[peacegoddess]

A reminder that fundamental religious interpretations often oppress women. Nothing new and yes offensive to people who care about the ways women continue to be victimized in our world.
I see it as a reminder to be an active advocate for women and girls.

 

[charbaby]

The church has ignored the rest of that scripture passage that instructs the husband on his responsibility toward his wife "as Christ loves the church." Just smile & say a prayer for their enlightenment. Someone in that church may well be struggling with a headstrong female. I told my DH early in our marriage that I was going out after work with coworkers. We worked 3-11 at the hospital & decided to go across the street to a public for a drink when we got off. A rare occurrence. DH replied, "I'll allow you." WELL! I told him I was being courteous in letting him know I'd be late. I was NOT asking permission. We had quite a discussion. He did not repeat that statement again. The women in his family did ask permission. My Mom & aunts definitely did not.

 

[susandkline]

I think the message says something about the congregation. I would just let it go at that.

 

[RenewedKnitter]

Turn it around and just consider it a joke.
If you can laugh at it, then you will no longer be angry.

It works. When growing up, I found if I could make my mother laugh,
then her anger would dissolve. I was an active child, so had plenty
of practice in this.

 

[Suo]

Just read to my sister, the two signs. After chuckling, she repeated what she had heard at a Women's Retreat for her church (a Southern Baptist congregation). "Women, bow to your husbands so that God may swing a 2 x 4 at your husbands."

 

[Dangrktty]

I just need some opinions from around the world. This is the sign that has been posted outside of a church I drive by. The sign has been posted for over a year, once in a while they will put up something else for a week or two then revert to this. I have to pass this church on my way to town and back every time I go out. because of the rural area, the only way to avoid it is to go north into KY then around to the interstate, adding over 20 miles to my trip.
I am deeply offended by the sign, the first time I saw it I was so upset that I was shaking. A young man who works at the library told me that he called the church to complain and was hung up on.

Please note the name of the church as well.

I wouldn't like to see that either, but this is the price we pay for living in a free country... the right to express ourselves, no matter how ridiculous and hateful the expression is to others.

The name of the church and the message on the sign are just funny in a rather demented way, but then, my sense of humor is rather quirky and obscure. I can only speculate about the sort of membership in that congregation. Sounds rather insular and cult-like.

You could drive 20 miles out of your way to avoid seeing it. Or you could just avoid looking at it as you drive by, and ignore it altogether.

Let it go, ggmomliz. I agree with your assessment, and it is hideous.

They have the right to put that drivel on the marquee as long as it remains on that church property. When it moves to the courthouse, statehouse, post office, or any other tax-funded public building, it becomes a problem.

 

[Cindy S]

What century are these people living in?

 

[Dangrktty]

What century are these people living in?

:sm24: :sm24: :sm24: :sm24:

 

[Joy Marshall]

Is this a quote from somewhere in the bible? If so, it sounds like Old Testament stuff.
I am positive Jesus never said anything like this, or his disciples either. Not sure about Paul, though.

 

[seamer45]

It's the Bible Belt, and that is one of the least obnoxious things I've seen ,either growing up in Maryland or living in North Carolina for the last 18 years. I am also offended by it. Don't give them the satisfaction of going out of your way. Make your objections publicly known,write a letter to the local newspaper. They won't change it but you'll get some dialogue going. And I'm not sure they are worse than the seventh day Adventists. I walked out of my home to go to an appt and two Adventists were coming up thw walk, apparently decided I needed to be saved more than I needed to see my ophthalmologist,didn't want to get out of my way. So I told them they had to leave, they refused, I called the sheriff and he confronted them after he traced them by the license plate. Usually they just leave but not this time.

 

[fortunate1]

Ignore it. I think I would sneak in and change the wording. It could read Wives, commit your husbands, Good Lord!
File a complaint, formally with the church. Stating why you are offended.
See what happens from there.

 

[Earth Mother]

If this was in England somebody would have got at that and changed it by now!

 

[charbaby]

I can't quote scripture but I do know that passage is in one of the letters of Paul. And remember the time & culture in that part of the world. In our time, read in our culture, it appears outrageous. However, it can be taken as an archaically written way to encourage married couples to be equally respectful of their spouse. That sign also represents freedom, of speech & religion. I don't agree with what seems to be an oppressive interpretation, but I'm glad I live in a country where opinions can be expressed without fear.

 

[Joy Marshall]

I can't quote scripture but I do know that passage is in one of the letters of Paul. And remember the time & culture in that part of the world. In our time, read in our culture, it appears outrageous. However, it can be taken as an archaically written way to encourage married couples to be equally respectful of their spouse. That sign also represents freedom, of speech & religion. I don't agree with what seems to be an oppressive interpretation, but I'm glad I live in a country where opinions can be expressed without fear.

I thought it could be Paul. He never married, so what did he know?

 

[Plays with Fibers]

The verse is Ephesians 5: 22. It comes from an ancient way of doing things. Some folks prefer to stay with the way grandma and grandpa did things. Change scares them. That sign is protected by the First Amendment. Its okay to be offended. But to the point it ruins your day? Why? My opinion is there are too many people appointing themselves as The Authority, pushing to make everyone else live according the autocratic rules of The Authority. If you push the people in that church to live according to your beliefs, aren't you ignoring their First Amendment rights? Ignoring their rights to freely practice their religion? If they show up on your doorstep insisting you must follow their beliefs, that would be infringing on your rights.

 

[charbaby]

I thought it could be Paul. He never married, so what did he know?

Yep, he was what today would be termed a sexist. A man of his time & place. He also wrote that passage in Corinthians that is often read at weddings about love. Go figure.

 

[Pocahontas]

Ephesians 5: 22-25 "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and He is the savior of the body. Therefore, as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it." This was written by the apostle Paul.

The Word of God will always offend some people.

 

[peacegoddess]

Ephesians 5: 22-25 "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and He is the savior of the body. Therefore, as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it." This was written by the apostle Paul.

The Word of God will always offend some people.

The words of god are often used to justify the oppression of women and other people.

 

[ggmomliz]

Just out of curiosity I called a friend who happens to be a Baptist minister in another church. He told me that the one at the church in question advises the men in his congregation to rule their households with "a raised fist" , his words. Probably part of the same group I had a problem with at work some years back. A Baptist minister that was a regular customer happened to notice the Star of David I wore around my neck and started screaming at me that I needed to drop to my knees and kiss his feet and beg for forgiveness so I could be saved. He knew that if I said anything I would be fired for talking back to a customer.... isn't such open mindedness beautiful? LOL

 

[charbaby]

Just out of curiosity I called a friend who happens to be a Baptist minister in another church. He told me that the one at the church in question advises the men in his congregation to rule their households with "a raised fist" , his words. Probably part of the same group I had a problem with at work some years back. A Baptist minister that was a regular customer happened to notice the Star of David I wore around my neck and started screaming at me that I needed to drop to my knees and kiss his feet and beg for forgiveness so I could be saved. He knew that if I said anything I would be fired for talking back to a customer.... isn't such open mindedness beautiful? LOL

WOW. Begging forgiveness for being of the same faith as the man he believes is the Messiah & his Savior? I'm 65 & was taught in 7th grade by a holy priest that Judaism is our faith's parent & as such needs to be understood, loved & respected. Father Reis spent that year teaching us with his philosophy that if you don't understand that faith, it's history & the culture & time Jesus lived in, you can't understand what he is saying & therefore can't deepen your own belief. God bless you for holding your tongue. I'm sorry that happened to you.

I