It astounds me that people like this even exist.
If we at all wonder why people are skeptical of Christianity and those who abuse the name of God … well, all you need to do is read the article linked above and I think you’ll understand.
It’s What They Pay Me the Big Bucks For April 17, 2007
You may have noticed that Kat has been the only one posting lately. This is not without good cause on my part.
I’ve been working on a paper titled, “Again It Goes Unnoticed: Exploring the Link Between Wartime Rape and Sex Trafficking in Kosovo and Sudan” for my International Human Rights Class. Not only is this paper a beast to write for various reasons, but I’m also presenting it at the Human Trafficking Conference held at South Texas College. In about 18 hours. Oy.
Once I’ve presented it and have it completed, I’ll post it on this blog for you to see. The information in it is devastating, but so crucial to know if we’re ever going to end these gross violations against human and women’s rights.
So wish me luck! I’m off to be a pretend academic in McAllen.
::Lindsay
Rodriguez & Tarantino’s Lovechild April 14, 2007
I don’t think any of this gives away anything that you can’t figure out from the promotional posters.
This is just a general notice that I have seen Grindhouse and a review is coming soon. I guess Tarantino’s bit, “Death Proof,” could be viewed as female empowerment. Really gross but vivid female empowerment. Just throwing that out there.
Well, now that I think about it, Rodriguez’s “Planet Terror” has a go-go dancer who: A) leads the way to a new civilization and B) has a machine gun leg. Awesome.
Also, the film is a healthy 3.5 hours long. Backsides, beware.
::Kat
Biblical Law and Homosexuality April 14, 2007
Unlike a lot of Christians (some who, for the record, I love and respect very much) I am not under the impression that there is an unholy trinity threatening Christians today: abortion, post-modernity, and homosexuality. I don’t have the time or the energy to explain my position on all three, but I thought this letter takes a interesting approach to homosexuality. I try to avoid irony when dealing with an issue that can inspire passionate, often unfortunately violent, reactions. I just don’t like the nastiness it can foster. However, in the case the author raises what I think are valid points. Also, I didn’t write it, so I’m not taking fall. Helloooo, Loophole, my dear friend. Plus, the word “smite” plays a prominate role. At this rate, it’d be a crime not to share. (more…)
The Wages, Not the Cost, Pt. Two April 14, 2007
For the first time in my life, I’m actually achieving that ever elusive follow-through.
That’s right, we’ve succesfully landed on part two of reflections on the theological significance of the crucifixion – something I didn’t even know I had options about until last week.
I was able to participate in a mentally stimulating conversation about the crucifixion at, of all places, Sunday school. No one was more shocked than I to be having challenging, thought-provoking, intellectual conversation at Sunday school, but I forgot I was in a class led by Dr. Tom Hanks. Not that Tom Hanks, another one. We came to the conclusion that there are four ways to view to crucifixion: the Ransom Theory, the Satisfaction Theory, the Influence Theory, and the Participation Theory. The first three theories we discussed were borrowed from a sermon given by Dr. Hanks’ daughter-in-law, Rev. Stephanie Spitzer of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Gerald, TX. The last was coined by Dr. Hanks and drawn from the Lent Talk given by Rev. John (a link to the address is in the first post). In this post, I’d like to briefly discuss the Ransom and Satisfaction Theories. (more…)
The Wages, Not the Cost, pt. One April 12, 2007
So, Easter. It’s a big deal.
I’m a Christmas-girl myself, but it’s Easter that gives us Christianity as we understand it today. Until the past week or so — and I’m ashamed to say this – I hadn’t really considered in any depth the implications of why Jesus was crucified. If you were born in the Church, you know Jesus died for your sins. What you may not know is why he had to die for your sins. I really didn’t ask this question since, even at an early age, I tired of Evangicubes and the daigram where YOU are on one cliff, then there’s a gaping chasm (helpfully labeled “SIN”) and the on the other side, on a another cliff, is GOD. I know it’s God because there are clouds and shiny lines. It was clear: I am sinful, God is not, Jesus died to pay a price for my sin, and now I have communion with God.
Well, maybe.
Meet Kat April 10, 2007
Name: Kat
Age: 23
Occupation: M.A. student in English Literature at Baylor University, Graduate Assistant at the Digital Media Studio, sometimes barista at B&N. The bills gotta get paid, son!
Ambition: To teach English Literature at the college level. To be a scholar. To never tire of learning. To be at a place where I don’t have anything to prove, I can simply let my actions speak to my convictions and hopes. I am not there yet. Also, I’d like to be hot and good at yoga. But I don’t suppose this is what the question wanted to hear.
Denomination: A exploratoy Episcopalian, though I am currently attending a Baptist church (part of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship) because that particular community is socially active, radically accepting, and not afraid of doubt. I’ll see Lindsay her female pastor and raise her a female associate pastor as well.
Why I am part of this blog community: I have been finding myself often saying, “I’m not sure what I think, but I know I don’t think that.” Well, I’m ready to find out and articulate what I do think. There is a tireless slice of my generation who make me ashamed to be a Christian, both because of the way they treat people of other faiths and the way they treat minorities (women only make up part of the demographic receiving the great Evangelical shaft). Saddest of all, they attribute their actions to suppposed divine dictates. I don’t think of this blog as a reaction to that. I think of those ideas inspiring this blog, inspiring me, to authenticity, kindness, and purpose.
Do I think baby animals are precious: YES.
Which is more precious, a baby otter or a baby penguin: Impossible to answer. I’m going to stick to questions of religion, philosophy, art and gender, thanks.
Meet Lindsay April 9, 2007
Name: Lindsay
Age: Almost 24
Occupation: Master’s student in Church-State Studies at Baylor University; Graduate Assistant for the Institute for Faith and Learning
Ambition: To be an advocate for women’s rights. To help end violence against women globally, but especially in Africa. To make a difference. To be rad.
Denomination: Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. And yes, I have a female pastor.
Why I am part of this blog community: I have read one too many blogs written by women who favor unconditional submission over equality. I have read one too many blogs written under the auspices of Christianity that exist only to preach hate and intolerance, instead of dealing with real issues such as social justice and human rights. I have read one too many blogs that made my blood boil, and yet I did not respond. No longer. This is my response.
Do I love shoes and chocolate?: That’s like asking me if I think Journey sings the greatest love ballads of all time. Of course I do!
In the Handbasket April 6, 2007
It’s probably already obvious to you, the reader, that this isn’t going to be your typical “I’m a submissive Christian woman who thinks John Piper is Jesus incarnate” blog. But we’re not your typical women, Christian or otherwise.
All of us are on our way to earning our Master’s or PhD’s in various subjects. All of us proudly claim the term “liberal,” though most of our upbringings were staunchly conservative. All of us are fiercely egalitarian feminists. Most of all, all of us are Christians.
To some of you, the combination of these traits may seem unlikely and perhaps impossible. But for us, all of this is an extension of our faith. More than that, these traits are imperative to our faith.
With blogs such as Solo Femininity floating around in cyberspace promoting what they think is “biblical womanhood,” we decided we needed to respond somehow. So we set up this blog because we are a voice that seems to be grossly underrepresented in the blog world, and pretty much the world in general.
We’ll introduce ourselves as we go along and post on topics as they come across our paths. We hope this blog will give you something to think about and encourage conversations that you may not have thought to have otherwise.
Welcome to our handbasket. Enjoy the ride.
