For weeks as we’ve watched the Roy Moore saga unfold, I’ve been thinking about what to say. Or rather what not to say.
As the founder of PROJECT2031, I can tell you, we’ve been very careful to avoid politics. Not wanting to rock the boat, or seem to be taking sides at least not politically. But Roy Moore and others like him are in the news every day, and yet nothing is heard from Christian women. Unless of course, they’re Democrats, who seem to be the only men willing to admit to sexual harassment or assault.
For years, we’ve been told if we just stay in our place, focus on our biological gifts, and leave the world of men to men, then all will be well.
We listen to James Brown belt “it’s a man’s world” and take hope from the lyric “but it don’t mean nothing without a woman”. And think, “Isn’t that sweet? See men love us. They respect us”. We encourage women to prove their femininity through dependence, to yield economic and spiritual control to the men in their lives and hope and pray for the best. Like Sarah.
Yet ironically, if there’s one thing I’ve noticed in my travels, it’s this…
the more religious a society, the worse its women can expect to be treated. Especially those hovering on the fringes of said society.
There is something happening, right now. And the fact that I don’t hear anything from Christian women, particularly conservative Christian women makes me wonder. Is it fear or willful and necessary ignorance? Are we protecting our own interests?
Or are we so invested in the curse of Eve that we read Scripture to mean that women deserve whatever they get?
And perhaps our assumption is that if these women were at home, where they’re supposed to be, then these things wouldn’t happen. Really?
The Truth
We live in a country where the quality of woman’s life largely depends on luck.
… where American women are 11 times more likely to be murdered with a gun than women in any other developed nation. Where a woman is fatally shot by a current or former partner every 16 hours.
…where 1 in 3 women experience domestic violence.
…where one in four will be sexually assaulted or raped, most before the age of 18. Where in 36 of our 50 states, a rapist can claim parental rights, but we’ll castigate a woman for even daring to think about an abortion.
…where we advertise proudly the many medications for ‘erectile dysfunction’, but selectively legislate birth control and when women can have it and when they can’t.
And I think the question for Christian women is simple,
Where will we stand?
The Challenge
Ask yourself: What should we think about men who are being accused of inappropriate or illegal behavior?
Why do we seem comfortable with the accusations against Harvey Weinstein or Matt Lauer, but seek to make Roy Moore the exception? Why does he get the benefit of the doubt, but these other men do not? Why are non-Christian men being held to account, while Christians make exceptions and excuses? Why are we afraid to insist that Christian men live up to the standard of loving “our wives as Christ loves the church and gave himself for it?” Even if it costs an election. Or a tax break.
Are we afraid of what we’ll find?
Be Strong and of Good Courage
Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is action in spite of fear. And in moments like this, courage matters.
So, what will we do? Will we run and hide? Will we continue to provide cover for men simply because they are men? Or because they are ‘our’ men? Will we be moved by the suffering of other women in other countries, yet refuse to challenge the status quo here at home? Will we stand for what we know to be the truth? Or will we look for reasons and ways to avoid confronting “evil” simply because it’s in our own house?
Or will we listen to the Spirit’s voice and stand for truth? For justice…for women?
I challenge the Christian women in Alabama. Think long and hard as you go to the poll. Look at your daughters and think about the world you want for her. A world in which she’s afraid to go to work? Afraid to leave her house? A world in which she neither can nor should have any expectations of the men around her?
Think about the world you want for her and vote. Vote your conscience. Vote your heart. Vote the truth.
