Misogyny on Display

In a recent random post, I wrote that I would love to get Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on a wrestling mat – I would make him cry for his mommy and his daddy. I wrote this glib comment in response to yet another example of Hegseth disrespecting and verbally demeaning a woman in a press briefing. The reason? She dared to ask him a difficult question. She had the audacity to use her First Amendment rights of free speech and freedom of the press. Props to her; she went right back at him with more questions, defending what she said. I have just seen that thousands of people on social media have responded positively to this simple post. It seems that others agree that bullies should be confronted.

We have experienced bullying from the Trump administration for years now (for example, grab them by the ___); Mr. Trump consistently tries to embarrass women he feels are challenging him. He has done this occasionally to men as well, but my own experience of seeing him in public situations has shown that he prefers to bully women. I have yet to see Mr. Hegseth do this to a man – if you know of an example, please let me know. Not that this is okay either, but it also isn’t misogyny. Anyone paying attention knows that misogyny is everywhere, but I have never seen it in such full display as in recent years. This is toxic masculinity.

Unfortunately, there are biblical passages that support misogyny, even though Jesus never practiced it. In fact, Jesus went out of His way to acknowledge the equality of all people; it was as the church formed that some men decided to try to silence and control women. Women were told (and this isn’t all of the examples) to keep silent in church – that they would be saved through bearing children – that they should be obedient and, if they had any questions, to ask their husbands. Why would they do this if Jesus never gave them permission? I have no idea – but I do know that misogyny is not from God. Anyone who points to Scripture as proof of male superiority has not read the entire Bible, nor do they have any idea who Jesus is and what He stood for. Those parts of Scripture should be pointed out as false. Yup – I just wrote that. If every one of us is created in God’s image, then every one of us is equal in God’s eyes. And should be in each other’s as well. 

Prayer – Holy God, You have given us the Bible as a guide, not a weapon. Heal the hearts and ignorant minds of those who use You to make others feel unworthy. Amen.

Today’s art is from a University of Nottingham (UK) program called “Changing Minds”, part of the city’s Hate Crime work.

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