sorompio

I found this:

sorompio

But was this practice of washing feet performed on women too? Or was it a sexist practice? I regard as highly discriminating the fact that Jesus didn't appoing women as apostles and that he allowed a woman to dry his feet with her hair, never retributing such attitude on any woman.

Zeichman

If you're that outraged, why don't you start complaining about other non-inclusive practices of the day: Roman Senate, minimal education for women, etc. Again, you're forcing 21st century standards on 1st century practice (IF, that is, it is even historical).

Or maybe even try reading other responses in the thread... Namely Toto's comments.

Chris Weimer

So the guy likes feet. I like Asians, what's the big deal. :huh:

Eldarion Lathria

As far as criticizing the host, EXCUSE ME. You do NOT go into a man's house and start criticizing his domestic arrangements. You did not in the 1st Century. A gentleman would say, "This is my house. We follow MY rules. If you do not like it, there's the door. In MY house, people do not wash feet or allow women to grovel over them."

"Woman rise up and do not degrade yourself. You are worth more than that."

"Servant, wash up that stinky stuff from the floor."

Eldarion Lathria

Zeichman

A gentleman, eh? Care to cite any evidence of such "gentlemen" existing, or is this more of the same?

Eldarion Lathria

A gentleman, sir, is merely a person whose word of honor is good. He practices the golden rule. He is respectful, without being abasive.

Have you ever been to the Middle East? I have, and you do not go into someone else's house and criticize their domestic arrangements. Mores have changed in two thousand years, but that hasn't. It has been pointed out that free Jews did not wash the feet of their guests. You provided water for them to wash their hands. Beduins will pour water over the hands of their guests. This is considered a mark of favor.

Was Jesus a sexual fetishist? No, but he certainly could be rude.

Eldarion Lathria

sorompio

Jesus is rude in many passages of the NT, but the argument about him favouring women has been popping up a lot lately, and my impression is that he wasn't particularly keen on this subject. If he really wanted to make an statement about the equality of men and women, he would have done it. He would appoint women apostles or wouldn't make any differences between washing feet of women and men.

I was raised a Roman Catholic, saw the ceremony of the washing of feet many times and they wouldn't allow women in it. Toto mentioned controversy (thanks for the article) but is there any exact records about this custom?... I never heard or read about washing women's feet at banquets in the Bible or in Biblical times.

Zeichman

Have you ever been two thousand years ago?

Or have you addressed my main criticisms, instead of reiterating your original point?

Eldarion Lathria

No I was not there two thousand years ago. And ancient Israel was a patriarchal society in which women were subordinate. But the paterfamilias was master in his own house, which meant guests did not criticize the domestic arrangements. It was simply part of being the paterfamilias that you did not allow that.

Modern Beduin manners, and I have been the guest of Beduins, are similar, but not exactly like the manners of two thousand years ago. I was told, before entering the Beduin's home, not to criticize or find fault with anything therein.

And gentlemen of the type I mentioned did exist in Rome. See the works of Juvenal, Cicero, and others.

Eldarion Lathria