noah

I would like to say a few things about the implications, the hidden meaning, if you will, of the Virgin Birth, for women. The Virgin Birth holds within it an insidious underlying assumption about women, more specifically, their sexuality. I believe it is time we put our foot down, as men especially, and take Christians to task for this belief, this requirement,of birth by a virgin. That their saviour (and other saviours for that matter) can only be born to a virgin implies second class status for women who are not virgins, (an issue, which,I believe is no one's business but the woman's in the first place).It suggests, for example, that mothers are somehow inferior to woman who have not had sex. I don't think anyone would accept these assertions in any other context so why should we accept them here?

Best,

John A. Broussard

Cetrainly the virgin birth puts paid to the claim that sexual abstinence is a hundred percent sure way of preventing pregnancy.

trittydi

Well.fundy muslims certainly put a lot of store in the idea of virginity.

But the virgin birth is just one of many ways that christians have of denegrating women. I'm sure you've heard them all before.

No one in either mine or my husband's families tried to intervene when we chose to raise our children as atheists. But if they had - they would have gotten an earful from me on the many ways religion devalues women. There was no way I was going to subject either sons or daughters to that sexist, bigoted crap.

barf

noah

Yes. You are right about Muslims. In fact, I thought about expanding my post to include other religions and mythologies but felt the point was probably best (in this forum) made through use of the Christian example.
I'm glad but not at all surprised you forbad the bible to your children. If woman are going to ever get on level ground with men then refusing our children access to the bible is a good place to start.

Best,

trittydi

from Noah ~~
I didn't forbid it to them actually. We just didn't involve them in any form of organized religion, and they know what their parents think and feel about religion. The bible sits on our bookshelf with a whole collection of mythology books, and they have picked it up from time to time out of curiosity. They never spend more than a half hour with it though. The thing's too tough a read if you're not used to it - even for a very good reader which would describe all my kids. No wonder they have to read it to you and tell you what it says every sunday!

*

noah

Thank you for that clarification trittydi.You're right. The bible is a tough read. I find it distasteful to read in many places.I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.Congratulations on your smart children!