My husband, who knows me better than anyone else and who, unlike me, takes the time to read the letters to the editor in our local paper, found the following entry today and graciously said, “You might want to read this.” I am grateful.
Christopher Staeheli, whom I do not know, lives in the same town I do and speaks gracious, generous word. I am grateful.
Here’s his letter to the editor and the link to article in the News Tribune.
As I contemplate our current conflict of cultures, I am troubled that we did not act sooner to stop the brutal oppression of women in Afghanistan justified by religious beliefs. Then I wonder, how our own Judeo-Christian culture can speak with legitimacy when many of our religious sects treat women as second-class citizens.
Our own Seattle Catholic Archdiocese recently ordained seven male priests and the archbishop, Alex Burnett, proclaimed the “diversity” of this group, seemingly oblivious to the exclusion of women.
Sacred scripture and tradition are used to justify our own religious cultures’ suppression of women under the guise of God’s intent. Yet Scripture tells us that a woman brought the body and blood of Christ into the world; a woman directed Christ’s first miracle (turning water to wine) at the wedding of Cana; a woman’s belief led Christ to reveal power over death by raising Lazarus; and a woman first met the risen Christ. One must be a “rock” to miss “God’s intent” in Scripture.
Defeating the mindset of Islamic fundamentalist terrorists such as the Taliban requires more than military might. It also requires addressing our own hypocrisy.
Our Judeo-Christian sects, including Catholicism, must have true “diversity” and equality, with full inclusion of and respect for women. I believe this is God’s intent.
Thank you, Christopher. Thank you, Joe. It’s so redemptive to encounter – even this early in the morning – two men who speak words of life to me…and to many. I am grateful.
SUBSCRIBE to my Monthly Newsletter. SUBSCRIBE to the Blog via Email or your Kindle. LIKE me on Facebook.
