A Weblog Dedicated to the Discussion of the Christian Faith and 21st Century Life

A Weblog Dedicated to the Discussion of the Christian Faith and 21st Century Life
___
I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand. For this also I believe, –that unless I believed, I should not understand.-- St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109)

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Top Ten Reasons Why Men Should Not Be Ordained

As a male who is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, I very much support the ordination of woman. Nevertheless, there are those who do not; so I thought it might be interesting, based on the so-called sound reasons women should not be ordained, to give reasons why men should not be ordained either. I got these from somewhere, but for the life of me I cannot remember. If you know, please inform me. I want give credit where credit is due.

Top Ten Reasons Why Men Should Not be Ordained.

10. A man's place is in the army.


9. For men who have children, their duties might distract them from the responsibilities of being a parent.


8. Their physical build indicates that men are more suited to tasks such as chopping down trees and wrestling mountain lions. It would be "unnatural" for them to do other forms of work.


7. Man was created before woman. It is therefore obvious that man was a prototype. Thus, they represent an experiment, rather than the crowning achievement of creation.


6. Men are too emotional to be priests or pastors. This is easily demonstrated by their conduct at football games and watching basketball tournaments.


5. Some men are handsome; they will distract women worshipers.


4. To be ordained pastor is to nurture the congregation. But this is not a traditional male role. Rather, throughout history, women have been considered to be not only more skilled than men at nurturing, but also more frequently attracted to it. This makes them the obvious choice for ordination.


3. Men are overly prone to violence. No really manly man wants to settle disputes by any means other than by fighting about it. Thus, they would be poor role models, as well as being dangerously unstable in positions of leadership.


2. Men can still be involved in church activities, even without being ordained. They can sweep paths, repair the church roof, and maybe even lead the singing on Father's Day. By confining themselves to such traditional male roles, they can still be vitally important in the life of the Church.


1. In the New Testament account, the person who betrayed Jesus was a man. Thus, his lack of faith and ensuing punishment stands as a symbol of the subordinated position that all men should take.

No comments: