I have been thinking about this a lot today. For some reason the word dangerous really stood out to me. I think because my biggest fear is that my status as unwed mother is looked at, by its nature as scandalous, within the traditional church. I don’t want to be a danger to anyone. Unless I received really poor advice, the traditional counsel I received did not indicate that as an unwed mother I was dangerous, or that everything I say or do has to be automatically dismissed because I am an unwed mother. I am indeed of this status, but I am trying so hard to reform. Conversion is very, very hard. Most women in my position never even try to examine these things and change. I feel like I have to examine them, because I believe that is what God has been calling me to do.
I was looking at an older post on this board recently where some women were recommending and discussing the book “Fascinating Womanhood.” This book is by a Mormon author. I guess I wrongfully assumed then that it was okay to post things about the role of the wife from other denominations, for discussion. I asked for “thoughts” on her approach, I was not trying to preach it. I quickly made note of the birth control part. I did not realize the sentiments as a whole, were harmful.
Flannery, please understand that I did not realize the St. Paul command for women to be silent included matters like this, where an idea is posted for discussion. I have read a lot of similar things from women I just didn’t realize what I did was so different. I apologize again.
If you are referring to my comment about men gently correctly women, this was just something I realized after a personal conversation I had. There are a lot of young men who, in discernment of marriage, will encounter overly emotional women. Because I recently had an experience that taught me how valuable a certain way of guiding a woman can be, I thought sharing the vague outline could be beneficial. I did not realize that a woman’s reflection on a successful male/female conversation was never needed at all. I figured that if the perspective was in line with the rules of obedience and submission, it might be helpful. Some traditional men clearly know how to diffuse a woman’s over-emotionalism without ever “feeding into it” or dismissing it. I thought some might be interested in that. It was never intended to replace a man’s wisdom at all.
It was absolutely never my intent to speak with any sort of authority. If I was the type of woman who acted and believed that way, I would have applied for a work promotion that would make my financial problems a lot less burdensome. I have purposely avoided going after this position because it would place me in direct supervision and authority over male employees. I am not comfortable for this, even though I’ve been told I am qualified. I am putting my belief in the order of how things should be, above my own financial security. I am trying to live a certain way, despite no day to day examples of this.
I know many married women, and not any of whom believe in or practice submission. This is all I see. With my own parents, my mother ruled the roost. She showed no affection to my father which pushed him to adultery again and again. I don’t want such a disordered marriage, so I am trying to learn, and make sure I have got my understanding of these things correct. I truly meant no harm, and I will respect if anything needs to be deleted.
Elizabeth,catherine, and Malleus, thank you for your kind words.
Topic: Male - Female Misunderstandings (Read 15146 times)