Women fought for equality. They demanded suffrage. They demanded fairness. They demanded respect. But, does the ERA promote any of these rights? In today's society, women have achieved basic equality; of course, prejudices and sexism will continue to arise as we live in a malicious world. However, woman have already been granted the same privileges and rights as men. The ERA simply attempts to condemn the lifestyle of traditional families and destroy the distinction between man and woman. In order to respond to the question of Feminism and the ERA, Christians must look to the definition of gender in the Bible and respond accordingly.
God created male and female equal. He offered no superiority to gender and declared His image manifest in each person. To be sure, today's society would not view God's actions as equal, but God did not create one gender; he created two, distinct genders. As such, male and female are designated different roles and tasks within the world. Males are set up as the head of the family, the provider, the warrior, and the protector. On the other hand, women are made to give birth, to nurture, to uplift, and to help. These qualities, although seeming confining and discriminatory, actually define the best characteristics of each gender. God's calling for our lives are not regulated to the spheres of 'homemaker' and 'worker', instead these roles normally apply to the attributes of male and female. I fully believe in women's ability to work and possess a career. But, I also recognize God's command for women to submit to her husbands and respect their authority. Relationships are built upon compromises; my aforementioned statement does not imply my belief that women are not incapable of intelligence, strength, and fortitude, merely that God intended the man to lead the female. Certainly, the woman aides the man in this role and provides encouragement and compassion throughout trials. The dynamic between husband and wife requires courtesy and understanding in all actions and decisions. God did not create genders in order to punish or subvert woman; He intended to portray the beautiful relationship and union of man and wife. This gift would be casually dismissed according to today's standards.
Instead, Christians must be ready to respond to the dilemma of feminist activist with courage and educated, respectful opinions. The ultimate goal of feminism is the equal treatment of woman- something the Church should also be striving toward. In focusing on this particular element, the Church and Feminists would be able to foster a relationship based on fair treatment and justice. By stressing the difference of men and women and not the superiority of men over woman, the Church can spread its lights much further and wider. Presenting the Feminist movement with female figures such as Ruth, Esther, Mary Magadelne would allow the Church to show a their vision of womanhood and the strength God gave to woman. Even more so, the Church needs to explain their belief in the different roles of man and woman. In a positive, open-minded discussion, Feminists and the Church can begin formulate solutions based upon a revived vision.
The ERA is unsuccessful because it condemns the role of woman as mothers and caretakers and attempts to place them in the front lines of combat. By demanding complete and total equal treatment between man and woman, the ERA defies the natural differences in temperament and physical characteristics. It attempts to deny maternity leave to expecting mothers and would promote same sex bathrooms and prisons. Not only does this legislation denounce privacy, but it reveals society to be blind to the natural contrasts between man and woman. Obviously, bathrooms should be separated by sex because of modesty and respect for each gender. In attempting to improve equality among men and women, the ERA instead prompts inequality. Women deserve maternity leave to care for their children and the opportunity to remain at home, instead of fighting in the workplace or the war. Radical Feminists celebrate rampant and casual sex- ultimately destroying the beauty of virginity and the blessings of strong relationships. It is short sighted and intolerant. The ERA merely serves as legislation to condemn the traditional home and foster extreme ignorance and foolishness within the workplace.
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