why dont christian women notice that thier bible demeans and belittles them?
554260
Because 99% of Christians haven't read the bible.
1011964
The Bible doesn't show we are "inferior". Rather it refers to us as 'weaker vessels' that must be honored, safeguarded & tenderly treated. In Biblical times, the term 'vessel' many times referred to clay pottery. The term 'weaker vessels' doesn't mean we are weaker in mind or heart, but rather like fine china, that must be treated kindly, with care. \nIn addition, many women in the Bible are shown to have done amazing & courageous deeds and were greatly respected. Many of them are included in the list of faithful ones that Paul refered to in his account at Hebrews chapter 11, as faithful people to remember, admire & imitate. \nIn the account in the book of Proverbs, where it lists the qualities of a fine wife, it also shows the amount of responsibilities she had within the family arrangement, as well as within society. Clearly, someone who was viewed as 'inferior', would not be given such dignities.\nIn Paul's counsel for families in the book of Ephesians, he stated that 'husbands must love their wives as themselves', and that any husband that did not do so was in danger of having his prayers hindered. \nWe can also see how God views women, by how Jesus treated them. He was very kind & compassionate to them.  \nEven in just these few examples, this certainly does not show that women were viewed as 'inferior', by those that were Christians, in the Bible.
686988
i'm not Catholic, but yes at that time, the people whose life stories were told were sexist, because that was the time period they were in, but the Bible itself is not sexist, the Bible is perfect, not the people in it. Jesus honestly wasn't interested in a wife, he was here to spread the Good News and he knew he would be leaving and wouldn't leave a wife behind. The Bible has everything that is true in it. They also mentioned women multiple times in hte Bible, even have entire books of the Bible for them only. Ruth, Esther, get hte point there are lots of women in the Bible they wouldn't just paint over the facts of Jesus's life with whatever parts pleased them to tell. The apostles, those who were the dearest of friends with Jesus, wrote the Gospel's. They would not do that to their friend if such a relationship existed. Hence forth: THEY WERE NEVER ROMANTICALLY INVOLVED. Their relationship was of teacher to student, and brother to sister, nothing more. Ayshibaba, did you form this idea from the Davinci Code???
181627
It shouldn't come as no surprise. Remember what Christ said in the Scriptures? \n\n"YOU will be hated because of me." Mark 13:13\n\nI have found that I have far less friends since becoming a Christian. I know many people who hate God and detest the Bible. All one has to do is log on to a Yahoo message board and Christ's words will ring true.
633387
Interesting, that is what you call "keeping the scripture in context." See, I have asked allot of questions about why Paul said woman must "be silent, an are not allowed to teach or have authority over man."\n\n1 Cor 11:6-7,1 Cor 14:34,1 Tim 2:12\n\nAnd I got answers telling me I am taking it out of context, strangely, when the same question gets asked about gays, they quickly condemn gays to hell without looking at the "context" of the phrase or scripture. It seems you can justify any kind of in-tolerance with the bible when you take it "out of context". \n\nPersonally i think the book is full of hypocrisy and bias, but that is just me...
915423
Amen, sister!\nIt soon became obvious the majority(not all) of non -religious Q/A posters are not here in search of the truth/real answers/religious debate...but their motives are strictly  my opinion so I'll keep them to myself\nI used to get extremely annoyed at people for accusing Christians as a whole of being like the few obvious bad apples that are well known...but then God showed me something in the bible to put me at ease\nHe said:\nJohn 15:19-21 \n19If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. \n20Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. \n21But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.\n\ncomforting to know!\n regarding the accusations people make of Christians trying to "shove" God down the throats of others- my experience is most of us aren't like that. Just talking about God and his love doesn't constitute trying to convert people.  But we all have witnessed a few people who ARE like that...He told me to remind them of this-\n\nMatthew 10:13-15 \n13And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. \n14And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. \n15Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.\n\nThat made me realize what a HUGE responsibility we have to say the right thing when we are talking to others about God! So I pray and ask God to make sure when I speak  of Him only what is true comes out of my mouth!  I am sure He answered me too, because a few times I tried to answer posts and it just wouldn't go through, got erased, disconnected, etc! I love God...He saves me from myself regularly  :-)\n\n\nAs long as we do our part to spread the Word of God, we are doing what is right;their judgement will be on them!- we can't worry about people who REFUSE to hear, time is precious! \nSo I stopped arguing with people on this forum about God..I'll say what I want to say in praise of God, and anyone who doesn't like it can take it up with the Judge\nPEACE\n\np.s. I know what you mean about "we've found something and want everybody to get it too"\nIts such an overwhelmingly good feeling that when you try to describe it to people, its like bluh,bluh,bluh  because there are no adequate words!
879504
It is not the words, or their source, that matter but their understanding by the person using them.  Today you have people quoting words of peace and brotherly love while inciting the followers to a "holy" war, for example. The books of the Bible suppose to teach us the golden rule--love your neighbour like yourself--but some people react to the Bible's words as if they were drinking whiskey--they get violent and abusive.
505072
Because of answers like the first one posted. \n\nIf Christians quoted the Bible only when asked specific questions relating to the scripture rather than recycling quotes to suit their opinions and degrade other people, I'm quite sure there'd be less friction in this category.
896754
Men deliberately removed parts of the bible because it didn't fit their idea of what the bible should teach. It wasn't God who told them to remove those books it was their own idea. Sadly people today think that they acted on the behalf of God, and that their censorship was correct. Instead of questioning those men and their actions people today think that the parts of the bible that those men left is the only word of God and that there is no more than that.
1083108
LOL.  I love your question.  Thankfully, Christians choose to ignore those laws.  We tend to pick and choose what to follow from the Bible.  And the next time one of them says something like, "I only discount the law of the Hebrews in the Old Testament, but homosexuality is still wrong in the New Testament," (stated so by Paul, not Jesus) mention the women-are-inferior thing in 1 Corinthians 11:3-10.  I don't know many modern churches that force women to wear a veil.  Personally, I follow Jesus ("love your neighbor"), not Paul (writer of 1 Cor).
1133290
Sweetie, i tell you, that upsets me too!!! It's upsetting, I put a question, where i put"Christians" only. People got offended, im not a mean person, it was just a question for followers of God. \n\nWhatever! LONG LIVE GOD!
1110046
I agree that Christians are too quick to condemn and judge. However, you should not be surprised - the Bible describes itself in similar terms. For example:\n\n"For The Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight." (Hebrews 4:12-13).\n\nThere are other passages that talk about other aspects in terms of weapons (e.g. the "Sword of the Spirit").  Although I disagree with how Christians condemn a lot of the time, it cannot be denied that the Bible talks of itself and other elements of faith as a weapon in certain passages.
842255
You are right.  There are a lot of things recorded in the Bible that make us cringe.  I am not going to make excuses for it (like "oh well that was God's law back then.")  Slavery is wrong.  It was wrong then and it's wrong now.  Period.  \n\nFirst, you have to understand what the Bible is.  It's a collection of writings -- some of which were passed down orally for centuries before ever being written down -- all different kinds of writings.  Each book is different; written for a different purpose.  Do you really think that all Christians believe every word in the Bible is a direct dictate of God?  Okay, some Bible fundamentalists do, but not all of us.  It's the difference between being dictated by God and inspired by God.  "Inspired" is not quite so dogmatic.  \n\nThis particular verse, I believe, is a record from when Moses and the Israelites were in the desert.  It records the early development of the modern concept of the rule of law.  At the time, most tribes had kings, and kings were the law.  Under Moses, the Israelites developed consistent laws and the concepts of legal interpretations and precedents.  This is what you are reading.  While most Christians see the ten commandments as revelation from God, most Bible scholars don't see the long list of rules and penalties as divine revelation in the same sense.  \n\nThat's why religious leaders study the Bible throughout their lives.  They try to understand its wisdom -- its beauty -- and they take what is best and make that their way of life.  \n\nJesus was a real master at this.  His famous summary of the ten commandments into two actually came from the Old Testament:  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind and all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.  \n\nThis is the foundation of Christianity.  What a beautiful faith.  What a wonderful way to live your life.  This is why I am a Christian.  I do not let a handful of inconsistent verses from 3500 years ago rob me of what keeps me connected to God and to my neighbor and fulfills my life.\n\nBest of luck in your search for Truth.
196145
I am a Christian.  However the bible was written by MAN not GOD.  I do not think God wants us to be slaves to our husbands, thats just what man wanted from women.
531752
Okay, I know you requested Christians only, but I have studied the Bible extensively.The Bible was not meant to be taken literally for the most part, and it was written during a time where women were held to be inferior. I'd disregard St. Paul's tirades on women,as a suggestion.Society has changed greatly since biblical times and a fair amount of what was written regarding gender roles no longer applies to today's society.I would suggest treating your wife as a helpmate and with respect,and expect the same from her,as the bible says to do.She should not have to be submissive.St. Paul had some issues with women 2000 years ago.*Sorry,just got your update.Please switch the gender context on what I said regarding yourself.*
842033
The sad truth is that they think we are judging when we are not. We are simply speaking God's Word, witnessing for our Lord Jesus as we are told to do.\n\nSo, they can use scripture all they want, but they should know that even satan can quote scripture. They only mouth it, we embrace it.
711627
There is some evidence that there are hidden messages within the bible.  Primarily, however, we should always take the attitude that what the bible says plainly, is truth.\nThose who study it daily, find they agree more with others who study it daily, also.  It is the casual reader who finds a novel interpretation and doesn't evaluate it in light of other scripture, considered proper hermeneutics, that there is a problem.\n\nhttp://www.bible-researcher.com/biblical-interpretation.html