When I began to work out my understanding of ranking I concluded that many conservative churches were preaching hierarchy (with their men on top) rather than preaching love. My opinion was based on their awful treatment of women and LGBT people (who subvert the hierarchy). They are great supporters of the patriarchy.
I had also come to understand they support the nasty guy because he also is a strong supporter of the patriarchy. This seems backwards because the nasty guy, with his multiple marriages while constantly cheating of his wives, appears to flout the morality and family values the church people claim to prize.
Daily Kos member Dartagnan quotes and comments on an op-ed in the Cleveland Plain Dealer by Rodney Hessinger, history professor, and Kristen Tobey, professor of religion and social science at John Carroll University. They all agree with me.
The professors note that Southern antebellum families were big on authoritarianism, which showed in their slave ownership. So to win over these men evangelicals emphasized the patriarchy in their message. They became a predominant religion in America.
Dartagnan notes the evangelicals push the perception they are “‘outcasts’ standing bravely against the evil forces of the world.” It creates “a group persecution complex that solidifies their community.”
In the nasty guy they see common cause – he is also an “outcast” and his abusive attitudes towards women match the patriarchy of the church.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment