Does god want women to submit to abusive relationships?

[Major Nikon]

Southern Baptist leader says women must submit to abusive relationships

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/southern-baptist-leader-pushes-back-after-comments-leak-urging-abused-women-to-pray-and-avoid-divorce/ar-AAwvUYN

[TBA]

1. According to my former pastor

Yes.

One reason I am now an atheist.

[blueinredohio]

2. My ex father in law was a freewill Baptist preacher and he treated his wife very well.

When his son and I got a divorce he didn't take his side either. He said he didn't blame me and adultery is wrong. I always said if there's a heaven he must be there, he was a good man all around but he was not a southern Baptist. Nevertheless I'm now an agnostic.

[Major Nikon]

3. I suspect even among Southern Baptists this isn't a universal attitude

Nevertheless there's no shortage of Christians who teach the biblical principle of divorce = adultery, and tell spouses in abusive relationships they are going to sin if they get a divorce. I suppose the idea of so many of them seeking amateur marriage counseling from the church is testament to the power of religion.

[Mariana]

9. The thing is, Jesus never said divorce is adultery.

He said remarriage after divorce is adultery, except when the other spouse's adultery was the reason for the divorce.

[Major Nikon]

11. True

But if the object wasn't to get remarried, there would be no biblical reason for divorce other than adultery.

[Mariana]

8. In the Bible, Jesus made an exception for adultery

in his condemnation of divorce. Adultery is a valid reason to divorce one's spouse. Jesus made no such exception for physical abuse.

[MineralMan]

4. If thy husband smites you on the cheek, turn your head

so that he might smite you on the other, for he is your husband.

(Note: this is a paraphrase of multiple verses from the New Testament, not a direct quote. If it had been a direct quote, I would have referenced the book, chapter and verse.)

[Major Nikon]

5. The best thing about ancient religious tomes is you can interpret anyway you like

It's also simultaneously the worst thing about them.

[MineralMan]

6. They can also be translated to suit particular needs.

Even edited if the proposed Canon requires changes.

[Major Nikon]

7. True, the trinity doctrine is entirely based on a fraud

The earliest versions of the first epistle of St. John contained no mention of the trinity, yet this was inserted into later versions. The RCC eventually admitted the fraud, but still claims the doctrine takes precedent over the bible text. In other words their entire empire is built upon a fraud they can't let go of. Anyone who believes in the trinity will find no evidence of it in the most accurate translations of the earliest canon. I guess that's what "belief" is for. It really doesn't matter if it's true. It only matters if you believe it's true.

[MineralMan]

10. When the RCC put together the Biblical Canon,

they customized it to suit their own needs. This went in, the other didn't and what was chosen was carefully edited to suit particular requirements.

Since it was all a bunch of words written long after the actual events that were supposed to have occurred, what did it matter, really? Now, almost two millennia later, few know the difference and even fewer care. Religion is what it is. It's useful in keeping the masses comfortable and compliant until they die. What more does one need?

[Major Nikon]

12. There's a good reason why other gospels were destroyed

...and access to those that weren't was limited. Governance becomes much simpler when you are the only one who possesses the truth.

[MineralMan]

13. Yup. The Biblical Canon is a political document, put together

a very, very long time ago. We're still using it, despite having no connection to the politics then and there. It's amusing, really, if you think about it.

[Major Nikon]

14. Not to forget...

the history of burning people at the stake for heresy and forcibly converting millions. Then there's using it to justify wars of aggression, bigotry, xenophobia, misogyny, slavery, Jim Crow, anti-miscegenation, etc.

So yes, the nefarious political uses go on and on, but we can only point out the peaches and cream parts of organized religion, otherwise we are guilty of violating the most sacred "11th commandment". I'll be sure to put myself on report and suggest you do the same.

[Lordquinton]

15. A few years back there was a woman who published a book linking God's Love

to an abusive relationship. The parallels are stark, but the outrage was sufficient enough to make her stop it's publication.

The love me or else message that is given out from the bible when taught to children is internalized to accept abusive situations, as long as they say they love you. It's harmful and is responsible for a huge flaw in society, and it's defended everywhere, even here.

[Major Nikon]

16. The problem is you just don't believe in redemption

The best part about being a Christian is you can do whatever you want so long as you ask for forgiveness.

[Lordquinton]

17. I believe redemption needs restitution before forgiveness

and that no one is required to give that. There's huge pressure to forgive people who have done terrible things upon request without that intermediate step.

But I suppose I'm just a literalist or something.

[Iggo]

19. "Apologies are for children. Grown-ups make amends." -- Iggo.

Last edited Tue May 1, 2018, 12:57 AM - Edit history (1)

[Iggo]

18. God want us all to submit to an abusive relationship...

..with HIM!