Absolutism

A commentary from CNN: Teresa Hairston has been publishing GospelToday (which, I'm assuming, is a predominant magazine in the Christian realm) for 19 years. For the most recent issue, Hairston decided to place five female pastors on the cover. Lifeway Christian Stores (again, I'm assuming a major chain of Christian stores) refused to sell the September 2008 issue. Since the Southern Baptist Convention owns Lifeway, and since Southern Baptists decree that only men can serve as pastors, the stores pulled the magazine because it stands opposed to their dogma.

The problem I have isn't with Lifeway's decision. As a private business, they have the right to choose what items they will and will not sell. However, my grudge is with the set-in-stone mentality the Southern Baptists have in regard to women. Perhaps that mentality was acceptable a few hundred years ago, but now, today, it's antiquated.

Mike: The believe in the New Testament it specifically states 1 Timothy 2:12 says: But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. It's not saying a woman can't go around and teach at different churches, it's saying a woman can't be a "shephard" or pastor of a church. It's not just about the culture, or saying that men are better than woman. It's about keeping things in order for harmony's sake.

Butch Dillon: These ladies all know their place and it's in the bedroom and in the boudoir. Ahhhhh-men.

Kyle: The scriptures state "...man was not created for the woman's sake, but woman for the man's sake." Contemporary American values are not Christian by a long shot. The scriptures also state, "...do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression." How about quoting the ultimate source documents for your artical?

Kyle hits upon the point that terrifies me most when it comes to religion: the absolutism of its followers.

STP: I agree with the bookstore 100%. The bible is to be read by all of us and applies to all of us. The Bible (God's word) says Pastors can be only men. Paul didn't say it, I didn't say it, GOD said it. If you "interpret" it to fit your own views, you don't believe God's word. The Bible may have been written long ago but it is the living word of God and applies today the same as it did when it was written.

Paul: If you believe the Bible to be the true Word of God, you will see there are many situations you will not like - this is one for many people. However, just because we don't like ***, it doesn't mean it is wrong. Our God is not wrong nor will He ever be.

Scott: I hope for more unity in the church, but I'm not willing to trade truth for false unity. Here's a suggestion - when you can't seem to accept something the Bible teaches, remember the problem isn't with the Bible but with you.