If everyone misunderstood, I believe you may want to consider that you did not make your position clear--at first I read it and thought you were supporting women then when I re-read it, after reading some of the other comments I thought you weren't.
You say: For the purpose of this Article, I am taking the position that their teachings are true and Biblical (my personal thoughts not withstanding). <this is definitely confusing.
I said this so that people would understand that I was expressing the position of the Church Leaders who teach women in a "lesser role" in the Church....and that they were not my personal thoughts/beliefs. As clear as I could say it.
Then you list numerous things a woman is supposed to do according to scripture, then you say this:
I do not know if these women even consider this reality, or, if they do, how they justify not obeying ALL the writings of the Apostle Paul?<how are we supposed to to understand this other than the way you have written it?
The things/Scriptures I listed are the Scriptures the Apostle Paul taught/wrote, and the Scriptures the Church Leaders use to justify their position on women in the Church. Go back to the first comment.......I stated I would use their beliefs for the purpose of this Article.
(one on the list about not reading their bibles--that is was a biggie--never heard of it--thought you were part of some sort of cult.)
The Apostle Paul stated that if women were to learn anything, they were to ask their husbands at home. Pretty clear he did not believe they should be attending Bible Studies. Except the Studies the husband held for them "at home."
and this: To receive their salvation in "childbearing," they MUST live in obedience to Gods Commandments!
I was further confused by your explanations. It comes across as: the situation is dire because the women in the church don't do all the other commands in scripture --only the one command is focused on in these churches and that is to keep silent.
I'm sorry--I attempted to read it yet again along with your explanation and I still find it confusing--I can only apologize that I couldn't ascertain your position--again. If all took it one way, then I think you must consider it is on you to be clearer.
Not to be cavalier, but reading comprehension is necessary. I stated these were NOT my beliefs.............I stated I would approach the Article from the position of the Church Leaders. I did this because it is the only way to show the full depth of the problem women in these Churches face.
The Church Leaders believe ALL of the Apostles teachings concerning women. They believe that ALL of the Apostles teachings are to be considered Commandments from God. We know that we are ALL to obey Gods Commandments.
Yet, in practice, the Church Leaders ONLY enforce the one teaching, that being women not having authority over men. Thus, women not allowed to be Pastors or hold any Office in the Church that places them in a position of authority over men. Yet they make no effort to enforce the other teachings of the Apostle, even though they believe those teachings to be Commandments from God.
This failure on their part places the women of their Churches in a terrible position. Because the Church Leaders do not preach/teach the other teachings of the Apostle, there is no enforcement, nor any great attention paid to those teachings, and the women find themselves in the position of being disobedient to Commandments of God "according to their Church Leaders."
Do you, or does any other women on CC believe that this is a fair way to treat the women of these Churches? There is a serious problem with the teachings of these Churches! I hope and pray that the women recognize this, and that they approach their Church Leaders to address the problem, and find the real truth of Scripture.
I was clear. I was very clear! It seems that the majorty of people simply did not read or give thought to the first three paragraphs of the OP. Try reading with understanding:
For several weeks now, I have been thinking of the situation of the women in the Church. It has been heavy on my heart, and I have given much thought as to how best present it here on Christian Chat.
I am not arguing any particular Church Group/Denominationl Teaching as being right or wrong. That is not the purpose of this Article.
The purpose of this Article is to discuss the situation that millions of women in the Church find themselves. There are numerous Chruch Groups/Denominations that teach the writings of the Apostle Paul concerning women. For the purpose of this Article, I am taking the position that their teachings are true and Biblical (my personal thoughts not withstanding).
Can not be more clear. This is called a "disclaimer."
click to expand your comment. I put comments there as well........