FEMINISM by Dale O'Leary July 1, 1994

www.thefactis.org

Before we begin to tal about fe!ini"! we nee# to lay a foun#ation of re$entan%e& I 'a(e gi(en !any tal " on t'e t'i" "ub)e%t an# no !atter 'ow %areful I a!, I fin# t'at w'en I a! fini"'e# one or two wo!en in t'e au#ien%e will be terribly offen#e# by !y tal & *'e intere"ting t'ing i" t'at t'ey are u"ually offen#e# by "o!et'ing I #i#n't "ay& I trie# to e+$lain t'e $oint" t'at #i"turbe# $eo$le !ore %arefully, but fran ly to no a(ail& Sin%e you !ay fa%e t'e "a!e $roble!, let !e e+$lain w'at I t'in 'a$$en"& *'ere 'a" been in)u"ti%e towar# wo!en by !en& *'i" "'oul# be no "ur$ri"e to u"& *'e boo of ,ene"i" tell" u" t'at t'e fir"t fruit" of original "in were t'e #i"ru$tion in t'e relation"'i$ between !en an# wo!en& *'e -ue"tion i" not. /a(e wo!en "uffere#0 1e all agree t'ey 'a(e& *'e -ue"tion i". 1'y an# w'at "'oul# we #o about it0 *o agree t'at wo!en 'a(e "uffere# #oe" not for%e one to agree wit' t'e fe!ini"t analy"i" of w'at %au"e" t'at "uffering an# w'at "'oul# be #one about it& *'e $roble! i" t'at "uffering %reate" bitterne"" an# en(y& 2n# fe!ini"! bree#" in bitterne"" an# en(y& *'i" i" w'y w'en we %'allenge fe!ini"t analy"i" of %au"e" an# "olution" "o!e wo!en rea%t #efen"i(ely, feeling t'at we are #enying our "uffering& 3nle"" ea%' of you re$ent" $er"onally of t'e "in" of en(y an# re"ent!ent, I %an tell you -uite fran ly t'at you will not be able to 'ear w'at I a! "aying& S%ri$ture "ay" 4En(y t'ou not t'e o$$re""or4, 56ro(& 7.718& En(y i" a "eriou" "in be%au"e w'en we en(y we -ue"tion t'e $erfe%t wi"#o! of ,o#'" $lan for our li(e"9 we t'in t'at /e #enie# u" "o!e goo# to w'i%' we are entitle#, $arti%ularly if we, a" wo!en, en(y !en, or "ay, 'ea(en forbi#, 4I wi"' t'at I 'a# been born a !an&4 ,o# !a#e u" !ale an# fe!ale& *o be #i"$lea"e# wit' /i" #e%i"ion, %'allenge" ,o#'" goo#ne""& *'erefore, if you 'a(e e(er "ai#, 4I wi"' I were a !an4 re$ent of it an# a" ,o# for t'e gra%e to a%%e$t t'e gift of your wo!an'oo#& Se%on#, we !u"t re$ent of all bitterne"", re"ent!ent an# unforgi(ene""& 1e !u"t forgi(e e(eryone w'o 'a" in)ure# u" in any way& *'ere are no e+%e$tion"& E(ery ti!e we re%ite t'e ro"ary, "i+ ti!e" we "ay, 4Forgi(e u" our tre"$a""e" a" we forgi(e t'o"e w'o tre"$a"" again"t u"4& *'e"e are not i#le wor#", If we #on't not forgi(e, we are a" ing ,o# to 'ol# our "in"& Je"u" "ai#, w'en 'e taug't t'e Lor#'" $rayer, 4If you #o not forgi(e ot'er", neit'er will your 'ea(enly fat'er, forgi(e you&4 6eo$le 'a(e "trange i#ea" about forgi(ene""& Forgi(ene"" #oe"n't !ean t'at you 'a(e not been 'ar!e#9 on t'e %ontrary, it !ean" t'e e+a%t o$$o"ite, it a% nowle#ge" t'e reality of t'e 'ar!& Forgi(ene"" i" i"n't letting t'e ot'er $er"on off, it" letting your"elf off& :e"ent!ent i" re; feeling& <ou are %ontinually refeeling t'e 'urt&

*'ere are no e+%e$tion", no 'urt" t'at %an't be forgi(en& If you are a" inno%ent a" Je"u", if t'e nail" are "till in your 'an#", if your $er"e%utor" are "till "tan#ing aroun# )eering at you, you !u"t "till "ay 4Fat'er forgi(e t'e!&4 /ow to #o it0 Forgi(ene"" i"n't an e!otion, it i" an a%t of t'e will& Ma e a li"t of all t'e $eo$le w'o 'a(e in)ure# you in any way, an# ta e it to %onfe""ion, an# out lou# !a e an a%t of forgi(ene""& It !ay al"o be goo# to tal about t'e $ain wit' "o!eone w'o un#er"tan#"& 1o!en, in $arti%ular, !u"t forgi(e t'e !en w'o 'a(e 'urt t'e!. fat'er", brot'er", %ou"in", boyfrien#", 'u"ban#", "on", tea%'er", e!$loyer", e(ery one w'o 'a" in)ure# t'e!& /a(ing #one all t'at we %an begin to tal %'allenge to t'e fait'& about t'e fe!ini"t

I'# li e to gi(e you a little ba% groun# about 'ow I %a!e to be intere"te# in t'i" "ub)e%t& 2bout 1= year" ago I be%a!e in(ol(e# in t'e $rolife !o(e!ent& Our o$$o"ition %all" it"elf fe!ini"t an# %lai!" to be t'e #efen#er" of wo!en& I 'a# )u"t written a "erie" of arti%le" on t'e negati(e effe%t" of abortion on wo!en, an# I really belie(e# t'at t'e infor!ation I 'a# un%o(ere# woul# "'ow t'e"e fe!ini"t" t'at abortion wa" terrible for wo!en& /owe(er, w'en I went out to #ebate, I foun# t'at !y infor!ation 'a# ab"olutely no effe%t on t'e!& In fa%t, t'ey new about all t'e negati(e effe%t" of abortion& *'ey new it better t'an I #i# be%au"e t'ey new !ore wo!en w'o 'a# abortion"& *'ey #i#n't want to tal about t'e effe%t" of abortion on wo!en& *'ey #i#n't want to tal about t'e baby& *'ey wante# to tal about t'e liberation of wo!en& I t'oug't to !y"elf, 42! I !i""ing "o!et'ing 'ere04 So I e!bar e# u$on a two year "tu#y of fe!ini"!, trying to un#er"tan# w'ere t'e"e wo!en were %o!ing fro!& I #i"%o(ere# I #i#n't un#er"tan# fe!ini"!0 I 'a# t'oug't t'at fe!ini"! wa" about e-uality for wo!en, e-ual treat!ent un#er t'e law, e-ual e#u%ation, e-ual o$$ortunity, e-ual #ignity an# re"$e%t& *'ing" w'i%' I "u$$orte# an# w'i%' I a! "ure you all "u$$ort, w'i%' t'e %'ur%' "u$$ort"& *o !y "ur$ri"e I #i"%o(ere# t'at t'i" $'ilo"o$'y of liberal ; e-uality ba"e# ; fe!ini"! 'a# been al!o"t totally "u$er"e#e# by t'e i#eology of ra#i%al fe!ini"!& *'i" i" w'at 'a# 'a$$ene#& In t'e 19>?'" wo!en 'a# )oine# t'e ra#i%al Mar+i"t ba"e# !o(e!ent" of re(olution, an# been treate# terribly by t'e ra#i%al !en& *'ey 'a# been #enie# a (oi%e, relegate# to !enial ta" ", an# u"e# "e+ually& 2roun# 19@? a grou$ of ra#i%al wo!en "$lit off fro! t'e !en an# for!e# t'eir own grou$"& *'ey a$$lie# t'e ra#i%al Mar+i"t i#ea" t'ey 'a# learne# to t'e relation"'i$ between !en an# wo!en& *'e !o"t influential of t'i" wo!en wa" S'ula!it' Fire"tone w'o wrote t'e fe!ini"t %la""i% A*'e Diale%ti% of Se+B& <ou $robably 'a(e 'ear# of Si!one #e Beau(oir, Betty Frie#an, an# ,loria Steine!, but t'e real foun#er of ra#i%al fe!ini"! wa" S'ula!it' Fire"tone& *'e fe!ini"t" 'a(e e$t S'ula!it' in t'e a%a#e!i% %lo"et be%au"e "'e wa" "o ra#i%al& S'e a#(o%ate# t'e #e"tru%tion of t'e fa!ily, an# !arriage, total "e+ual liberation in%lu#ing t'e a%%e$tan%e of %'il#Ca#ult "e+ an# in%e"t, an# fin#ing a te%'nologi%al re$la%e!ent for $regnan%y&

Fire"tone a$$lie# t'e $'ilo"o$'y of Mar+ an# Engel", $arti%ularly t'e i#ea" foun# in a boo by Engel" entitle# A*'e Origin" of t'e Fa!ily, 6ro$erty, an# t'e StateB, to t'e "ituation of wo!en& Engel" an# Mar+ 'a# argue# t'at all 'i"tory i" t'e 'i"tory of %la"" "truggle ; t'e o$$re""or again"t t'e o$$re""e#, t'e owner again"t t'e wor er, an# t'e !an again"t t'e wo!an& Dla""i% Mar+i"! 'ol#" t'at originally t'ere wa" a %la""le"" "o%iety wit'out $ro$erty or fa!ily& 2%%or#ing to t'i" t'eory w'i%' i" totally wit'out foun#ation, in t'e beginning, in t'e Mar+i"t gar#en of E#en, !en #i#n't now t'ey were fat'er"& *'ey #i#n't a""o%iate# inter%our"e wit' %'il# birt' an# t'erefore t'ere were no fat'er'ea#e# fa!ilie" an# no in'eritan%e of $ro$erty t'roug' t'e !ale line& 2ll goo#" $a""e# fro! t'e !ot'er an# 'er fa!ily to t'e %'il#ren& But t'en t'e great e(il o%%urre#, t'e Mar+i"t original "in, !en #i"%o(ere# t'at t'ey were fat'er" an# t'ey %lai!e# t'eir rig't to t'eir %'il#ren an# t'e rig't to $a"" t'eir $ro$erty on to t'eir %'il#ren& Men en"la(e# wo!en in !arriage, "o t'at t'ey %oul# be "ure w'o t'eir %'il#ren were, an# t'i" %au"e# $ri(ate $ro$erty an# all t'e e(il" of o$$re""ion& For t'e %la""i% Mar+i"t, t'e"e e(il" %an be eli!inate# only w'en $ri(ate $ro$erty i" eli!inate#& *'e eli!ination of $ro$erty !u"t be %o!bine# wit' law" t'at !a e #i(or%e ea"y& 1o!en woul#n't nee# 'u"ban#", t'e "tate woul# $ro(i#e& 2ll wo!en woul# wor out"i#e t'e 'o!e, t'e "tate woul# $ro(i#e E4 'our free #ay %are& Illegiti!a%y woul# be a%%e$table "in%e t'e "tate woul# $ro(i#e for %'il#ren& :eligion woul# be eli!inate#, "in%e religion $ro!ote# t'e fa!ily& On%e t'i" wa" a%%o!$li"'e# t'e great an# won#erful %la""le"" "o%iety woul# e!erge, an# $eo$le woul# finally be free& Of %our"e, no Mar+i"t "o%iety e(er "u%%ee#e# in %reating a %la""le"" "o%iety& *'ey 'a(e all been #i"a"ter"& *'e ra#i%al fe!ini"t" were not #eterre# by t'e failure" of %la""i% Mar+i"! or t'e failure" of Do!!uni"t "tate"& *'ey felt t'at t'ey un#er"too# t'e %au"e of t'o"e failure"& *'e Mar+i"t 'a# fo%u"e# on t'e e%ono!i% i""ue", but a%%or#ing to Mar+i"t t'eory, t'e fir"t o$$re""ion wa" %au"e# by !arriage& 1o!en were t'e true o$$re""e# %la""& *'erefore, to eli!inate o$$re""ion an# "uffering it woul# be ne%e""ary not to 'a(e an e%ono!i% %la"" re(olution but a "e+ %la"" re(olution& Fire"tone write". So that just as to assure elimination of economic classes requires the revolt of the underclass (the proletariat) and in a temporary dictatorship, their seizure of the means of production, so to assure the elimination of sexual classes requires the revolt of the underclass (women) and the seizure of control of reproduction: the restoration to women of ownership of their own bodies, as well as feminine control of human fertility, including both the new technology and all the social institutions of childbearing and childrearing !nd just as the end goal of socialist revolution was not only the elimination of the economic class "privilege# but of the economic class "distinction# itself, so the end goal of feminist revolution must be, unli$e that of the first feminist movement, not just the elimination of male "privilege# but of the sex "distinction# itself: genital differences between human beings would no longer matter culturally& 5Now li"ten to t'e re"t of t'i"8 $oly!or$'ou" $er(er"ity woul# $robably "u$er"e#e 'etero;, 'o!o;, bi; "e+uality&

*'e re$ro#u%tion of t'e "$e%ie" by one "e+ for t'e benefit of bot' woul# be re$la%e# by at lea"t t'e o$tion of artifi%ial re$ro#u%tion& D'il#ren woul# be born to bot' "e+e" e-ually or in#e$en#ently& *'e #e$en#en%e of t'e %'il# on t'e !ot'er an# (i%e (er"a woul# gi(e way to a greatly "'ortene# #e$en#en%e on a "!all grou$ of ot'er" in general an# any re!aining inferiority to a#ult" in $'y"i%al "trengt' woul# be %o!$en"ate# for %ulturally& *'e tyranny of t'e biologi%al fa!ily woul# be bro en& *'e fe!ini"t !o(e!ent 'a" t'e e""ential !i""ion of %reating %ultural a%%e$tan%e of t'e new e%ologi%al balan%e ne%e""ary for t'e "ur(i(al of t'e 'u!an ra%e in t'e twentiet' %entury& *'e goal i" %lear ; Man be%o!e" 5an# 'ere "'e -uote" Engel"8 *'e Lor# of Nature, !a"ter of 'i" own "o%ial organiFation&

Fe!ini"! i" a war again"t A6atriar%'yB ; fro! t'e wor# 6ater, t'e ,ree for fat'er& 1'ile we are all o$$o"e# to abu"e of fat'er'oo#, t'e failure of fat'er" to i!itate ,o# t'e fat'er, w'ile it i" i!$ortant to %all !en to re$entan%e, to %all t'e! to i!itate t'e lo(ing !er%iful fat'er'oo# of ,o#& *'at i" not t'e fe!ini"t goal& *'e fe!ini"t" want to eli!inate fat'er'ea#e# fa!ilie" an# e(ery in"titution were !en a%%e$t re"$on"ibility for $rote%ting an# $ro(i#ing for wo!en& S%ri$ture "ay" 4I ben# !y nee before t'e Fat'er fro! w'o! e(ery fat'er'oo# 5$atria ; fa!ily8 in 'ea(en an# on eart' ta e" it" na!e&4 2ll fat'er'oo#, all fa!ily i" roote# in ,o#'" fat'er'oo#, a" t'e /oly Fat'er 'a" $ointe# out in AMulieru" Dignatete!B an# in 'i" re%ent letter to fa!ilie"& Fat'er'oo# i" !en laying #own t'eir li(e" for wo!en an# %'il#ren& *'i" "o%iety #oe"n't "uffer fro! too !u%' fat'er'oo#9 it "uffer" fro! too little& *'e e(il" %o!e not fro! t'e fat'er'oo# of !en, but w'en !en faile# to a%t a" true fat'er"& *'e fe!ini"t analy"i" i" non"en"e& 1o!en aren't going to be better off w'en t'ere are no fa!ilie"& *'ere i" no e(i#en%e t'at any of t'i" will wor & Fro! t'e beginning t'e goal" of fe!ini"! were %lear. #e"tru%tion of $atriar%'y9 %ontrol of re$ro#u%tion in%lu#ing %ontra%e$tion, abortion, an# re$ro#u%ti(e te%'nologie"9 #e"tru%tion of t'e fat'er'ea#e# fa!ily wit' #i(or%e an# illegiti!a%y !a#e nor!al9 all wo!en in t'e wor for%e, no !an able to "u$$ort 'i" fa!ily an# free E4 'our #ay %are9 #e"tru%tion of all;!ale in"titution"9 total "e+ual liberation in%lu#ing "e+ for %'il#ren, 'o!o"e+uality, an# bi"e+uality9 #e"tru%tion of wor"'i$ of ,o# a" fat'er& Fro! 19@? to t'e $re"ent #ay t'e fe!ini"t !o(e!ent 'a" wor e# to a%'ie(e t'e"e goal"& :a#i%al fe!ini"t" are fir!ly entren%'e# in t'e uni(er"itie", in t'e !e#ia an# now in t'e go(ern!ent& Liberal fe!ini"t" an# non;fe!ini"t" 'a(e been #ri(en out& *'e ra#i%al fe!ini"t" 'a(e %ollaborate# wit' "e+ual liberationi"t", wit' $o$ulationi"t", wit' 'ater" of religion, $oliti%al liberal"& *'ey 'a(e 'i##en t'eir $ur$o"e" an# wor e# "tealt'ily alway" ee$ing t'eir goal in !in#& *'e late"t battle i" being foug't o(er t'e Dairo Donferen%e of $o$ulation& Joy%elyn El#er" i"

a "$o e"wo!an for t'e i#eology& 1'en I fir"t %a!e u$on all t'i" I wa" afrai# t'at I !ig't to e+aggerating t'e fe!ini"t $oint of (iew, "o I went to "e(eral %a!$u"e", Dolu!bia, Notre Da!e, 1a"'ington 3& an# #i"%u""e# t'e i""ue" wit' "tu#ent"& I foun# t'at t'ey #enie# none of w'at I %'arge# an#, in fa%t, 'a# gone beyon# A*'e Diale%ti% of Se+B& I wa" gi(en t'i" boo A,en#er *rouble. Fe!ini"! an# t'e Sub(er"ion of I#entityB by a %onfu"e# "tu#ent at Sal(e :egina& It i" al"o being u"e# at Brown& 1'ile t'e boo i" written in al!o"t un#e%i$'erable #e%on"tru%te# language, after one learn" t'e language, one #i"%o(er" t'at t'i" boo tea%'e" i". t'e %ategorie" of "e+ are "o%ial %on"tru%tion" #e"igne# by !en to o$$re"" wo!en an# t'at we 'a(e to get ri# of t'e! an# of %o!$ul"ory 'etero"e+uality& In ot'er wor#", t'ey are tea%'ing our %'il#ren t'at !en !a#e u$ t'e i#ea t'at 'u!anity i" #i(i#e# into !ale" an# fe!ale"& 1'at t'ey want to #e%on"tru%t i" "e+ual i#entity& *'ey want t'e ulti!ate %'oi%e. to %'oo"e w'et'er t'ey are !ale or fe!ale or "o!et'ing el"e or not'ing in $arti%ular& *'i" i" an all out war on reality an# on t'e ,o# of reality& 1e are t'e ene!y& *'ey 'a(e no #e"ire for %o!$ro!i"e& *'ey want to #e"troy e(eryt'ing t'at we belie(e in fa!ily, fait', e(en our i#entity a" !en an# wo!en& *'ey wor by $laying on re"ent!ent& If you rea# fe!ini"t literature, you will fin# t'e boo " follow a "et $lan& *'e o$ening %'a$ter lay" out t'e fe!ini"t agen#a, u"ually -uoting Engel" an# Fire"tone, t'e %on%lu#ing %'a$ter lay" out t'eir agen#a for %'ange, an# t'e !i##le i" #e(ote# to %ataloguing all t'e e(il" t'at !en 'a(e #one to wo!en& I will tell you fran ly after rea#ing t'e"e %atalogue" of %o!$laint, you 'a(e to 'a(e 'eroi% (irtue not to gi(e in to re"ent!ent& Of %our"e, none of t'e "in" of wo!en again"t !en are !entione#& *'i" i" w'y at t'e beginning I e+$laine# 'ow ne%e""ary it i" t'at t'e "in of re"ent!ent 'a(e no $la%e in u"& If we 'arbor our own $er"onal re"ent!ent", t'e"e %atalogue" will re!in# u" of our own "uffering" an# we will not be able to "ee 'ow we are being !ani$ulate#& I 'a$$en to 'a(e been a 'i"tory !a)or an# a" I rea# t'e"e litanie" of "in" again"t wo!en, I %oul# "ee t'e #i"tortion" of 'i"tory, t'e total inability of t'e"e writer" to un#er"tan# t'e li(e" an# %'ara%ter" of wo!en #ifferent fro! t'e!"el(e", wo!en li e you an# I, w'o lo(e# ,o#, fa!ily, "er(i%e& But to t'o"e wit'out 'i"tori%al ba% groun# t'e in(entory of offen"e" i" (ery %on(in%ing& I %oul# fill (olu!e" %orre%ting t'e error" $ro!ote# by fe!ini"t" w'i%' 'a(e been tran"for!e# into %onte!$orary !yt'"& *'e !o"t %o!!on, an# I a! "ure you 'a(e all 'ear# it, i" t'e i#ea t'at t'e D'ur%' #i#n't or#ain wo!en in t'e fir"t %enturie" be%au"e it wa" %ontrary to t'e a%%e$te# $ra%ti%e of t'e ti!e", but now t'e ti!e" 'a(e %'ange# an# we "'oul# or#ain wo!en& *'e fa%t are totally #ifferent. e(ery religion of t'e $erio# 'a# $rie"te""e" e+%e$t Ju#ai"!& 1'en t'e %'ur%' bro e wit' Ju#ai"! an# !o(e# out into t'e ,ree worl#, not'ing woul# 'a(e been !ore "i!$le t'an to a#o$t t'e $agan $ra%ti%e of $rie"te""e"& *'ere were 'ereti%al %ult" w'i%' "$rang u$ w'i%' or#aine# wo!en, an# t'e"e were %on#e!ne# by t'e D'ur%', $art of t'e e(i#en%e again"t t'e!, t'at t'ey 'a# or#aine# wo!en& Mot'er go##e""e" an# fe!ale #eitie", were %o!!on #uring Bibli%al ti!e"& Many fe!ini"t t'eologian" 'a(e $rai"e# t'e"e religion" a" (ali#ating wo!en'" e+$erien%e& But t'e"e go##e"" religion" were 'ar#ly $ro;wo!an& *'eir ritual" in%lu#e# !ale an# fe!ale te!$le $ro"titution an# t'e "a%rifi%e of li(ing %'il#ren& *'e"e "o%ietie" a%%e$te# $olyga!y an#

t'e !i"treat!ent of wo!en& *'e fe!ini"t" wor fro! wit'in, by infiltrating t'e bureau%ra%y of t'e %'ur%'e"& 2 few !ont'" ago 6rote"tant fe!ini"t" 'el# a %onferen%e& *'ey #enie# t'e fat'er'oo# of ,o# an# t'e atone!ent& Fe!ini"t t'eologian, Mary /unt, w'o "$o e at t'e %onferen%e 'a" "ai#, 4D'ri"tianity i" an abu"i(e t'eology t'at glorifie" "uffering& I" it any won#er t'at t'ere i" "o !u%' abu"e in !o#ern "o%iety w'en t'e #o!inant i!age of t'eology of t'e %ulture i" of '#i(ine %'il# abu"e' ; ,o# t'e fat'er #e!an#ing an# %arrying out t'e "uffering an# #eat' of 'i" own "on0 If D'ri"tianity i" to be liberating for t'e o$$re""e#, it !u"t it"elf be liberate# fro! t'i" t'eology&4 2n# 4I belie(e t'at life $lea"ure an# )u"ti%e are to be (alue# e-ually, t'at t'e ,o# of %reation i" at t'e "a!e ti!e t'e ,o##e"" of $lea"ure, an# t'e "$irit of )u"ti%e&4 1'at are we to #o0 Fir"t, lea# wo!en to re$ent of en(y an# unforgi(ene""& *'i" i" t'e "oil in w'i%' t'e"e i#ea" ta e root& Se%on#, we !u"t "tu#y t'e "%ri$ture" an# t'e tea%'ing" of t'e D'ur%', $arti%ularly t'e writing" of t'e $re"ent /oly Fat'er on t'e"e i""ue" an# %onfor! our !in#" to t'e !in# of ,o#& 2" it "ay" in 6aul'" letter to t'e 6'ili$$ian", 4/a(e t'i" !in# in you w'i%' wa" in D'ri"t Je"u" w'o #i# not t'in e-uality wit' ,o# a t'ing to be gra"$e# but 'u!ble# 'i!"elf an# be%a!e obe#ient e(en unto #eat' #eat' on t'e %ro""&4 *'e letter" of 6aul are not "o!e !i"ta e& *'ey are t'e wor# of ,o# in"$ire# by t'e S$irit& 1e %an't rea# t'e Bible wit' fe!ini"t "%i""or"9 we !u"t rea# it a" t'e wor# of ,o#& I really en%ourage all of you to learn to rea# ,ree & It i"n't all t'at #iffi%ult& I now you !ay 'a(e 'a# #iffi%ulty wit' language in "%'ool, but rea#ing a language i" only one fift' of w'at you 'a# to learn in "%'ool& <ou #on't 'a(e to learn to "$ea it or un#er"tan# it w'en it i" "$o en& <ou aren't going to be 'ol#ing a %on(er"ation wit' any fir"t %entury ,ree ", an# you aren't going to be writing t'e! letter"& Bibli%al ,ree i" !u%' "i!$ler t'an %la""i% ,ree an# 'alf t'e noun" are %ognate"& If you are going to now t'e 1or# of ,o#, it i" 'el$ful to now w'at t'e wor#" really !ean& *a e for e+a!$le t'e -ue"tion of "ub!i""ion, 41i(e" "ub!it to your 'u"ban#"4& *'e wor# in ,ree i" 'u$ota""o& It i" $ri!arily a !ilitary ter! 4to ran un#er4& It i"n't about being a wi!$y wea wo!an& It 'a" t'e feel of a Marine "alute& It #oe"n't i!$ly inferiority, but or#er& I 'a(e argue# wit' fe!ini"t" about t'i"& 41'y,4 t'ey a" , 4"'oul# wo!en "ub!it04 Don"i#er, I re$ly& t'e ot'er $o""ibilitie". t'at t'e fa!ily woul# 'a(e no 'ea#& *'i" woul# re"ult in %onfu"ion an# %ro""e# $ur$o"e", two $eo$le %an't "ol(e t'ing" by a (ote& ,i(e t'e %'il#ren a (ote, an# t'e $arent" woul# 'a(e to lobby t'e %'il#ren& 1it'out a %lear 'ea#, we #on't 'a(e e-uality but tyranny of t'e !o"t "tubborn, t'e !o"t "elfi"', t'e one w'o won't gi(e& 41ell4, !y fe!ini"t o$$onent" retort, 41'y "'oul# it be t'e !an0 2ren't "o!e wo!en !ore %a$able t'en t'eir 'u"ban#"04 *o t'i" I agree, "o!e wo!en are !ore %a$able of lea#er"'i$ t'an t'eir 'u"ban#"& Men are not gi(en 'ea#"'i$ be%au"e t'ey 'a(e !erite# it, it i" t'eir a""ign!ent& 1e woul#n't want a %onte"t in e(ery !arriage to #eter!ine w'o wa" a better 'ea#& 1'o woul# be t'e )u#ge0 Furt'er!ore, e(ery D'ri"tian !u"t "ub!it ; "tan# un#er ; "o!eone el"e& 1'o are !arrie# wo!en to "tan# un#er, "o!eone el"e'" 'u"ban#, anot'er wo!an0 *'e alternati(e" are terrible& /ea#"'i$ i" re"i"te# i"

be%au"e 'ea#"'i$ 'a" been abu"e#& 1e nee# to atta%

t'e abu"e&

Fe!ini"t" "ay it" about $ower, but t'ey #o not un#er"tan# w'ere $ower %o!e" fro!& In ,ree t'ree wor#" are tran"late# $ower& Grato" ; ,o#'" !ig'ty ar!, $ower an# "trengt'& Duna!i" ; $ower or t'e !anife"tation of t'e /oly S$irit& E+ou"ia ; $ower or aut'ority& Now fe!ini"t" %an 'ar#ly be %o(eting rato", we aren't going to %o!$ete wit' ,o# or e(en !en in ar! "trengt'& Duna!i" w'i%' i" t'e root for t'e wor# #yna!ite, 'a" alway" been e-ually a(ailable to !en an# wo!en, t'erefore t'ey !u"t be loo ing for e+ou"ia ; aut'ority $ower& But w'ere #oe" aut'ority $ower %o!e fro!& *'e "tory of t'e %enturion gi(e" u" a %lear e+$lanation of e+ou"ia& *'e %enturion "ay" to Je"u", 4Lor# I a! not wort'y t'at t'ou "'oul#e"t %o!e un#er !y roof but "$ea t'e wor# only an# !y "er(ant "'all be 'eale# for I a! a !an un#er aut'ority 5e+ou"ia8, 'a(ing "ol#ier" un#er !e an# I "ay to t'i" one ,o an# 'e goet' an# to anot'er %o!e an# 'e %o!et' an# to !y "er(ant #o t'i" an# 'e #oe" it&4 1'at #i# t'e %enturion un#er"tan# t'at 'e 'a# greater fait' t'an Je"u" 'a# foun# in all I"rael& /e un#er"too# t'at aut'ority $ower %o!e" fro! obe#ien%e to 'ig'er aut'ority& /e wa"n't obeye# be%au"e of 'i" !ig't ar! or 'i" wining $er"onality, 'e wa" obeye# be%au"e Dae"ar "at in :o!e& *rue aut'ority %o!e" fro! obe#ien%e to t'o"e ,o# 'a" $ut o(er u" an# all aut'ority $ower ulti!ately %o!e" fro! ,o#& My "on i" a Marine offi%er an# 'e 'a" e+$laine# to !e t'at t'e offi%er #oe"n't u"e t'o"e un#er 'i!& /e i" re"$on"ible for t'eir $rote%tion& /i" $ower i" not a $er"onal fief#o!, it i" "er(i%e& 2 wo!an nee#" to "ub!it, be%au"e "'e nee#" a "our%e for 'er own aut'ority, "'e nee#" to be $art of t'e %'ain of %o!!an#& 2 wo!an "ay" to 'er %'il#ren, 4Do it be%au"e your fat'er "ay" "o&4 S'e "ay" to t'e $lu!ber 4Do it rig't be%au"e !y 'u"ban# i" (ery $arti%ular4& S'e #oe"n't "tan# alone, "'e 'a" aut'ority& S'e "tan#" un#er an# t'erefore "o!eone i" "tan#ing be'in# 'er, ba% ing u$ 'er wor#" $rote%ting 'er& For t'e wife in t'e 'o!e, t'ere i" no ot'er "our%e of aut'ority, but 'er own 'u"ban#& Of %our"e, if t'e 'u"ban# abu"e" t'e wife, 'e i" in t'e "a!e $o"ition a" an offi%er w'o i""ue" illegal or#er", 'e #oe"n't 'a(e to be obeye#& If a !an w'o tell" 'i" wife to get an abortion, t'e D'ri"tian wife "'oul# 'a(e no $roble! "aying 4No way4& It i" t'o"e w'o #o not un#er"tan# obe#ien%e an# aut'ority, w'o 'a(e no 'ig'er $ower to a$$eal to an# get tra$$e# in abu"i(e relation"'i$"& Fe!ini"t t'eology i" not only a liberation t'eology, it i" al"o Mo#erni"t& It #enie" re(elation& Fe!ini"t" #o not belie(e t'at ,o# 'a" "$o en& *'ey belie(e t'at t'e "%ri$ture" an# tea%'ing" of t'e D'ur%' are t'ing" w'i%' !en !a#e u$ to o$$re"" wo!en an# if wo!en were $rie"t" or bi"'o$" t'ey woul# !a e u$ #ifferent t'ing" ;religion i" )u"t a "o%ial %on"tru%t& For t'e! we aren't !a#e in ,o#'" i!age an# li ene"", !en !a#e ,o# fat'er in t'eir i!age an# li ene"" an# now t'e fe!ini"t" want to rei!age ,o# a" !ot'er& For fe!ini"t" liberation i" free#o! fro! i!aging ,o#, t'e ulti!ate rebellion& 1e !u"t re"$on# to t'i" by a%%e$ting t'e true 'u!an (o%ation to li(e a" i!age" an# li ene"" of ,o# our fat'er& For !y"elf I ne(er 'a# any $roble! wit' a fat'er ,o# or Je"u" a" "on, I %an "ing fait' of !y fat'er" an# rea# about t'e "on" of ,o# wit'out feeling t'e lea"t bit e+%lu#e#&

2ll 'u!an being" i!age ,o#, 'i" fat'er'oo# in%lu#e" 'u!an fat'er'oo# an# !ot'er'oo#& But wo!en are %alle# in a "$e%ial way to be a "ign of t'e D'ur%' a" (irgin, bri#e, an# !ot'er& Now we %an "ee w'y t'e Marian !o(e!ent i" "o i!$ortant in t'e"e la"t #ay", be%au"e 'ere i" t'e an"wer, Mary t'e $erfe%t wo!an, Mary a "ign in t'e 'ea(en", Mary, e(er Hirgin, Mot'er of ,o#, Mot'er of t'e D'ur%'& Hirginity i" not )u"t about ne(er 'a(ing "e+& *'e (irgin i" an e"%atalogi%al "ign ; "'e i" t'e wo!an waiting for 'er 'u"ban#, ee$ing 'er"elf $ure for 'i!, a" t'e D'ur%' wait" for t'e %o!ing of D'ri"t& E(ery 'u!an bri#e i" li e t'e New Jeru"ale! w'o #e"%en#" fro! 'ea(en arraye# li e a bri#e for 'er 'u"ban#& *'e w'ole "ong" of "ong" i" a %elebration of t'e lo(e between t'e bri#egroo! an# t'e bri#e, t'e "y!bol of D'ri"t'" lo(e for t'e %'ur%' t'e !y"ti%al union of t'e "oul wit' ,o#& If 'u!an lo(e i" to i!age ,o#'" lo(e, it !u"t be $ro%reati(e t'at i" w'y %ontra%e$tion i" "o alien to t'e !arital union, w'y abortion i" "u%' an abo!ination& *'e lo(e of ,o#, of w'i%' 'u!an lo(e between 'u"ban# an# wife i" t'e i!age, %reate"& 2n# on%e life 'a" been %on%ei(e# it !u"t be nurture# an# fee#& *'e !ot'er in t'e 'o!e i" an i!age of t'e D'ur%'& *'e Mot'er'" e(ery#ay a%tion" are t'e $attern an# $re$aration for t'e "a%ra!ental life of t'e D'ur%'& S'e wa"'e" t'e %'il#, fee#" 'i!, %onfir!" 'i" (o%ation, forgi(e" 'i" "in", 'eal" 'i" 'urt"& 1o!en are t'e %on"tant an# e(ery#ay "ign of t'e %'ur%'& 2n# t'o"e wo!en %alle# to %eliba%y are e(en !ore a "ign of t'e %'ur%', a" (irgin an# bri#e an# a" "$iritual !ot'er"& Barren wo!en are a "ign of t'e D'ur%' w'o t'oug' barren be%o!e" t'e !ot'er of !any& E(en t'e #e"erte# wife i" a "ign of t'e D'ur%' a" t'e $ro$'et I"aia' "ay"& 4For 'e w'o 'a" be%o!e your 'u"ban# i" your Ma er, 'i" na!e i" t'e LO:D of 'o"t", t'e LO:D %all" you ba% li e a wife for"a en an# grie(e# in "$irit, a wife !arrie# in yout' an# t'en %a"t off&4 E(ery wo!an i" %alle# to a "ign of t'e lo(e of ,o# !anife"t in worl# a" t'e %'ur%', for t'e %'ur%' i" not an organiFation, but a wo!an, a (irgin, a bri#e, a !ot'er& It i" not enoug' for u" to %o!e 'ere an# %ling to Mary li e frig'tene# %'il#ren in t'e !i#"t of great a "tor!& Ju"t a" "'e i" t'e "ign for t'i" age, we !u"t be a "ign an# i!age of ,o#'" lo(e !a#e !anife"t& ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; *'e ele%troni% for! of t'i" #o%u!ent i" %o$yrig'te#& Do$yrig't 5%8 *rinity Do!!uni%ation" 1994& 6ro(i#e# %ourte"y of. *'e Dat'oli% :e"our%e Networ *rinity Do!!uni%ation" 6O Bo+ 7>1? Mana""a", H2 EE11? Hoi%e. @?7;@91;E=@> Fa+. @?7;@91;4E=? Data. @?7;@91;477> *'e Dat'oli% :e"our%e Networ i" a Dat'oli% online infor!ation an# "er(i%e "y"te!& *o brow"e D:NE* or )oin, "et your !o#e! to I #ata bit", 1 "to$ bit an# no $arity, an# %all 1;@?7;@91;477>& ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;