Your opinion: How does God view women?

[ConfusedLucy]

Men and women are equal in dignity but different in function. This used to be a commonly held position. Now it’s “there are no men and women, only the gender one chooses”. Sorry to be snarky.

I think the problem is not everyone can fulfill their gender function and it’s not a great feeling.

 

[Lea101]

I think the problem is not everyone can fulfill their gender function and it’s not a great feeling.

True. But my problem with all of this gender talk in religion is that most of the time, whatever differences are all stereotypical/overly generalised (eg women are relational etc) that it’s hurtful for people that are nothing like that. Plus it does ruin some credibility when people use pseudo psychology

 

[Sarcelle]

Our Lady is the perfect prototype of what women should be…in and through Christ. So I think it is an appropriate answer to the question. The multitude of women saints in heaven reflect the feminine glory of Mary. All women should strive for that. That’s what God wants for them.

If I were to be contrary, I would say Mary had an advantage none of us have.

She was conceived without original sin and thus was not fallen. She did not have to contend with a fallen nature like the rest of us do.

It is indeed possible for any Catholic, male or female, to revere Mary and all the female saints and yet treat the women around them with contempt.

 

[Sarcelle]

True. But my problem with all of this gender talk in religion is that most of the time, whatever differences are all stereotypical/overly generalised (eg women are relational etc) that it’s hurtful for people that are nothing like that. Plus it does ruin some credibility when people use pseudo psychology

Well they are talking about averages. There are always outliers of course but in general it is true for the average.

 

[Lea101]

Well they are talking about averages. There are always outliers of course but in general it is true for the average.

Imo, there are times where generalising is fine. But when one says something like “god made man/woman _____ so that he/she will ____” or anything along those lines and present it as a fact (be it a scientific fact or theological) it’s hardly helpful. Plus it just makes that person look uneducated

 

[twf]

If I were to be contrary, I would say Mary had an advantage none of us have.

She was conceived without original sin and thus was not fallen. She did not have to contend with a fallen nature like the rest of us do.

It is indeed possible for any Catholic, male or female, to revere Mary and all the female saints and yet treat the women around them with contempt.

Yet we can also cooperate with the grace given to us as She did. She is, in a sense, the great exception…but the Church also holds her up as the great example.

 

[Sarcelle]

Imo, there are times where generalising is fine. But when one says something like “god made man/woman _____ so that he/she will ____” or anything along those lines and present it as a fact (be it a scientific fact or theological) it’s hardly helpful. Plus it just makes that person look uneducated

When someone makes that kind of statement about an individual that they must be like this or like that, solely because of the gender they belong in, than you are right. It is stereotyping, which is wrong because it disrespects the human person.

What is true for the average, we are talking statistics now, may not necessarily be true for the individual. This is where the probability function collapses.

So we can go ahead and say that ON AVERAGE, women are generally relationship oriented but we cannot say for certain that ALL women are relationship oriented. To so would display an ignorance of statistics.

By, the way, the all capitals in my previous statement was to emphasize a point, not to yell at you.

 

[Rose71]

As a Catholic woman, I think being a Catholic has more Earthly benefits than drawbacks. It has certainly given me an alternative to the very materialistic and self-satisfying views that so many people seem to have.

Perhaps you could discuss this with your daughter, so she can see how things have worked out for me in a practical sense.

I was raised by very strict parents. There was no way I’d ever have dared even suggest I wasn’t going to join the family for Sunday Mass. Modest dress was encouraged; dating was so frowned on that it just wasn’t worth the bother to dabble and we were pushed to try our best at all things and use our gifts from God as best we could (i.e. stay in on school nights, do our homework and get good grades )

So, how did I turn out? As I embrace middle-age, what has it all meant?

First of all, I chose a career where most of my working life, I have worked with very ‘male’ men and got along with them like a house on fire! Being a Catholic woman has given me confidence and self respect. It began with obeying my parents and appreciating what God had given me: I worked hard and subsequently had the confidence and commitment to follow a career path that I felt drawn to.

As a teenager and in my early 20s, I sometimes felt that being chaste was a burden and made me somehow less ‘evolved’ or ‘adult’ than other girls. In fact, it helped me look at boys (and later men ) differently. I fell in lust and had some massive crushes and my definition of ‘chastity’ was sometimes a little more flexible than others - but I also developed an inner strength and discernment of character that helped me see the person first and the sex second. I began to notice I was more confident than many of my peers and more willing, to talk to anyone and be genuinely liked and accepted by my male colleagues because I genuinely liked them and I was interested in getting along with them.

Being a Catholic took away all the ‘will we - won’t we?’ around hooking up. I didn’t need to spell it out, but because it was never on the cards for me, I never worried! I learned to value friendship and to develop an understanding of men and an appreciation of their company.

Being a Catholic took away a lot of decisions and left a whole lot of freedom in their place. When to have sex, what contraception to use or what that missed period could mean! I’ve never had to consider abortion ( which must be a truly horrid situation) I’ve missed out on all that because I let myself be guided by a code of conduct that gives women the right to say ‘no’ and mean ‘no’. If you support ‘choice’ by favouring access to birth control and terminations, you have essentially taken away the physical consequences and risks of sex outside a committed relationship and you’re left only with an emotional argument.

It was tough, but growing up as a Catholic made me tough too. I know I can follow my beliefs and stick to them and that’s proved to me I have more willpower and strength of character than I ever thought I’d have. It’s also meant I was never attractive to the bad guys (although it didn’t stop me lusting after a fair few of them) and amazingly, some of my best male friends have past histories that would make St. Augustine blush - and yet they have invariably treated me with the respect that I treat them with. The truth is: if you don’t allow yourself to be used, even serial offenders can’t use you!

Being a Catholic has helped steer me away from materialism and wasting money on women’s magazines that encourage women to strive for physical perfection while subtly putting us down and making us feel inadequate by showing airbrushed models and fashion and accessories we’ll never afford. I don’t judge myself or others by what they earn, or own and I don’t judge anyone by the way they look - so all that pseudo-psychology about ‘finding happiness’ is wasted on me

I’ve ended up aged 45 married to a wonderful man who was shares my values and beliefs. I am still close to my wonderful parents and I’ve got an amazing career and a whole load of incredible memories and experiences from my single years when I was learning new skills, travelling and making friends.

I married late and we’ve avoided the heart-wrenching and expensive dilemma of IVF - because we just don’t believe in it! I’ve seen so many women torture themselves and bankrupt themselves and their relationship in the process. We’re just leaving it up to God and accepting what he chooses. My Catholic upbringing has taught me to see beyond my own wants and desires and I’ve had so much joy from sponsoring children in developing countries and giving a little to a child with nothing who already exists.

Just take a look at all the ‘issues’ that feminists like to shout about. I’ve overcome them all by being a Catholic woman and managed to be totally accepted as ‘one of the boys’ as well as ‘one of the girls’…

Am I a slave to fashion? No
Have I ever been judged by my looks? Who cares? I can receive compliments with good grace and accept men are generally quite visual thinkers!!!
What is consent? “It’s something you get when you put a ring on my finger: next question!”
Can women succeed in a male-dominated sector? Of course they can if they stay true to themselves!
I lost my virginity to a man who had already promised before God to stick around to boot! Knowing I managed that (secured a promise of lifelong commitment without even dropping my knickers) makes me feel far more desirable than I can begin to explain. The Catholic Church does empower women. Above all, it does so by calling us to challenge preconceived ideas and popular culture and just be who we are.

 

[chevalier]

your opinion: How does God view women?

Oh, He loves them to bits.

 

[Sarcelle]

chevalier:
Oh, He loves them to bits.



I can attest to this. His love sometimes does take me by surprise.