tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428685.post114859978798775857..comments2023-09-19T07:50:13.308-07:00Comments on Feminary: StoriesStasihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10864458542635159512noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428685.post-1148964650636350682006-05-29T21:50:00.000-07:002006-05-29T21:50:00.000-07:00Feminarian:In his recent post Figleaf had linked t...Feminarian:<BR/><BR/>In his recent post Figleaf had linked to your story about your rector, Carol Anderson, and the confrontation she had while administering the Eucharist. I think I will remember the "I can't, I'm busy" response for a long, long time, not only because it was witty, but so free of venom.<BR/><BR/>While my comment to Figleaf's thoughtful post is secular, I was raised as a Roman Catholic and was forced to look at the clash of beliefs that resulted from the need for sexual equality in the workplace and the sexual exclusivity of the church. My comment does not reconcile the two, but it was my way of explaining why these two concepts are at odds in our culture.<BR/><BR/>I had the good fortune of pursuing a Master of Liberal Studies degree at a college where many of the faculty were theologians, nuns and priests, many of whom had left the clergy. The time I spent in their company and classrooms made a tremendous difference in my ability to understand these conflicting ideas and beliefs. <BR/><BR/>The relevant portion of my comment is presented below:<BR/><BR/><I>Both Roman Catholicism and certain Protestant sects do believe that the respective roles of men and women were preordained by God to provide the best means of creating and sustaining life here on earth. To depart from the accepted beliefs of how God took on human form, and the proper duties to family, society and church of men and women is willfully playing with a divine order created for our benefit. While I do not share these beliefs, I am trying to write about them as respectfully as I can, which is what we should do when speaking of the beliefs of others.<BR/><BR/>The whole idea of pre-ordained roles of men and women do not allow for women to administer sacraments. That's as dangerous as assuming that Jesus Christ enagaged in sexual intercourse [as portrayed in the DaVinci code], because it undermines His authority as God. However, these beliefs currently exist in a culture that is a democratic republic (we hope), and, as such, is based on individual freeedon and rights, which were not even considered important at the time of Christ, or even before the eighteenth century.<BR/><BR/>We are accustomed to studying comparative religions in our universities and even in theological seminaries. Centuries ago, this would have resulted in charges of heresy. There is nothing democratic about Roman Catholicism, or about the beliefs held by Fundamentalists sects in this country. And like two tectonic plates moving in opposite directions, these differing views of individual freedom and divine authority send tremors throughout our culture.</I><BR/><BR/>My best wishes to you in pursuing a vocation, which will not be an easy one to fulfill, but can make a big difference in the lives of others.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428685.post-1148610322945740632006-05-25T19:25:00.000-07:002006-05-25T19:25:00.000-07:00I'm glad your father is doing better. And, despit...I'm glad your father is doing better. And, despite your previous post, I find it hard to believe your statement, "It doesn't sound too serious." When it's your flesh and blood it's serious, whether the doctors make much of it or not. I've worked in hospitals virtually all my career, and I know too much - and when it's me and mine it's still frightening.<BR/><BR/>Well, hang in. He's been prayed for.Marshall Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02807749717320495495noreply@blogger.com