Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Conservatism and Women's Rights/Feminism

by John

The nomination of Sarah Palin as the Republican vice presidential candidate provides an opportunity to highlight the role that Christian principals have played in the conceptualization of women’s rights.

From the perspective of world history, women have been viewed with a quiet disdain or, in the worst cases, as possessions to be bought, sold, or discarded. The historical record is replete with examples of women being relegated to subservience and abuse. Sadly, women still suffer under oppressive societies to this day. However, in this country, informed by Christian principals, women enjoy a status equal to their male counterparts. Though this nation may have been slow in acknowledging the true status of women, the seeds for this enlightenment were always there.

Despite what pundits may say, this country is still rooted in Christian tradition. Perhaps, then, we should begin at the beginning. The book of Genesis is about beginnings. The first verse begins with the only rational epistemological presupposition possible, “In the beginning God.” More to our point, Genesis describes God’s view, in the Christian tradition, of woman. God made woman from man and God made woman in his image just as man was made in God’s image. (Genesis 1:26, 27) This single statement carries profound implications. In an age where men ruled in absolute, the statement that women were created, just as men, in God’s own image was positively revolutionary. Here we find the basis for the concept of individual rights. Individual rights, not granted by the state, but individual because of mans’, and womans’, inherent value as bearing the image of God. This concept forms the theoretical basis for all of our founding documents. It is the essence of our national way of life. Without individual rights, the Bill of Rights cannot exist. The rights we commonly know, freedom of speech, press, etc., would not exist apart from the concept set forth in the book of Genesis. No other religious tradition can claim it, the enlightenment thinkers didn’t invent it, nor did the ancient Greek democracies understand this essential truth.

The political struggle we see unfolding is not about race or sex but about the eons old struggle between humanism and Christian principal. The conservative movement finds its guiding tenets in Judeo-Christian principals, where God is understood as the first principal. The left operates from a worldview that is humanistic, where man has formed a golden image in his own likeness. Humanism has produced all of history’s twisted philosophical horrors. Humanism produced the barbarism of the French Revolution; biblical principals produced the free republic of the American Revolution.

While the Democratic party flounders in the cesspool of humanisms’ philosophical detritus, the Republican party clings to some of the Divine principals that made America possible and which enable a woman to ascend to the high office of Vice President. The left would attempt to highjack Christian principal to suit their agenda, while the principals of the right form the basis for a woman’s inherent right to stand in equal position to her male counterparts.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I read your story online today and applaud you standing up for what you believe is right and to defend the type of person we need to see more of in Washington DC.

Her record of accomplishment is fantastic, her perspective is a breath of fresh air, and she's got guts.

My wife and I think Sarah Palin is exactly what this country needs to help McCain.

Anonymous said...

I doudt Sarah Palin is dumb she wouldn't be were she is if she was. but on the other hand OBAMA'S mother was young when she got pregnant with him then married the father and he dumped her and him so that is a great thing right? so I guess your not voting for him either. you must be a left winger. why dont you democrats follow what kennedy said dont ask what your country can do for you but what can you do for your country he knew all to well thats the way the democrats think that the government owes them something. and another thing you shouldnt judge people that is for god to judge people not you.

Anonymous said...

Since this is my blog, I have the right (imagine that!!!!???) to remove trash talking if it is over the line. And the vast majority of liberals that post here are. If you wish to leave a comment, make it about the issues and not what you read in the latest issue of the Enquirer. I will not have you calling Sarah Palin or John McCain a bunch of names. It's uncalled for, and it's why the above posts have been removed. Go someplace else to spread your trash.

Anonymous said...

Timothy 2:9-15
9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.