Why do we cringe?

This week in class we talked about several different degrees of feminism and where each falls on the scale from anti-feminism to radical feminism. This movement seems to make people cringe no matter where they fall on the scale. I asked myself why this topic has the ability to ignite a fire in almost everyone. First of all, the history surrounding this topic is monumental. Numerous milestones have been met since the movement began, and society has come a long way. For social change to take place, mass amounts of people have to devote themselves wholeheartedly to the cause. I think this has something to do with why people tend towards extremity when discussing feminism. I have also noticed that there does not seem to be a middle ground in the Christian community. You either hold to the tradition view that women have a specific role separate from a man’s role or you hold the opinion that women can do anything that men can do. According to the traditional view, men can hold certain positions in the church that would be unacceptable for women. On the other end of the spectrum Christian feminists would say there is no reason a woman could not be the head pastor of a church or hold a position as a deacon or an Elder. In reference to what we discussed in Genesis 1 and 2 I believe a small consensus can be met. Sarah talked about how male dominion was a result of the fall and how before sin entered the world the humans God created were considered to be “adam” meaning “out of dust.” It was not until after the fall that Adam formally named the woman Eve. This signified the transition from a relationship based on equal ground to one in which man would rule over woman. Since then, society has been working to change this dynamic. I think as Christians we can all agree on this account. I do however think we can apply it differently. For example, I think woman and men can be completely equal and posses differing roles. I do not believe that the dynamic of the man being the “leader” in the relationship is necessarily a result of the fall. It could just as easily be how God intended it to be.