Before I go into the direct response to Butter's comments, i think this is important to point out. Gender bias exists and has been a problem in many societies. There are cultures that oppress women. I want to make it clear that I strongly oppose this behavior. And I want to make it equally clear that I do not believe the Bible in any form or fashion supports this. I do believe the Bible does provide distinct family and social roles, and that yes, in many cases men have an inherent authority. I think it is an error to take these distinctions broadly categorize them under the term "Gender bias," and I think this post will help to clarify. Now, to my response.
Butterfly wrote: So, you do agree that the bible says god ordained and sanctioned his laws and rules. One of those laws was the one I quoted in my article that deals with purification and cleansing of a woman after childbirth, where I showed the gender bias in that law. You can try to justify why god gave that law, but you cannot deny that it is biased.
Yes, I agree that the Bible says God ordained and sanctioned His laws and rules. And, I don't have to try to justify it. I simply don't understand all of it. You presume that ritual cleansing is a bad thing. Fine. I don't. And under your use of the word, yes, I can deny it is biased. The reason I can is you make God out to be
arbitrary, and this is inherent in your use of the word. Supposing for a moment that the Bible is the actual revelation of God, then can you and I know every purpose for God's decrees? No. If you presume God (the one you don't believe in) is trite, arbitrary and a chauvinist, paired with a 21st century ethic, (And if like most of us, the pop culture has marinated you in.) then of course you arrive at these conclusions. No argument there.
You as a man may say that a billion women believe that men in certain roles (which are what?) should have authority over women, but I challenge you that if each and every one of your billion women was asked if she wants equal human rights...she would say YES! People have authority over others for all sorts of valid reasons, but that is not my point, what I am saying is that the Bible is biased against women for the sole reason of GENDER.
You think that because it is YOUR view, which as I've already shown is laced with certain presuppositions. First of which is that it is wrong, in any form or fashion for man to have authority over a women where the reverse is not allowed. But don't misunderstand the crux of my argument. Every woman and man would want certain rights. No question. But there are plenty of Muslim (and non-Muslim) women who prefer NOT to have equal rights with men. They submit to their religiuos doctrine. Of course this doesn't make it right. But, that is not the point we are arguing. We are arguing this in perspective of the GR, which you claim as objective apart from being sourced outside of man. You say you adhere to it. So, if a woman or women desire to submit to a man, whether it is family order or social order, who are you to violate this and impose your worldview on them? You just assume that surely no rational woman would want something different than yourself. To put it blunt, that is being egotistical. In fact, I'd say it reflects the exact bias you are accusing. That those woman need to SUBMIT to your worldview. I've already challenged you on this and you've failed to offer anything other than question begging and opinion.
My rejection of the Bible as the word of god has no bearing on whether or not it is biased, and I am forcing my claims on no one. I have made a case for male bias of the Bible that originates with its god, these are the facts I have presented and so far they still stand as valid.
No Butter, you've made a fundamental flaw. You have provided your interpretation based on your presuppositions. Now, I suspect that in your own mind you think you are being perfectly rational and objective. I have no problem with you saying, that according to your worldview, it is biased. But, objectively speaking, is it wrong for a woman to want a man to lead, provide, and govern, whether in family, business or elsewhere? In American culture today we have woman who do and don't. Since we are not under a theocracy, I think both can be correct. But, that is a different issue.
You as a man may say that a billion women believe that men in certain roles (which are what?) should have authority over women, but I challenge you that if each and every one of your billion women was asked if she wants equal human rights...
As a married man I can speak only from that perspective. My wife is a strong woman. She is a leader. But she also believes that in our household, I hold a position of authority. And that this authority is divinely ordained. That means in certain situations we may disagree, but she would defer (even if against her WANTS) to my authority. I'm not saying this authority can't be abused. It can, and some often do. But an abuse of authority is not evidence that the authority is wrong in the first place. Of course the Bible dictates some specific rules for these roles, which promote love, selflessness, and respect, and if followed, provide a wonderful ideal for family. And of course strong families are the foundation for any strong society.
Believe it or not, there are a LOT of women who desire for a man to lead, provide, and be the head of a household. They desire it more than those things you desire. And they would be offended if you attempted to undermine the foundations of their worldview. But, even if no women did, it wouldn't determine whether it was right or wrong. Believe it or not, there are women who do not admire Madonna or Lady Gaga and see their so called "empowering" as vile and disgusting and personally offensive to their own moral ethic. My point is not that just because women want something different than you that it is right. The point is to show you that you are presuming bias based on your own subjective morality. You then view the Bible through this lens, and presume there is no way that it isn't bias. You are conflating gender bias (Women making less money for dong the same job, which is wrong.) with the distinctive roles given to men and women in the Bible. And in a sense you are saying that woman should conform to your own worldview. Also, and you are welcome to correct me if I'm wrong, but I would say deep down, you think these women are stupid, naive or brainwashed. After all, they have to be, because gender bias is a "fact" in the Bible. The problem, is this is based in direct contradiction to the GR. Instead of doing unto others, you are saying, "First, do like me."
This is one of the flaws for holding a subjective view of the GR. Because there are people who think they know best, when they really don't. And of course they could always say, with perfect honesty and rationality, "If I were them, I'd want someone like me telling me what to think and do."
I draw from the Bible and use it in context.
