting. Now “Women’s Rights” encompasses gay-rights, abortion, and gender inequality issues. Upon searching my Bible and talking with my advisers and team members I realized that I cannot be a “feminist”.

Do you think men are more important that women in the Christian faith?

No. Men are not more important than women. It also must be said that women are not more important that men. We are all children of God.

I do believe that men and women are inherently different. My feminist friends really don’t like it when I say that, but it is true. Men and women are not the same. We were designed for different functions were designed to glorify the kingdom of God in different ways; that's not to say that one is inferior to the other. It is simply fact.

Feminism teaches that Christianity punishes women for the fall of man by making us less than men. God is not punishing women for the fall of men by making us to be helpmeets. God gave Eve to Adam as a helpmeet before the fall. From the beginning (before sin ever came into the picture!) woman was designed to walk beside man.

You write a lot about being a homemaker; don’t you have any bigger dreams?

I have had several very devout feminist friends tell me that I am throwing away everything I have worked for by wanting to work for my (eventual) family rather than outside the home. My response is that if feminism is truly about empowering women to decide for themselves, shouldn’t I be allowed to decide to be a homemaker?

I do write about being a homemaker, because I believe that is what God made me to do. Yes, right now I am unmarried, but that doesn’t make me any less of a homemaker. I manage my home now just like I will if I am married. I love to learn. Being a homemaker is not synonymous with being uneducated or lacking in ambition. I have huge dreams shaped with a biblical worldview focused on making disciples for the kingdom of God.

I think for now this is where I will end this post. As I write more on the subject I will link back to this post. You can also check out the Feminism 101 tab at the top of the page.