A note about religion

This is my blog, so I'd like to have the last word on this, and then we can drop it. If you don't agree with me, you're welcome to state that, but please don't lecture me or write more than a few sentences.

I realize that people have very different views on religion, very different beliefs, and very different ways of interpreting scripture. Although I firmly believe that everyone is entitled to, and should, have these differing opinions, there are still those viewpoints that make me feel ill/raise my bloodpressure when I hear of them. I know that all of us have studied scripture, deeply reflected on our own beliefs, and possibly studied other religions around the world, and that years of contemplation have gone into what we each believe and our individual relationships with God.

Beginning with Genesis, I believe in the text that tells about God creating men and women at the same time. Yes there are differences in the sexes, and yes, we each have our strengths to add, but I believe that we should all be viewed as equal beings on earth. Not holding men and women as equals only gives society as a whole excuses to pay women less or hold them to lesser positions - the glass ceiling if you will.

From a marriage standpoint, you can argue that divorce was never as common as it is today, but that does not account for the fact that divorce used to be illegal. How many women and years past were trapped in relationships in which they were abused, relationships that they are now free to walk away from? Sure, people are married in the eyes of God, and therefore should not be released until one member or the other dies, but does that mean that a woman who is being beaten should stick with her husband? And yes, you can argue that the man is being weak and needs his wife's support, but in all reality a woman can do only so much to support her husband - he must take steps to change and must make that decision on his own.

From a life standpoint, if women are always being thrown into submissive/non-leadership roles, not only is that doing a disservice to women for reasons not limited to their voices being silenced and their income essentially being capped, it is doing a disservice to the entire world because it amounts to half of what God has put out there (the viewpoints, experiences, and creativity of the women God has created) is being ignored. For those people who argue that God didn't intend for women to be the head honcho - even if God intended that men be the decision makers but still listen to women and take into account their opinions (for I have a hard time believing that God didn't want women to have a voice at all) thousands of years of history can attest to the fact this simply doesn't work.

I think that's probably enough of a dissertation for right now, plus I really need to get back to work, but I feel the need to say something. For those of you who have made comments that I disagree with, I know that your beliefs are a result of your upbringing as well as years of study, faith-searching, and prayer, but please know that mine are, too. We come from different faith backgrounds and would be wrong not to challenge each other in an attempt to broaden each others' views, but I think that it's gotten to the point for me that I just want to agree to disagree and then not talk about it anymore because it keeps making me upset and uncomfortable to talk about it.

That's all - have a great weekend all.