"Nobody objects to a woman being a good writer or sculptor or geneticist if at the same time she manages to be a good wife, a good mother, good-looking, good-tempered, well-dressed, well-groomed, and unaggressive." ~Marya Mannes

"[Feminism is] a socialist, anti-family, political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians." ~Pat Robertson

One of the Coordinating Committee members e-mailed me a bunch of quotes about feminism, and after reading them, I must say I got a bit riled up. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I, as a feminist, am not setting out to leave my future husband or kill our children, and as a Christian I do not practice witchcraft. In fact, I would definitely consider myself pro-family. I have a very nice family back in Washington State, and I don't recall ever being against any of my family members. I would even like to have my own family some day-- my very own 2.5 kids and a dog.

Maybe the first quote, though, illuminates some of why good ol' Pat thinks that people like me are the bane of a moral Christian society-- we can't fit in the box of what he thinks we should be. For me, feminism is the refusal to be anything more or less than the human God created me as. Further, it is my annoying propensity to insist that others see me in the same way. I'm afraid that I am not a domestic goddess, I don't always keep my temper, I do have thoughts and feelings, and I can't be everything to everyone. I can only be me. And the people around me have to accept that.

God doesn't ask us as women to be perfect, even when society does. Look at Mary and Martha. Jesus tells Martha that Mary has "chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:42). Mary did not try to be all things to all people. Mary did not do what was "expected" of her. Mary sought her passion, which was to learn from Jesus and follow him. This is what God is really asking of us as women-- to seek God's will, and follow its lead to our calling. If we have to leave the "well-dressed, well-groomed, unagressive" person behind to do that, then so be it.

"Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, God will honor." --John 12:26

Kelsey

Dear Kelsey,
Forgive a grandmother, of seventeen, for intruding on the young. Perhaps Pat Robertson does not know there are many kinds of feminists. There were in the past several different kinds, see the first chapter of my history thesis, "Early Feminism: Equality, Ethical Theory and Religion" at www.naminggrace.org. Today there are still many kinds, including Christian feminist who love and honor Jesus Christ and there are radical feminist who are into goddess worship. There are also many in betweens. I am glad you love your family. Blessings in Christ
Viola Larson