>>>As it relates to organizational structure - yes an employee is subordinate to their superior. But, as it relates to the value of a person - as a person - they are not inferior - they are not less of a person just because they're an employee. That's the point. Women are not less of a person - just because they're women. They are, however as an organizational model subordinate to their husbands and their church leadership.
>>>
>>>Seriously, do you still not understand that???
>>
>>I understand what you're saying. I just think you're wrong. Marriage is a partnership of equals. Each should take the lead in the areas in which he or she has the strongest skills.
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>>In a religious setting, I see no reason why only men should be the leaders, and wouldn't belong to a religious group that operated on that principle.
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>>Tamar
>
>That's the sort of response I'd rather see than the accusations that have been flying around here - thanks!
>
>I have no problem with people disagreeing with me. My whole purpose in this was to correct some things that were said about what people like me believe - not to condemn anyone of to convert anyone - just to clarify.
>
>Also, just so you'll know, we operate in this way (men only in church leadership) because that's what we believe the Bible to say is propoer. Again, you can agree or not - but that's the reason...

Hi Howard.

The problem as I see it is context. We all pretty much reason, interpret, and conclude the things we do because they fall in with our beliefs. What came first, the chicken or the egg? You have stated on many occasions that your interpretation of what the Bible is saying is the correct interpretation. I think we both understand that such a statement is in the context of your beliefs. But see, there's the rub. You state that you hold the beliefs you do because of how you interpret the Bible. To a large extent, I think it is more the reverse. You're certainly not alone in that, but I think what bothers me most about it all is that an intelligent man, and believe me, I do not hang out in that crowd that thinks you're stupid, could hold beliefs, regardless where they originate, that are so contrary to the value we should all place in the potential and realised contributions that anyone can make to our society whether male, female, black, white, etc. etc. People like Madame Curie or Susan B. Anthony or Grace Hopper had valuable contributions to make for all of our benefit. It would have been a horrible waste of their potential to have forced them to stay home barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen.

Think of it this way. God Gave women minds. They should not be stifled. That men who wrote the Bible were so fearful for their masculinity should not be used as an excuse to block the fulfillment of anyone's potential.