Tag: Male-headship

Christian Patriarchy, Free Methodism, Gender Norms in Christian Co-Cultures1 Comment

Why Rhetoric Matters: The Power of Words to Liberate or Manipulate Gender Norms

freemethodistfeminist

It’s hard to explain to people who don’t study rhetoric why it’s important or for that matter what rhetoric is.  A basic definition is that rhetoric is the art of discourse. It is the study of speech. Words are powerful tools. They support ideology, stir passion and anger, and most importantly fuel action. We study the words of the present and the past to learn from our triumphs and our failures. A society that does not learn from its mistakes is a society that is guaranteed to continue repeating the same missteps. Perhaps this why I’ve turned much of my … Continue reading Why Rhetoric Matters: The Power of Words to Liberate or Manipulate Gender Norms

Christian Patriarchy, Courageous, the Movie8 Comments

The Kendrick Brothers Have Ties to Christian Patriarchy Organizations

freemethodistfeminist

While the message in the Kendrick’s films appear to fit mainstream, Christian culture, it is important to pay attention to who these filmmakers chose to associate with. After all, if you give them money for their product then you are validating their connections to Christian patriarchy organizations such as Vision Forum. It remains to be seen if Sherwood Pictures will submit Courageous for consideration at the 2011 San Antonio Christian Film Festival. However, it’s highly likely, since their last film Fireproof was screened at the film festival in 2009 and won the best feature award.  A quick glance at the … Continue reading The Kendrick Brothers Have Ties to Christian Patriarchy Organizations

Christian Patriarchy, Courageous, the Movie26 Comments

“Courageous” Subtly Promotes Male Headship and Racial Stereotypes

freemethodistfeminist

My ideological critique of “Courageous” is written from the perspective of a Christian feminist who fully supports the belief in Biblical gender equality. As Benjamin Titus Roberts, the founder of the Free Methodist Church, said in his book “Ordaining Women”: “The greatest domestic happiness always exists where husband and wife live together on terms of equality. Two men, having individual interests, united only by business ties, daily associate as partners for years, without either of them being in subjection to the other. They consider each other as equals; and treat each other as equals. Then, cannot a man and woman, … Continue reading “Courageous” Subtly Promotes Male Headship and Racial Stereotypes

Feminism and Christianity, Free Methodism, Gender Norms in Christian Co-Cultures2 Comments

What Makes a Free Methodist Feminist?

freemethodistfeminist

I’m re-posting this entry since I now have more readers than I did when I originally posted it. It’s my manifesto for what I believe and what I research. Occasionally I’m asked why I call myself a feminist. Now that my blog is getting a few readers I’m getting this question more often. The concept of a “Free Methodist Feminist” seems like an oxymoron. Yet, I stand by this term. I am a feminist.  While there are definitely some feminists who distance themselves from organized religion and view organized religion as just another way to enforce patriarchy, I don’t see … Continue reading What Makes a Free Methodist Feminist?

Feminism and Christianity, Gender Norms in Christian Co-Cultures4 Comments

Rally the Equality Troops: We have a Rhetorical Battle to Fight

freemethodistfeminist

“Gender equality is just twisting and re-interpreting thousands of years of God-defined gender roles because you don’t agree with them.”  I was recently told this by a good, God-fearing individual when my husband and I shared the Wesleyan tradition of gender equality. How do you deal with people who refuse to acknowledge that male-headship is not the only Biblical interpretation of gender roles? As an undergraduate I was very confrontational about my belief in gender equality. As editor of the university newspaper I got hate mail from other students on campus who didn’t appreciate my belief in equality or my … Continue reading Rally the Equality Troops: We have a Rhetorical Battle to Fight