Church not speaking up for women

[UCSBLiberalCat53]

Church not speaking up for women
June 24, 2005

BY ANDREW GREELEY

Why are there no Catholic sermons, no pastoral letters, no statements from the national hierarchy, no papal encyclicals about the abuse of women? Judging from the almost universal silence of Catholic clergy and hierarchy, there must be no serious sins of abuse of women. The clergy and hierarchy denounce serious sins, right?

The basic premise must be that women are fundamentally equal to men, different perhaps in some ways, but equally human and equally endowed with all the same inalienable rights, as Mr. Jefferson said, with which men are endowed. "Neither Jew nor gentile, neither Greek nor Roman, neither male nor female, but all one in Christ Jesus," as St. Paul said.

Therefore women are not slaves of men, sexual playthings to be used and discarded, unpaid servants to do the work beneath a man's dignity, chattel with no rights who exist at the pleasure of men. Most women for most of human history have been doomed to this subhuman status. In most places in the world today they still are. Do clergy and hierarchy approve of this principled denial of human dignity? If they do not, why are they silent?

Rape is a grievous sin, even spousal rape, especially spousal rape. Date rape is a mortal sin. Physical abuse of a spouse is a grievous sin. So is habitual verbal abuse. Incestuous abuse of daughters, sisters and nieces is a mortal sin. Sexual harassment in the workplace or anywhere else is a mortal sin. Vile sexual "locker room" conversation that demeans women is a serious sin. Job discrimination against women is a grave sin. Contempt for women is a serious sin. Treatment of women like they are sex objects is a serious sin. Sexual exploitation of women is a mortal sin. So too is the practice of the rich and famous of replacing a loyal, faithful wife with a new "trophy wife."

Read the rest here

[Warpy]

1. They'll have to discard that old canard, the "occasion of sin."

You see, if a woman has breasts, wears short sleeves in summer, wants to go out alone, speaks her mind, she becomes an occasion of sin for that poor fragile, blameless male. It's all her fault.

THAT is why you're not going to hear those celibate old farts give the abuse of women and girl children any attention. They have spent their lives struggling with celibacy, and it's all our fault when those unpriestly thoughts cross their minds.

No wonder I left.

[UCSBLiberalCat53]

7. UGH

I'm tired of priests blaming women for rape as if it was their fault they got attacked. I mean we all know it must have been something they wore. :sarcasm:

[Demeter]

2. What? We Vessels of Sin And Corruption?

The good Father taking a second to consider the lives of 51+% of the world, the part that holds it together and keeps it running in spite of the church? I am touched by the charity!

[kiraboo]

5. And not only that...

if women didn't attend church, the pews would be 75% empty!

[oneold1-4u]

3. Consider this universal

Therefore women are slaves of men, sexual playthings to be used and discarded, unpaid servants to do the work beneath a man's dignity, chattel with no rights, who exist at and for any pleasure of men. Most women for most of human history have been and doomed to this subhuman status. In most places in the world today they still are, including the great modern US of America. All clergy and hierarchy of every faith or religion approve of this principled denial of human dignity for women! It is not just religion but also policy and political stance and throughout history women have become so acclimated to this ugly lower grade of humanity that still today it is allowed and perpetrated by women themselves!
In Afghanistan, where the US said they would restore more womens rights, they LIED! Today women there have been forced to stop working at any type of job but the very lowest.(camel dung care) Teachers, Dentists, Medical techs, Scientists, All, have had to return to the lowest grade of humanity. That is lower than a camel or a dog, and worse if beyond child bearing!

[oneold1-4u]

4. And in after thought

What kind of man can act or pretend that some GOD of any kind leads him and allows him to leave women in this "catacombs" every where he goes! Our "good, kind," Sec. of State ought to get out the ambition and honest veracity to become the leader she has the chance to be! Women without "guts" shouldn't be in high office just for "male chauvinistic window dressing!

[AX10]

6. The church has many issues to deal with.

Until they resolve those problems I don't care about their opinion.

[cap]

8. the church can start to return to its liberal roots.

eom