Ive just heard on the radio that 42 out of 42 dioceses in the Church of England voted for the ordination of women bishops, but it was the small number of laity within the Synod who stopped this going forward.
To me, its very clear that this forward step of progress will come shortly in the future, but meanwhile I thought some might be interested in reading some of the early Christian history regarding women. This is an archive link from BibleTexts.com - the link I have for it is down as I write, but it'll jump to the next one:
http://www.bibletexts.com/women.ht m">
Q&A #78 - Women's roles in early church -- real history, revisionism, and making things right
The main argument against the ordination of women bishops seems to be the apostolic succession and the fact that Jesus only had male disciples. Well, in those days, if hed traveled around with women as well, they would have been considered to be prostitutes!
But lets remember that Jesus never discriminated against women. He spoke to a Samaritan woman (a race considered inferior by Judaism in those days and Jews were supposed to have no dealings with them). Thus Jesus showed that he not only had no gender prejudice, but no racial prejudice either! More importantly, Jesus showed himself first to Mary Magdalene after the resurrection and she went on to become an important Christian leader.
This was a startling fact I found out a few years ago: Women were declared human by one vote! Tradition has it that in the year 584 C.E., a council was held in Lyon, France, where the question of women's humanity was debated by church leaders. Sixty-three delegates were reportedly present; 32 voted yes and 31 voted no.
"...Jesus associated with women freely and welcomed them as followers..........
In the years following Jesus' ministry, Christian churches were more inclusive than other associations in the Roman world, appealing to men and women of all races and classes. So, what could have led to this debate over the humanity of women?"
I'm not Eve" -- women's place in theology redefined
[url]I'm not Eve[/url]
Mary Baker Eddy, who, nearly 140 years ago founded a new Christian denomination, in which men and women are fully equal, wrote:
[COLOR="Blue"]"Let it not be heard ... that woman, "last at the cross and first at the sepulchre," has no rights which man is bound to respect. In natural law and in religion the right of woman to fill the highest measure of enlightened understanding and the highest places in government, is inalienable, and these rights are ably vindicated by the noblest of both sexes. This is woman's hour, with all its sweet amenities and its moral and religious reforms." (No and Yes p 45)
Love and peace,
Judy
If we go by what the Bible says, there is no support for women pastors. Women indeed can preach and teach other women, but the apostle Paul said that no woman is to have authority over a man. Being a pastor is a position of authority. We need to be careful not to confuse "teaching" with "leadership."
That woman-hater Paul has no authority in my eyes, therefore women can and do have authority as well as men. It doesn't matter the gender of a spiritual teacher, but the spiritual truths and inspiration that they provide. Just because some silly tradition believe in "apostolic succession" doesn't make it right.
That woman-hater Paul has no authority in my eyes, therefore women can and do have authority as well as men. It doesn't matter the gender of a spiritual teacher, but the spiritual truths and inspiration that they provide. Just because some silly tradition believe in "apostolic succession" doesn't make it right.
If you're not a Christian then you're in no position to give Biblical advice. Paul was accepted by the apostles and was greatly loved by them. Since the beginning it was God who made men rule over women after the curse of sin. Women were never meant to lead men. Men should lead women, and being a pastor or priest should only be for men, not women.
Yes I'm not a Christian, and yes I do have an opinion. This is a public forum and people can within the terms and conditions of HP voice their opinion. Why does Christianity think that they can preach to the masses, send missionaires out to advise others? Why does Youtube have 1000's of videos made by Christians criterising other peoples belief systems and advises them how to live? It takes two to tango 😉
What's the problem, don't you believe in debate?
What make you think that what is printed in the official Gospels true and factual. What about the gospels that have been suppressed? They are there, they are printed, they are in the public domain. Mary Magdalene shows to be worthy of Jesus's teachings and was an equal.