Why Being a Christian Feminist Isn't a Contradiction in Terms

A lot of Christians will complain that feminism has brought society down, and a few would even go so far as to claim that feminism is directly responsible for the high divorce rate and other things that are regarded as signs the world is coming to an end. They would say that all feminists are out to get the women in the workforce and that they would completely replace men if at all possible. Some feminists would likely argue that Christians are a bunch of Bible-thumping traditionalists intent on keeping women barefoot and pregnant. And, of course, they would be be right and wrong in pretty much equal measure.

In my own opinion, a Christian is someone who follows the teachings of Christ. The rest of it, including how you structure your marriage, and how you decide to structure your church, can be defined as details. Important details, but part of our interesting differences, rather than the divisive force we often allow them to become.

Feminists are people who believe that women should have the freedom and access to information necessary to make the best decision possible for their lives. They would probably also argue that a woman ought to be completely free to determine how best to use her talents and spend her life. There is nothing in either Christianity or feminism that would make the other anathema, whatever the critics might say. In fact, I would argue that Christians ought to be feminists, at least under that particular definition.

In my experience, feminists are not man-haters--at least, not all of them are. Feminists merely want for women what men have had for centuries, or possibly millennia. Although there are those who would say that we're past that now, that women do have all the opportunities and advantages that men do, but that's simply not true. We've seen this most poignantly with Hillary's race for the Democratic nomination. Whatever you think about Hillary Clinton and her policies, I think most would agree that the treatment she's received in the press has revealed underlying misogynisitic tendencies still present in the American culture. (And if you don't agree with that, I encourage you to think very hard about the focus on Hillary's appearance, the critique of her tears, and the slams by her opponents, not to mention the use of the word "bitch" by various pundits. No one would dare to use a racial epithet for Obama; it would be beyond the pale, and I pray that we see the day when the same is true of a female candidate.)

The fact is that we have not yet reached the place where we can do away with feminism. Just look at the raid that occurred in Texas last week on the FLDS compound. The truth is that the authorities have known about the practice of marrying young girls off to old men, as well as the polygamy (which is illegal in the U.S.), the domestic violence, and the sexual abuse, for years. That sort of cult wouldn't even be possible if it weren't for the idea that women are mere chattel, to do with as a man chooses. And before you say it, the fact that Warren Jeffs views all of his followers as pawns does not make it better; in fact, it makes it worse.

Some might say that the activities of a small group of people, some of whom are obviously insane (Warren Jeffs being one of them) mean nothing at all in the larger society, so let me give you an example from my own circle. One of my co-workers, a woman and competent student and law clerk, is in a class that involves a trial simulation for the final exam. One of her opposing counsel, a fellow student, called her a bitch when she wouldn't accede to his demands, and this was not the first time he'd done it. When others hear about that sort of thing, their response is usually limited to, "Oh, that's just [name]. He's a jackass." While that is entirely true, it doesn't change the fact that his behavior is beyond the pale, or should be, and that his fellow students should react with a universal, "We won't put up with that sort of behavior, and if you keep it up, we won't associate with you." Unfortunately, violence against women, including verbal violence, is still tolerated. You see it in statements like that, as well as in the fact that domestic assaults are almost always assessed a lesser penalty than other batteries.

Feminists look at such goings on and point to a history of violence against women, and a tendency to buy and sell women as though they were owned by men. A feminist such as myself looks at the teachings of Christ, and his treatment of women (altogether revolutionary for his time), and views those sorts of activities not just as contrary to the dignity due to humans in general, but contrary to the respect we are commanded to show to our neighbors as Christians. The fact is that feminism as I have seen it defined, and as I have defined it here, is actually complementary to Christian teachings. Ideally, every human being, as a creation of God, would have the opportunity to reach his or her potential and to make an informed decision about how best to use their talents.

That is to say, if a woman freely chooses to stay home with her children, because that is the best decision for her and her family, any feminist should heartily applaud it. And if a woman freely chooses to use her God-given talents as I have, in pursuit of an education and career, then once again, more power to her. And, while I am in favor of ordination of women, I do believe that church structure ought to be a separate issue, one where each denomination makes the decision for itself. While I might not agree with that particular decision, I think that most Christians would agree that it is an issue of doctrine that is not determinative of whether or not someone can be called a Christian.

I want to be clear that I don't hate men. I like them very much, in fact, and I've known some wonderful men who react with the same sort of emotion that I have when they see these sorts of things, even though they would never call themselves feminists. The truth is that the label "feminist" has gained a bad reputation here in the U.S., rightly or wrongly, but the reality is that every person should be free to make a decision about whether or not they will seek higher education, marriage, children, a career, etc. Every person ought to have the freedom necessary to make an informed decision as to where their talents will best be put to use, and whether it is racism, poverty, or sexism that holds someone back, it's just plain wrong. As a Christian, I feel that it's my obligation to call it like I see it, and to fight against those barriers in every form. As a follower of Christ Jesus, I feel that every person is due the respect and dignity belonging to a creation of God.

I'm not saying that there aren't consequences to every decision, because there are. The woman or man who chooses to stay home and raise children will be able to experience milestones that the man or woman who works will not, just as the opposite is true. Whether a person is deciding what to to with their body, who to love, or what major to choose in college, there are always consequences to that decision. But each person has the responsibility to face those consequences and to live with them. It's just a part of being human. I also don't think that you can say that there's one right way to live your life as a woman, or to live your life as a man. What fulfills one person may be completely hellish for another, but that's for the individual to determine. I feel very strongly that each person is responsible for themselves, and to their fellow humans, and that dictating how someone is to live is wrong, even if you do have the best of intentions. Personally, I think that view is entirely biblical.

And that is why I am a Christian feminist.