So that ordination of women thing

[luckykaa]

I just don't get the theological arguments against it. 

Yes, I realise Jesus (allegedly) only had male disciples.  Did he actually give a reason for this?  Has anyone speculated on the reason for this?  Could it be perhaps because first century Israel was actually not modern progressive 21st century country?

Is that the reason?  Seems way too simplistic to be seriously considered. 

Comments

[chess]

There are several reasons - see the 'Biblical references promoting female inferiority' section on http://www.religioustolerance.org/nfe_bibl.htm for a quick overview of the most obvious passages used in defence of this.

[luckykaa.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the link. That's interesting stuff.

Can't say the argument against is all that compelling. Seems that even if they aren't later additions, all the arguments against are based of St. Peter and/or St. Paul. CofE doesn't accept papal infallability, and even if it did, the position of the church can be revised.

[ghostpaw.livejournal.com]

I realise Jesus (allegedly) only had male disciples

Mary Magdalene. Until she got downgraded when it became politically convenient.

Basically, with so many things, the theological argument for female inferiority is exists to prop up the Patriarchal system, which is built to keep a small number of men with a disproportionate amount of power. If men started seeing women as equal to men, then they might start seeing people as equal to people, and then where would that small number at the top of the heap be?

[xenaclone.livejournal.com]

Plus the other women who 'followed him and supported him out of their means'. Mary Magdalene is also an apostle - her earliest title is 'apostle to the apostles' because it is she [and the other women] who are given the monumental task of telling the male apostles about the Resurrection. This was about as groundbreaking and breathtaking as a woman being given equal rites in Saudi Arabia [or other hard line Islamic country] NOW.

[luckykaa.livejournal.com]

And this is the sort of thing that bemuses me, although I wasn't aware of that specific part of the doctrine.

There's plenty of direct argument that Jesus would have supported ordination of women and that which is against is implied and from St. Peter and St. Paul.

I don't want to call these people misogynistic idiots without attempting to understand their point of view but I can't come to a better conclusion.

[luckykaa.livejournal.com]

Hence the "allegedly". I'm sure they outright reject Mary Magdalene as a disciple and I'm trying to see the argument from their side.

I was listening to this on Profile on radio 4 yesterday. The opponents clearly wanted to see themselves as progressive egalitarian people, and the women in opposed to this certainly didn't come across as submissive or servile.

[invisigoth51.livejournal.com]

Personally i'm against it.
Keep the church as sexist and misoginist as possible, it'll only drive more people away :)

[xanthipe]

Don't forget, us women are inherently sinful for tempting Adam and losing him the Garden of Eden. Of course we couldn't do anything as important as speak the words of God.

[luckykaa.livejournal.com]

Don't get me started on that one...

[xanthipe]

It's all down to control through the Them and Us principle, really. Christianity is just quite good at coming up with multiple levels of Them to control it more, and making Them believe that they are Them.