An article encouraging Churches to focus on Hostility - to attract Men!

[bloom]

Sounds like the writer wants to encourage sexism and the idea that men are a bunch of louts (or at least Republicans). As if only women (and liberals) are concerned with love and helping others. Hmmm. (Just like Lakoff).

I think that the basic Christian message was always about about nurturing - helping strangers and the like - and it's always been the authoritarian "wackos" who want to make it about war and hell and vengeance.

(Though the songs about romantic love with Christ sound pretty nuts - I've gotta admit).

---------------------------
The Feminization of the Church
Why Its Music, Messages and Ministries Are Driving Men Away

by Holly Pivec (Biola University - "A Global Center for Christian Thought and Spiritual Renewal."

A traditional explanation is that women are more spiritual than men. But the leaders of this new movement suggest that the church’s music, messages and ministries cater to women. One of the leaders is David Murrow, author of a provocative book Why Men Hate Going to Church (Nelson Books), who spoke with Biola Connections....

But, interestingly, the gender gap is distinct to Christianity, according to Murrow and Podles. Other religions seem to have a gender balance or even more men than women — including Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Islam, they said...

But Promise Keepers is now using more masculine tactics. The advertisements for their 2006 conference, titled “Unleashed,” depict flashes of lightening and say: “It is not about learning how to be a nicer guy. It's about becoming the powerful man God designed you to be.” Whether their new approach works remains to be seen.
“The more traditionally masculine side of Christianity enjoys crossing swords with hostile secular worldviews. So, as long as Christianity appeals to the emotional, therapeutic, interpersonal, relational areas, it’s not going to appeal to men as much as to women,” Pearcey said...

Many churches emphasize Jesus’ softer teachings, like his love and his desire to save, and they ignore the doctrines of sin and hell, according to Podles. But men dislike liberal Christianity — “a mild religion of progress and enlightenment” as opposed to a battle between good and evil, Podles said...

http://www.biola.edu/admin/connections/articles/06spring/feminization.cfm

linked @ http://www.reclusiveleftist.com/?p=242


What's up with the men who think this (hostility as a religion) is a good idea, anyway? That's what somebody needs to figure out.

And it doesn't say much for whatever church that would change their message to attract assholes.

[htuttle]

1. If what they really want is a more 'macho' religion...

...why don't they just start worshiping Thor or Ares again?

Heck, if it's machismo you're worried about, heaven would suck anyway. Valhalla is where you really want to be for the 'macho' afterlife...

[TallahasseeGrannie]

2. Oh for heaven's sake.

or something like that.

[ck4829]

3. Why did Harry Powell just come to mind?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverend_Harry_Powell

[Bob3]

4. Want guys to come to church? Why not just serve free Beer?

I figure their target demographic (louts and bullies and good ol' boys) will flock to the church to hear tales of how Jesus would beat the living shit out of nonbelievers and gays.

(edit damn Dislexia)

[azurnoir]

5. Free Beer served by

The Holy Hotties or Juggies for Jesus? The stripper who's ben "saved" her name is Heather Veitch I think

[DBoon]

6. FSM features a beer volcano and strippers

Men should become pastafarians

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

7. the problem isn't the church, its society's concept of men

Too many are taught that men are supposed to act like louts or they are not "manly". I can't help but think if Jesus were amongst us now, he would be called less than manly by some simply because of his basic humanity.

Interesting that in my Sufi Order and at the Dances of Universal Peace, there are usually equal numbers of men and women, and many times the men outnumber the women at the Dances. Could it be that they have decided to be themselves and have overcome societal stereotypes?

[charlie]

8. I don't know about all that

but there's a waaay creepy Freudian vibe to the book titles mentioned:

The Church Impotent: The Feminization of Christianity

Falling in Love With Jesus: Abandoning Yourself to the Greatest Romance of Your Life

[Goblinmonger]

9. Where do I sign up?

:hide:

[Goblinmonger]

10. Seriously

I think most mainline religions encourage sexism and misogyny. Most Abrahamic religions are based on a document that is inherently sexist because it reflects the times and MOST are unwilling to change the document.

And hey, most religions were formed in a time when men ruled the world more than they do now. Only the progressive religions adapted.

[Kailassa]

11. Why not embrace hostility and worship machismo?

It worked for the Ku Klux Klan.

And that is what the repukes and fundies are trying to turn Christianity into.

Let's pack heat and join the Jesus gang
He'll help us find some heathen to hang.

There are witches to burn and hoes to rape.
Then impale those darwinists who say we are apes.

Gays are called faggots because they should burn.
Blasphemers will swear as rotisseries turn.

Adulterers, drunks, and druggies too.
Haha, now it's your turn, we're coming for you.

But fuckers of mules? Country boys do what they can.
Hey quick, look over there. Time for nuking Iran!

[Solon]

12. Yeah, like that will work...

I'm one of those guys who moved away from Christianity partially because of its Misogynist, Masochistic tendencies.