Caught Up

Whilst scrolling through my Facebook news feed, I spotted this article that my friend posted. It kind of punched me in the face. And the gut. And basically everywhere else. She mentioned about how there are more things than just the latest Phil Robertson scandal. And I was going to ignore it. I really, truly, honestly was. If I'm going to be honest with you, then you should know that I ignore probably 95% of posts like this. Maybe even more than that. And I almost never share about them either. Maybe 1% of the time, but even that is probably too gracious of a percentile. I found myself debating about posting a link to this same article on my Facebook page, but upon continued scrolling, I decided it would just put a damper on everyone's mood.

And now I'm sitting here mentally face-palming as I type these words, describing to you my reasons for withholding such information. So it puts a damper on people's moods? SO WHAT. Maybe we need that.

Her equating it to Phil Robertson made me think: I've seen an inordinate amount of pictures and articles about him over the past...how long has it even been? Two days? For someone as social-media-saturated as myself, it feels like forever. I'm already sick of it. I feel like that's somewhat messed up of me...

Anyhow, I was thinking, if we, as Christians, raged and ranted this hard about actual, physical, horrible injustices that are being done to our brothers and sisters in the east, then maybe, MAYBE something would be done about it. Or someone might be stirred to action. But...that would be uncomfortable.

Please don't take my slight sarcasm there as me being haughty...or...I don't know. It makes me uncomfortable to think about doing something for these people. It makes me feel small and powerless. All I know how to do is pray, as of right now. The whole "go on a missions trip" idea comes to mind but I won't even begin to list the excuses I've been feeding myself (and God) anytime that prospect rears its head (which, going to a Christian university, is a lot more often than what might normally surround a person my age). That's a rabbit trail for a different blog post.

My point here is: What are we doing? Why are we posting all of these pro-Phil Robertson, boycott A&E things? What does that accomplish? Who does that help? So it gets the word out. Cool. Most people who take the time to look at those posts are going to be your Facebook friends (or Twitter/Instagram/whatever "followers") who already see things the same way you do. I think we're just fanning a flame that isn't going anywhere.

Boycotting rarely (to me) seems to do much of anything. And whenever Christians start talking about boycotting, it kind of makes me nervous. Is that the best course of action? I'm not saying it isn't, but I'm also not saying it is. There is definitely a point where Christians need to take a stand. I'm just not so sure how a bunch of Christians not watching A&E is going to do much. But hey, as someone who knows from personal experience, turning off the TV can prove to be beneficial over time.

But let's talk about Syria now, for a second. And let's talk about that article I linked to. If you didn't read it, go read it. I'll wait. Go ahead. Click the link.

...

Okay, you back? Good. Let's talk about how they think we're doing nothing to help them. Let's point out the fact that we ARE doing nothing. And I don't mean us as a government or as a nation. I mean us as their brothers and sisters in Christ. Us as a church. Do we care? Or are we all as caught up in the daily stupid, petty, not-eternally-relevant things? Do you, like I do, scroll past the one or two brave Facebook friends of yours who post controversial stuff like this? Do you take the time to pray? To let the seriousness of this stuff sink in?

Sure, Phil Robertson is being persecuted by A&E for speaking Biblical truths to a country that wants to stick their fingers in their ears and sing la-la-la. And sure, that's a bad thing. It's a sad thing. But where's all the hype and internet coverage for our brothers and sisters in Syria?

Don't get me wrong. I'm just as guilty, if not more so, for getting caught up in the feel-good-things. And the worst part is just how aware of it I am. I know how the media works and I still get swept away. I know how the social media works, and I'm still drowning in it. Heck, I'm using it right now to write this message to you. Let's not forget that. And I'm not saying that social media is a bad thing. I just know I don't always use it right. Or that I use it too much.

Getting back to my point again, if we can take all that time and energy "supporting" a rich man who got yelled at for saying something that people didn't like, can we not take the same amount of time and energy to freak out about the people being killed for the faith we claim to share with them? If we're going to rage, if we're going to rant, if we're going to post incessantly on the internet, can we please consider spreading the news about worldwide persecution? Not just the watered-down kind we seem to experience thanks to the mainstream media.

Femme Fatale

Let's take a few minutes to discuss my thoughts on feminism, k? Recently I've found myself coming into contact with young, opinionated feminists (and conservative feminists). It's been interesting. It challenges me to question and examine my thoughts on gender roles. The conclusion I've made? I don't like feminism.

Before any panties get into any bunches, hang with me. I am a woman, and I don't like it. I'm not saying it's all bad, just...a lot of what I hear. I'm all for equal voting rights and women stepping up as leaders - if it's their God-given calling - in the political realm. I'm totally, completely, 100% against rape and the exploitation of women. That's disgusting. BUT I don't believe that women should be striving to be men.

If we were men, well...then I guess this wouldn't really be a problem. But the fact is, we're not. The fact is: we're different. Yes, we have valid thoughts and we can contribute greatly to society. But no, we should not say that we're better or that we're smarter or that we should be in charge. Call me a conservative traditionalist bigot for all I care. Men have just important of a role in society as women do, and to say that women are inherently better because of their lack of y-chromosome is essentially just to take the age-old argument of men being better, change the wording a bit, and then shove it in their faces. And quite frankly, that's dumb.

Maybe it's my lifelong Christian worldview coming into play, but I believe that there is a reason God chose men to be the leaders in the church. I think the same basic reasons can apply for men being leaders in the government as well. Please don't start screaming about separation of church and state. I'm well aware of what everyone thinks that that means. And fine. Whatever. Separate it. You already have. But just...take some time, especially if you claim to have a Biblically-based worldview, to consider WHY God chose men.

It's definitely not some misogynistic ploy to let men rule the world and to shut women up forever.

Going back to this from a secular standpoint, how in the heck are women supposed to be liberated by burning bras, dancing around naked, and stomping and whining for "pro-choice rights"?! Excuse me while I throw up. Calling abortion "pro-choice" gives me the heeby-jeebies. Notice how people have taken to referring to the "pro-life" side as "anti-abortion"? If we're calling pro-life anti-abortion, then let's start calling pro-choice anti-life. Or if you'd like to stick with the not-so-subtle usage of particular prefixes, then we'll call them pro-death. I digress.

Point is, if we expect equal treatment, if we want it SO badly, then we need to earn respect from our male peers the same way they earn respect from each other. By behaving and living in ways that are respectable. I'm not saying every feminist is extreme like this. But there are some. And maybe it's my lack of "life experience" but I don't see how being like that is going to get us anywhere.

I kind of hate feminism. I kind of hate the idea that women are inherently awesome because we're women. I agree that we have worth. I agree that we are made in God's image and that we are beautiful and that we have been given gifts and talents and skills worth sharing. But I don't agree that we need to BE men. And I certainly don't agree that we're better than them. You're shouting for equality, right? Do you know what that word means?