Radical feminism was a strong, ideological response to both real and perceived wrongs in the culture.

Patriocentrism was a strong, ideological response to both real and perceived wrongs in the culture.

Looking at other -isms in history, we can see a similar pattern of reactionary extremes. . .

Reacting in such ways, imo, is not a way to build a healthier culture.

Cally, you made some very good points with this post.

It is simple ad hominem. The patriocentrists are attaching a term that is disliked by most of conservative Evangelicals to a group within their own ranks. In this way, they can bypass the intellect and move directly to emotion and perhaps more people will be fooled into believing their stupidity. “White Washed Feminist” really has nothing to do with the now essentially defunct Feminist movement. (Or with watered-down paint either, for that matter)

Again, I am lost about what the word feminism means. The bible talks about a worker being worthy of a living wage. So, women receiving pay at the same grade as a man seems okay dokay. The Bible does not prohibit women from voting. Molleth’s statement of, ” treating women as full human beings worthy of respect, NOT treating/viewing them as lesser-than’s to men,” is consistent with Scripture.

So, why all the chest-thumping in certain camps? Are these men that insecure about their masculinity and their Christianity? May be they need to deal with those issues first before they step behind a pulpit. The arguments put forward by this camp tends to run very purile and demonstrates a lack of historical knowledge within Christiandom.

I absolutely LOVE Cally Tyrol’s statement: “God is more concerned with character and relationships than he is with whether or not I earn an income outside the home or wear a dress.”

Again, another well written article. Thank you for taking the time and KNOW that many are praying for your success with this web site.

If I come to one subset of my friends and say I’m a feminist, then they hear it that I’m embracing all of things that I disagree with.

If I come to another subset of my friends and tell them I’m *not* a feminist, they hear it that I’m rejecting all of the things that I do agree with.

So defining terms are necessary.

Plus, if any of the patriocentrists visited a country even for a week (as I did) where there aren’t any rights (or even very limited rights) for women, they would be very thankful for their freedoms. Even the education to articulate their belief system and the right to blog freely about their positions is due in part to earlier battles for women’s rights.

Btw, a HUUUUGE amen!

So it is for that reason that I’ve decided to call myself a feminist. Feminism, at it’s CORE, is the belief that men and women are equal. (Which is not the same thing as saying they don’t have any differences, but rather with respect to *personhood,* they are equal).

The hyper-conservative camp has made “feminist” into the new f-word. I think it’s high time we take it back instead of cow-towing to their propogandizing fear-mongering warnings. I like how you specified, “radical feminist.” THAT, I’m totally against, in the same way that I’m totally against the hyper-patrios. Both are destructive philosophies.

Both are extremist camps, fringe groups, loud squeaky ones that DO NOT represent the whole. In the same way that the hyper-patrios do not represent Christianity, radical feminists do not represent feminism.

However *basic* feminism in and of itself, the idea that women should have the right to vote just as men, the idea that a man shouldn’t get paid more than a woman for doing the same job, THOSE things, I’m totally for. Which, in effect, makes me a feminist.

My 2 Cents,
Molly