My mom called it a “Dorothy Hammel.” I didn’t know Dorothy, but I thought, “OK.”

I don’t remember liking the haircut. And, I distinctly remember an older man calling me a little boy.

I hated that! And from that point on, I wore dresses every day to kindergarten.

I love how completely finished every blog you write is. You are a much more patient blogger than I ever could be.

When thoughts come to your mind you allow them to linger with knowledge, understanding, Biblical worldviews and opinion. While you clearly state your views you don’t stop there.

The facts you give to support your conclusions not only help the reader understand your opinions but they also help readers to look into the topic themselves and to question what are the facts for my beliefs.

Thank you for being such a thorough blogger/ writer. Your work is always worth reading….hmmm, just what our current newspapers need, something worthy of the ink it takes to print.

As for feminists, it is true that not all self-proclaimed feminists are promiscuous and obsessed with their sexual natures. They are still women, both physically and emotionally, and take offense at being portrayed as objects of sensual gratification for men. In fact, feminists are often the first to cry foul over things such as beauty pageants, which some of them have said parade and judge women “like cattle”. But oddly enough, feminism is what has paved the way for women to be exploited (which I will explain in a moment).

“Gentle” feminists probably do not fully realize what philosophy they are actually subscribing to. Feminism was largely promoted in the name of giving women “reproductive rights” so that they could have more freedom (power) in their sexual relationships. They assumed this was achieving equality with men, because after men are involved in affairs, it is sometimes easier for them to “get away with it” because they were not at risk of becoming pregnant. Nowadays, feminism is a driving force behind abortion, birth control and sex education in schools…in fact, now there is even a vaccine offered (and practically forced upon young girls) to prevent the STD cervical cancer. Directly or indirectly, most of these inventions are in some way aimed at giving women omnipotence over their lives, which is what satan originally tempted Eve with in the garden.

As Jennie Chancey pointed out,

“Eve was the first feminist, because the heart of feminism is ‘not what GOD says; what I say’.” (She explained that is really the heart of every “ism” there is).
- http://bit.ly/3W5PFw

I should have explained that most feminists espouse heightened carelessness more so than seductiveness. Feminists basically embrace and encourage the negative feelings that all of us women have in our fallen natures. For instance, I mentioned how it feels “unfair” at first for women to have to be concerned about dressing modestly, while men don’t have to worry that much about the way they dress.

Once a female soccer player jerked her shirt off after a victorious goal, following the tradition of male soccer players. It was a shock, but I remember hearing one woman’s response to the event was something to the effect of,

“I think a woman should be able to take her shirt off whenever she wants to. The men do it all the time!”

That sounds like the feminist view point to me – heightened carelessness towards men, because they firmly believe that men have historically displayed carelessness towards women.

I think that the Cyclical Irony of Feminism could be demonstrated like this (maybe Eric can make a circular graphic for me):

CONFLICT [Recognizing a problem or inconvenience and not understanding how to handle it wisely] ► REBELLION [Against submission, "confines" or "constraints" of family or society as an attempt to fix the problem or inconvenience] ► INDEPENDENCE [Attempting to support oneself omnipotently - regardless of the fact that isn't possible - to gain individuality and choice] ► EXPLOITATION Over-confidence in oneself results in carelessness and shamelessness (such as the view of femininity presented by Demi Moore) and without a healthy sense of shame and fear, many more traps are walked into, which brings us back to ► CONFLICT.

Katie brought up a good point about Christians “comparing themselves favorably to Muslims”. I think there could be problems with this not just regarding Islam, but many other views as well. If we as Christians focus more on being anti-everything-non-Christian instead of presenting the Way, the Truth and the Life, we’ll be a bunch of clanging cymbals again.

No, I don’t think that the case for Christianity requires the bashing of other religions because it is powerful enough in Christ alone (though of course, the truth does need to be spoken and sometimes it hurts at first). Contrasts do help illustrate, and I think that sometimes careful, direct opposition to a philosophy is necessary for explaining that there is a better way. But we do have to be wary of bashing the people – I think that “peaceful” Muslims are much like “gentle” feminists – they don’t realize what heritage they’re subscribed to, and thus don’t know there is a better way (either that or they’re just being quiet about it).

My main intention in bringing up Islam was to provide a vivid contrast that would connect with readers in light of the recent debacle in Iran. I wanted to express the freedom we have in Christ vs. the bondage of those who don’t know Jesus is the Messiah (as a side note, Muslims are really and truly the descendants of Hagar the bond-woman through her son Ishmael).

I think this contrast is also very striking between the nations founded in Islam and America, which was founded in Christianity’s principles of freedom. The U.S. may have strayed from its roots, but that is only because of the lack of responsibility needed for such great freedom. Many Americans have heightened carelessness in regards to national issues.

I hope that explains things better. I might write more if I think of something later.

~Amanda~

Secondly, I am wary of some Christians’ habit of comparing themselves favorably to Muslims. Now I am a Christian and not a Muslim, and I have my reasons for that. Still, such statements seem more polarizing than gracious. Do you think that contending for truth requires directly opposing other religions? That is a challenging question for me.

I submit these thoughts respectfully as food for thought, and I appreciate all the thought you’ve already put into this matter. Please don’t take my comments as criticism, as I certainly don’t intend them in that way.

In this present world it is sad that men think they can do that and women think that they are portraying their ‘strength’ by showing off their skin and curves.

How odd you were asked what cult you were in. I haven’t heard that line before. Have you written anything more detailed about how to respond when people ask questions like that?

Once, while visiting the doctor’s office, our doctor smiled and said to me, “I remember when everyone “dressed up” to go to the doctor.” LOL I was wearing a denim skirt and my daughter was in her play clothes!

I think dressing in a lovely and feminine way communicates not only femininity, but respect, dignity, and joy.

Thank you again for sharing!

“But now that you know God–or rather are known by God–how is it that you are turning back to those WEAK and MISERABLE PRINCIPLES? Do you wish to be ENSLAVED by them all over again?” ~ Galatians 4:9

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” ~ Galatians 5:6

Amanda, this is honestly the BEST blog I’ve ever read on this matter. It is a truly, CHRIST-centered perspective. As Christin A. posted above, our freedom-in-Christ does not justify abuse of freedom or apathy towards holy living. On the other hand, we must avoid a LAW-centered perspective on life that promotes judgmental, Pharasaical legalism rather than “faith expressing itself through love.”

I hope more brothers and sisters in Christ will apply such thinking to all things!

I also really want to say thank you for not telling us how to dress. I hate it when people try to shove their “dress code” down my throat. Asking what Jesus would think of of my outfit is much more effective than saying what you think of it. That’s a lesson I myself need to keep in mind…

Thank you for your thoughts. I have been in puzzlement/frustration about this “Modesty Issue”. I love your writing style: very clear, precise, and challenging! Thank you,

Leahna

“You, my brothers [sisters], were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather serve one another in love.” -Galatians 5:13