And now, here we are again. Women in cities already seized by the Taliban are being put into forced marriages, beaten for using cell phones, and schools are closed. What is it about fundamentalism – Christian, Jewish, or Muslim – that hates women so much?
Hatred of women just as hatred of any group goes back to fear. What is it that these so-called brave men are so afraid of? Christian fundamentalists are no different; they just have other ways of subjugation. The fear of women is the driving force here. One would think that in the 21st century, things would have changed, but they haven’t.
Prayer for the Day
Leave us not in despair but send out your light, O God,
And let it lead me into deliverance from the evil round me.
Leave us not disconsolate, but send out your mercy, O God,
And let it lead me into the way of your steadfast love.
Break open the hope of a new world through you, O Lord,
So that we find shelter under your wings.
In the name of the One who was open to all,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen
Thoughts for the Day
Culture does not make people. People make culture. If it is true that the full humanity of women is not our culture, then we can and must make it our culture.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, from We Should All Be Feminist
In the nineteenth century, the central moral challenge was slavery. In the twentieth century, it was the battle against totalitarianism. We believe that in this century the paramount moral challenge will be the struggle for gender equality around the world.
Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, from Half the Sky
O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me;
Many are saying to me, “There is no help for you in God.”
But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory and the one who lifts up my head.
I cry aloud to the Lord and God answers me from the holy hill.
Psalm 3: 1-4