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What do you think of "biblical wifely submission"? (As spoken of by Mike Huckabee: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004119261_debate11.html)”

Asked by Uhura on 16th January 2008

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Comments so Far...

I think it's just another way for men to try to dominate women..

Flag as inappropriate Posted by Mississippi Songbird on 10th February 2008
No offense to anyone, but I really thought we'd gotten out of the dark ages. I try to respect other peoples' religion and beliefs BUT this is SO bizaare. I come from a LONG line of very independent women, going back at least 6 generations, from a rural area where women were mostly uneducated and stayed strictly at home. So, I guess you could call my family an anomoly. However, I really have to seriously question any woman who would put herself or think of herself as anything less than an equal.

There's a line in Big Fat Greek Wedding that says "The man may be the head of the house, but the woman is the neck and where the neck turns, the head goes."

Flag as inappropriate Posted by JDaffron on 30th January 2008
I personally think it is the worst idea out there. If we all practice that doctrine, we would have probably stayed in the ice age!. Women who are independent, open, self suficient, loving, caring, outgoing, and mind spoken, are the ones that get ahead and succeed. I understand that in a household everyone plays a role, but everyone is a team not in a manager and secretary relationship. I respect certain religions that encourage submission, but do you think those women who cannot do anything by themselves are happy even on the long run? think about it.

Flag as inappropriate Posted by superdupermom on 24th January 2008
MaryP-Good point. Human nature being what it is-the old addage applies: Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

As far as personal beliefs entering into the curent political landscape-Personal beliefs do affect how an elected official discharges his or her duties. Honestly-I would rather know up front, and I am glad this info about Huckabee was made public.

Flag as inappropriate Posted by Uhura on 19th January 2008
I spent a lot of years in a church that promoted this model of husband-wife relations, and I lived it for a lot of years. I think, generally, it's a terrible idea.

Even the kindliest of men can become a despot when he knows that really, the buck stops with him always. My first husband was NOT the kindliest of men, and, despite my prayers and sincere attempts to behave as I was told I should, it degenerated from partnership through neglect to verbal abuse and finally, to physical. And even then, after 12 years of marriage, the last few of which involved physical abuse, there were still people telling me I just needed to pray more and leave it to God.

Not all men will do that, obviously. But why could we not both submit (i.e. respect and hear) each other, and both, if you're a people of faith, submit to God, equally?

But you know what? Mostly, I think it's just bizarre that this is raised during a political debate. What on EARTH are his private beliefs doing in the public forum?

Flag as inappropriate Posted by MaryP on 18th January 2008
I saw a really good discussion about this at Maijikthise... here's the link: http://majikthise.typepad.com/majikthise_/2008/01/huckabee-called.html

Personally speaking, the idea of biblical wifely submission isn't part of my own belief system. But I have a lot more respect for the women who choose to follow this doctrine than I do for a male politician who insists that it's the only right way for women to live their lives.

Flag as inappropriate Posted by Lylah M. Alphonse on 18th January 2008