Mike Luckovich for June 18, 2023

For those who claim to believe that the Bible is the literal, factual, inerrant, infallible “word of god,” the Southern Baptists who expelled churches for allowing female ministers technically have it right. They are simply obeying what the Bible says.

While Jesus reportedly (according to the Bible legends) lifted women up, the “apostle” Paul (more “apostate” than apostle), who contradicted Jesus on just about every point of law, doctrine, theology, morality or ethics, was the one who created an anti-woman fundamentalist version of Talibangelical “Christianity.” Paul was very anti-woman. He ordered that they not be allowed to speak in the churches (1Cor 14:34-35) and that they should stay home and take care of the kids (1Timothy 2:12; 5:14), and that wives should be submissive to the mastery of their husbands (Ephesians 5:22-24 and Colossians 3:18-19).

That isn’t me saying it; I don’t even agree with it. It isn’t even Jesus saying it. It is the apostate Paul. But for those who want to take the Bible literally (which is actually impossible given its many direct internal contradictions), yes, the literal Bible supports denying women leadership roles in churches.

The fact that a literal reading of the Bible, notably the letters of Paul, clearly does require a prohibition on women as ministers or even speaking in the church, is not a justification of the practices of subjugating women; it is a condemnation of interpreting the Bible literally or accepting it as being inerrant, infallible or literally factual.

Wait till they hit puberty then we’ll see who laughing

I used to be a Southern Baptist…but I’m feeling MUCH BETTER now!

Among the many Southern Baptists I have met many were among the most utterly unchristian and hypocritical people I have known and seen in action. To be very clear not all to be sure but those in that segment of Christianity certainly were not folks I would trust as far as I might have thrown them no matter how much I might have wished to throw them

History tells us that christians were persecuted and their faith was spread clandestinely — in people’s homes — by the mothers who spent more time with the children. It was when it was safe to openly admit to your beliefs that the men — seeing a new way to be an authority — took control.

And so the last friend women have in religion was the Christ himself, not those who claim to speak for him.

Just a few observations: 1. I, for one, believe that if God had intended women to be permanently subservient to me He would not have made them as smart (maybe smarter in some ways) as men. 2. In churches that do ordain women (many of the “mainline Protestant” groups) even skeptical men have been won over by the effectiveness of female clergy. If they’re not supposed to be ordained, how come they are so good at it when they are? 3. God may have inspired scripture, but I don’t believe he whispered the exact words in the writers’ ears… in any case, they were men of their times, not ours, and what they wrote reflects their understanding of the world, not ironclad truth forever.

My family was Southern Baptist, maybe some cousins still are. Uncle Jimmy was a hellfire & dam_ation, gun carrying preacher… you can’t make this stuff up. I think “Mrs. Davis” may have had the actual facts about Christianity…

Surprised Mike thought this was interesting. It is extremely tame for him.

Little men with little weiners.

Actually, they want the gurls up in the clubhouse to clean it and bring them meals.

Give them a few years!

The Baptists all want to become charter members of Calvin’s club, G.R.O.S.S.

Mike Peters once did a comic (decades ago!) with this same scene except the tree fort was a Catholic cathedral-shaped “fort” with signs saying “No girl priests,” and “girl priest stay out” (or words to that effect) with eyes peeking out from the windows…

Could be

when does the smiting begin

The He-Man Woman Haters Club will now come to order.

So many backward steps now days.

The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but allow very lively debate within that spectrum. That gives people the sense that there’s free thinking going on, while all the time the presuppositions of the system are being reinforced by the limits put on the range of the debate. ~Noam Chomsky

Is Calvin up there?

Religion is an evil superstition. —Lucretius

“apostate Paul”? using some kind of microsoft software ? By the way, due to poor editing, wasn’t god getting ready to destroy the world by flood a second time ?

Personally, I believe the Bible is a guide written by people who both do good and make mistakes. I feel that the real key to being a good Christian is to love God and all of humanity. Never think you are better than someone else. People who place themselves and greed above treating your neighbor with kindness are really very unhappy and already experiencing hell emotionally but people who show love and kindness to their neighbors (everyone) feel a sense of peace and love (Heaven on Earth).

Why am I not surprised?

I’m now even happier that I’m Lutheran.

“The letters of Paul”? Didn’t he get WOKE and change his name from Saul?

Well said

Support polytheism. Why have only one imaginary friend?

My opinion too; “The first priest was the first scoundrel to meet the first fool.” — Voltaire

… former Southern Baptist.