June 1, 2008
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No stinkin’ girls allowed!
If you are a woman, good luck finding a job as a priest or a terrorist.
On Thursday, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a decree against the ordination of female priests. Bishops who perform such ordinations and the women who get them will be automatically excommunicated, which means they will no longer be Catholics. Ordaining a woman priest, or seeking ordination as a woman is now a crime at the same level of laying violent hands on the pope.
This is so not cool! To me, one of the problems with most of the religions is their view of women. Why would I, as a woman, willingly accept that I am a second class citizen? Why do women have to be submissive in the first place? I simply cannot comprehend it, seems immoral and harmful (at least emotionally). Luckily, I am married to the best guy in the world, whom I see as my true partner in life. So, no complaints there.
Also in the news is how Al-Qaida’s stance on women sparked extremist debate. Basically, al-Qaida No. 2 leader Ayman Al-Zawahri said in April that the terrorist group does not have women. A woman’s role, he said, is limited to caring for the homes and children of al-Qaida fighters. This is something I would expect him to say of course. What is hilarious is that his remarks have since prompted an outcry from fundamentalist women, who are fighting or pleading for the right to be terrorists. One of the women wrote: “How many times have I wished I were a man … I felt that my heart was about to explode in my chest…I am powerless.”
Be it being a priest or being a terrorist you are after, it must be frustrating not to be able to do it because of your gender.
Comments (37)
Well I’m glad I couldn’t be a terrorist.
Frankly, as a Catholic, I don’t truly understand the prohibition against women priests either, but them’s the rules and we must obey. That one is not likely to change anytime soon.
both of those organizations already have their fair share of problems
jesus christ. i despise the catholic church, anyway. too many child molesters.
@porcupinesol - the percentage of child molesters amoung catholics is actually by percentage lower than that of other religios groups. It just looks nastier if it’s a Catholic priest, sot hat’s all the media really cares about.
As for the rule against women becoming priests, I can’t say that I understand the reasoning for it, but as neither a woman, nor someone interested in priesthood, I can’t say that I’m bothered by it. I know that it springs from tradition and the original twelve apostles, but seeing as how I am not the most sage religous scholar in the world, I can’t presume to know their logic or say that they are wrong in their decisions.
Thankfully I don’t want to be either a terrorist or a priest. Ha.
I still don’t understand why those women want to be terrorists, anyway. I mean, al-Qaeda’s not exactly known for its proactive stance on women’s rights, is it?
It’s a crazy world, I tell ya.
Call me sexist but girls should definitely not be allowed to blow themselves up. That is just so not girly… not sexy at all.
I’m a guy, but I have to say: that sucks. Religious people most probably cannot take the power of female, therefore they ban it altogether. So wrong.
@eadie - where did you get your info?
@porcupinesol - the percentages thing… hm, I actually saw it over a year ago when that was a big deal in mainstream media… but I suppose I could do some googling and find that answer for ya.
If those who really care about the issue just stop going to church, donating etc in protest and continued to do so until such stupidity were reversed, I’m fairly certain that before too long (yeah, especially the stop giving them money part starts to bite in) it would suddenly be realised just how mistaken they all were and oh how terribly silly of us.
I dream of a day when women are allowed to blow themselves up and not be looked down upon for doing so.
@Amandasbiggestfan - women already donw that!
but but but – there ARE female priests and terrorists, but not as many as the male ones. And usually they are just involved with one of the occupatons
australia has one women bishop in sydney..
mmm … women and submission so touchy a subject … but i’d say that I don’t think the new testament (the early church) were ever told to treat women as second class … for that matter there were many active women in the church.
Anyways … i don’t want to be either
I simply cannot understand how anyone could excommunicate a person from a religion because of anything. Where in the Bible did is say that God ok’d it for people to be kicked out of His church???
Another great example why I am no longer a fan of religion. Why can’t we all just get along, right?
I’m not sure what to say about the Catholic church or terrorist extremists…
The divisive nature of human tradition is tragic. God never intended for man to dominate woman or woman to dominate man. We’re supposed to be a team. We’re supposed to edify each other, support each other, love each other. Men and women were created to complement each other.It’s sad how perverse we are societally. Jesus Christ was a feminist in the most awesome way. It’s too bad that Christians mess that up. I’m grateful that God is patient.
yeah…that is why when you ask someone if they are a christian you hear so often…
“Well I grew up Catholic…”
meaning they are not anymore.
hehe. I work at a christian bible camp, and do a lot of missions work and I cannot tell you how many times I’ve heard that phrase uttered, in fact…I myself share their sentiments.
“What is hilarious is that his remarks have since prompted an outcry
from fundamentalist women, who are fighting or pleading for the right
to be terrorists.”
Why is this hilarious?
@nephyo - Because “Islamist Feminist” is a funny oxymoron (to me).
it’s not that i don’t understand where all these arguments are coming from. i understand. it’s all good *in theory* and *on paper*. but seriously… if you want to be a priest, and your church says to you, “we don’t want you as a priest for ,” if you’re that passionate about being a priest.. then start your own church. you can still follow all the same teachings, but what do you care if the Church doesn’t recognize you. if you really believe the teachings in the bible… you’ll know that God will recognize you despite the Church.
as for the terrorist issue… i know that someone out there is going to say (or be thinking) “i don’t want to *be* a terrorist.. but i want to have the right to choose.” would it be better if when submitting their application to become a terrorist, instead of saying “We’re rejecting your application because you’re a woman,” Al-Qaida said, “We’re rejecting your application because you were unable to pass the physical requirements test.” they would have had to put the woman through some sort of physical screening that she can’t pass (i.e. like the fire department… if you can’t lift x number of pounds, run this minimum speed, blah blah blah, then you can’t be a fire fighter). but that would “appear” more fair. is that better?
i’m all for equality (being a woman in a male dominated industry… i have to be for women’s equality) but some things are just too ridiculous to support.
i am completely baffled and amazed. excommunication seems a wee bit overboard. i love the insinuated parallels here too.
@ayca - it’s definitely chuckleworthy
I was raised Catholic and never understood why women couldn’t be priests or why priests couldn’t get married. It seemed and still seems that the church would want more people spreading their religion and placing restrictions on who can be priests seems counterintuitive.
And this is why I a) hate most organised religions and b) am gay. *lol*
Very interesting post. :]
the world needs more female terrorists
Interesting points…on all sides. I am Catholic – and to me and even those who grew up Catholic and are now atheist – being Catholic is never something you used to be….you are. You may have chosen to believe something else, you may have forsaken your church, but you are still Catholic – it is on your soul. And try as you might, the Catholic faith and the Church’s teachings stay with you.
I understand why women cannot be priests -and I understand why priests cannot be married. Keeping this in mind – John Paul II – arguably one of the greatest leaders of the Catholic church first lived a normal life- he had a girlfriend and worked odd jobs before taking up the priesthood, which is one reason I believe he was such an amazing leader to the Church. He knew what he was giving up, he had lived the life he wanted and could better relate to his people as a result.
Priests and nuns do not marry in order to have their focus on God’s will and not distracted by the wills and desires of man…
That’s just one more thing that the Catholic church has gotten wrong. *shakes head*
Terrorists and priests. Quite the pairing. :p
As a Catholic I don’t understand the boys only mentality. As a woman? It’s rather infuriating. Why shouldn’t Sister Mary Francis be Father Mary Francis, if that’s what she wants?
Then again, I also don’t really think the celibacy vow is necessarily a good thing.
ok.,….
ohhh i get it now. im not anti feminist or anything.
i completely agree
@nikedefeated - You’re the sanest Christian I’ve ever read. Good on ya!
@deerinwater0727 - “being Catholic is never something you used to be….you are. You may have chosen to believe something else, you may have forsaken your church, but you are still Catholic – it is on your soul. And try as you might, the Catholic faith and the Church’s teachings stay with you.”
*sigh*
It is because women are simply more tempermental. Catholics want to keep the feminization out of the church. Remember you asked, people who hate my religion dont need to be slandering me
We just got our first female Elder at church,we are progressing right along …not.
I feel comfortable not being allowed to become a priest since that’s how I’ve grown up but I definitely see where you are coming from…basic human equality regardless of gender.