A New (Biblical?) Breed of Feminism

A New (Biblical?) Breed of Feminism

Conservative Evangelicals have instinctively abhorred the feminist movement, though perhaps the more Hellenistic variety of Evangelicalism has been deeply influenced by its central message. Perhaps this divergence can be best seen in two Evangelical societies, both with large constituencies. The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood represents a more historic (er, I mean Conservative) interpretation of Biblical teaching whereas Christians for Biblical Equality represents a decidedly non-patriarchal approach. Underlying both is a major cultural force: radical atheistic feminism. In many ways, both societies are a reaction against as well as an accomodation to this pervasive ideaology--though in diverse ways to to differing degrees. CBMW seeks to recognize the mistakes of traditionalistic patriarchalism, which they say radical feminism rightly hated, even while attempting to embrace a softened, biblical form of gender role distinctions. CBE, conversely, admits that radical feminism has gone too far, but affirms its core message which denies any natural distinction in gender roles. It seems these two Evangelical groups are in a deadlocked war, entrenched with neither side being able to retreat nor claim victory.

Perhaps Sarah Palin can come to our rescue! (Yes, that is partially tongue-in-cheek). I came across this article by Camille Paglia on Palin's version of feminism. I'm not sure which society Mrs. Palin would join if given the chance. If what Camille describes is truly feminism, it is a feminism I can live with. Camille Paglia writes:

Here’s one episode. My father and his visiting brother, a dapper barber by trade, were standing outside having a smoke when a great noise came from the nearby barn. A calf had escaped. Our landlady yelled, “Stop her!” as the calf came careening at full speed toward my father and uncle, who both instinctively stepped back as the calf galloped through the mud between them. Irate, our landlady trudged past them to the upper pasture, cornered the calf, and carried that massive animal back to the barn in her arms. As she walked by my father and uncle, she exclaimed in amused disgust, “Men!”

Now that’s the Sarah Palin brand of can-do, no-excuses, moose-hunting feminism–a world away from the whining, sniping, wearily ironic mode of the establishment feminism represented by Gloria Steinem, a Hillary Clinton supporter whose shameless Democratic partisanship over the past four decades has severely limited American feminism and not allowed it to become the big tent it can and should be. Sarah Palin, if her reputation survives the punishing next two months, may be breaking down those barriers. Feminism, which should be about equal rights and equal opportunity, should not be a closed club requiring an ideological litmus test for membership.