Tag: biblicalfeminity

Posted on in Bible, biblicalworldview, challenges, christianfaith, christianpatriarchy, deconstruction, faith, history, LDSchurch, mormoninfluencers, newagetojesus, podcast, scripture, socialjustice, theology, womenssuffrage, wordofgod

Nostalgia,The Trad Wife Movement, and the Illusion of a Simpler Time

Nostalgia has always been a powerful psychological force, often serving as a coping mechanism during times of uncertainty or rapid change. In recent years, its resurgence could be linked to various social and cultural factors, including economic instability, political polarization, and the overwhelming pace of technological advancements. However, nostalgia isn’t just about reminiscing; it’s a complex emotional response that plays a significant role in our psychological well-being.

The Psychology of Nostalgia: Comfort in Uncertainty

Nostalgia was once viewed as a negative emotion, associated with homesickness or a longing for the past. However, modern psychology recognizes it as a complex, bittersweet experience that can foster a sense of continuity, meaning, and identity. Nostalgia tends to emerge more during periods of transition or distress, offering comfort by reconnecting individuals with a perceived “better” or simpler time.

Nostalgia serves as a mental protective mechanism. Through a process known as “rose-colored retrospection,” people tend to recall the past in a more favorable light than it might have actually been. This selective memory process can result in an idealized version of the “good ol’ days,” where negative aspects are minimized or forgotten, and positive experiences are amplified.

Nostalgia as a Tool for Emotional Regulation

Interestingly, nostalgia isn’t just a passive experience; it can be consciously invoked to regulate emotions. When people deliberately recall positive memories, they can stabilize their mood, reduce anxiety, and increase a sense of control over their current situation. This is because the past, as we remember it, is fixed and unchangeable, offering a sense of predictability and safety that contrasts with the unpredictability of the future.

Nostalgia also acts as a psychological anchor during times of upheaval or change. By tapping into nostalgic memories, individuals can create a mental environment that feels familiar and safe, reducing the anxiety that comes from unpredictability. This sense of predictability is particularly comforting during periods of rapid change, as it provides a mental sanctuary in a chaotic world.

The Trad Wife Movement: Nostalgia as Identity Anchoring

The rise of the Trad wife movement—a trend where women embrace traditional gender roles and domesticity—can be understood as a form of nostalgia-driven identity anchoring. In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, many women (and men) find comfort in returning to what they perceive as a more stable, moral, and ordered past.

For some, adopting the Trad wife lifestyle is a way to reconnect with what they believe to be a more “authentic” version of femininity or womanhood. This version is often based on an idealized image of the past that emphasizes domestic skills, submissiveness, and clear gender roles. By embracing these ideals, individuals may feel that they are preserving a core part of their identity that they believe has been lost or undermined by modern society.

The Dangers of Nostalgia-Driven Resistance

While nostalgia can provide comfort and continuity, it can also serve as a form of resistance against social progress. The Trad wife movement often emerges in response to the perceived erosion of traditional values due to feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, and other social changes. In this context, nostalgia becomes a way to resist or reject modernity by clinging to a past that is seen as morally superior or more “natural.”

This selective use of nostalgia can reinforce regressive social norms and create tension between those who long for the past and those who advocate for continued social change. By idealizing a past that may never have truly existed as we remember it, the Trad wife movement and similar trends risk promoting an illusion that can hinder progress and inclusivity.

Conclusion: Navigating Nostalgia with Awareness

Nostalgia is far more than mere longing for the past. It’s a sophisticated psychological tool that individuals can harness to enhance their well-being, regulate their emotions, and maintain a sense of control. However, it’s important to approach nostalgia with a critical eye, recognizing that the past may not have been as perfect as we remember it.

The Trad wife movement, driven by nostalgia, may offer comfort in a rapidly changing world, but it also risks perpetuating outdated and harmful gender roles. By understanding the psychology behind nostalgia, we can better navigate its influence in our lives and make more informed choices about how we engage with the past—and the future.

Want to learn more about the complex interplay between nostalgia and modern social movements like the Trad wife trend? Tune into this week’s episode of Taste of Truth Tuesdays where we dive deep into this topic.
https://youtu.be/15kgRldlqoY?si=L_uToPjGIQTf_kIl

Posted on in Bible, biblicalworldview, challenges, christianfaith, deconstruction, faith, JesusChrist, mental health, newagetojesus, podcast, scripture, spiritualabuse, testimonies, theology, wordofgod, worldview

Understanding Hypermasculinity: Impacts on Society and Mental Health

Hypermasculinity is a psychological term describing the exaggeration of male stereotypical behavior, emphasizing traits such as physical strength, aggression, and sexuality.

It involves an overemphasis on traditional masculine traits and behaviors, often to the exclusion of traits considered less traditionally masculine, such as empathy and emotional expression.

Hypermasculinity can lead to harmful behaviors and attitudes, including misogyny, homophobia, and violence, and is often perpetuated by cultural norms and media representations.

🏴‍☠️A Meta-analysis of 39 studies found hyper masculinity to be one of the most powerful predictors of men’s likelihood to commit assault. 🏴‍☠️

Pastors like Mark Driscoll, John Piper, John MacArthur, Steven Furtick, Robert Jeffress (to name a few) emphasize traditional masculine characteristics while downplaying traits that they perceive as “soft” or non-conforming to traditional gender norms.

Hyper masculinity within the church can take various forms including:

1. **Emphasis on Aggression**: Promoting the idea that men should be aggressive, assertive, and dominant, which can lead to conflict and hostility rather than fostering understanding and compassion.

2. **Rigid Gender Roles**: Enforcing strict gender roles where men are expected to be the leaders and decision-makers while women are relegated to supporting roles, limiting both men and women’s potential within the church.

3. **Resistance to Vulnerability**: Discouraging men from showing vulnerability or seeking help, leading to emotional repression and isolation, which contradicts the Christian values of empathy and support.

4. **Denigration of Feminine Traits**: Devaluing traits traditionally associated with femininity, such as sensitivity or nurturing, and promoting a narrow view of masculinity that excludes these qualities.

5. **Preoccupation with Power and Control**: Focusing excessively on maintaining power and control within the church hierarchy, rather than promoting humility, servanthood, and cooperation.

6. **Misuse of Scripture**: Misinterpreting or selectively using biblical passages to justify patriarchal structures and behaviors, rather than interpreting them in a way that promotes equality and mutual respect.

Conservative churches EVERYWHERE may perpetuate hypermasculinity through various means, including:

  1. Gender Role Expectations: Conservative churches often promote traditional gender roles where men are expected to be strong, assertive leaders while women are expected to be nurturing and submissive. This reinforcement of rigid gender norms can contribute to the perpetuation of hypermasculine ideals.
  2. Preaching and Teaching: Sermons and teachings in conservative churches may emphasize masculine traits such as dominance, power, and control, while downplaying or devaluing traits traditionally associated with femininity. This messaging can reinforce hypermasculine behaviors and attitudes.
  3. Leadership Structure: Conservative churches may have hierarchical leadership structures where men hold positions of authority and power, while women are excluded from leadership roles or relegated to supporting roles. This reinforces the idea that leadership and authority are inherently masculine qualities.
  4. Socialization of Boys: Conservative churches may socialize boys from a young age to conform to hypermasculine ideals through youth groups, boys’ clubs, and other activities that emphasize competitiveness, toughness, and aggression.
  5. Response to Change: Conservative churches may resist societal changes that challenge traditional gender roles and masculinity, leading to a reinforcement of hypermasculine attitudes in response to perceived threats to traditional values.

Overall, conservative churches can contribute to the perpetuation of hypermasculinity through their teachings, practices, and socialization processes, which can have harmful effects on individuals and communities.

I hope by providing these examples it helps to illustrate how hyper masculinity within the church can distort Christian teachings and harm both individuals and the community as a whole.

#genderroles#biblicalwomanhood#biblicalmarriage#biblicalmanhood#deconstruction#deconstructioncommunity#traditionalgenderroles#tradwife#biblicalmasculinity#calvinism#submission#womensupportingwomen#genderequality#explorepage#marriage#johnmacarthur#markdriscoll#johnpiper#churchlife#chuches

SOURCES:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1054139X17308571

To learn more about hypermasculinity and its societal impact, you can explore various academic journals, books, and online resources. Here are some recommendations:

  1. Academic Journals:
    • “Psychology of Men & Masculinities”
    • “Men and Masculinities”
    • “Journal of Gender Studies”
    • “Feminism & Psychology”
  2. Books:
    • “The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love” by bell hooks
    • “Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men” by Michael Kimmel
    • “Angry White Men: American Masculinity at the End of an Era” by Michael Kimmel
    • “The Macho Paradox: Why Some Men Hurt Women and How All Men Can Help” by Jackson Katz
    • “Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys” by Dan Kindlon and Michael Thompson
  3. Online Resources:
    • Websites of organizations like the American Psychological Association (APA) or the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) often have articles and resources related to masculinity and mental health.
    • TED Talks and YouTube channels featuring talks by psychologists, sociologists, and activists discussing masculinity and its impact on society.
    • Online forums and communities where individuals share personal experiences and insights about masculinity and gender roles.

These resources provide a range of perspectives and insights into hypermasculinity and its effects on individuals and society.

Posted on in Bible, biblicalworldview, christianfaith, deconstruction, faith, holistic health, JesusChrist, mental health, nervous system, new age spiritual, newagetojesus, podcast, scripture, spiritualabuse, theology, wordofgod, worldview

Challenging Complementarianism in the Church: Uncovering Harmful Gender Ideologies

The idea of biblical womanhood is more about human power structures than the message of Christ. When we examine church history, we can challenge the notion that this belief is inherently biblical.

In the early Christian church, there are several examples of female apostles and leaders:

  1. Mary Magdalene: Mary Magdalene is one of the most prominent figures in the New Testament and is often referred to as the “apostle to the apostles.” She was present at Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection, and she was the first to witness the risen Christ and announce his resurrection to the disciples.
  2. Priscilla: Priscilla, along with her husband Aquila, played a significant role in the early Christian church. They are mentioned several times in the New Testament, often as fellow workers with Paul. Priscilla is commended for her teaching and ministry alongside her husband.
  3. Junia: Junia is mentioned by Paul in his letter to the Romans as being “outstanding among the apostles.” This indicates that she held a significant leadership role in the early church and was recognized by Paul as a fellow apostle.
  4. Phoebe: Phoebe is mentioned by Paul in his letter to the Romans as a deaconess or servant of the church in Cenchreae. She is commended for her service to the church and is likely to have held a leadership role.

These are just a few examples of the many women who played important roles in the early Christian church as apostles, leaders, and ministers. Their contributions highlight the diversity and inclusivity of the early Christian community.

The conservative ⛪️ promotes dangerous ideologies-women submitting to men aka Complementarianism.

This ideology has connections to movements like the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW), which promotes complementarianism and traditional gender roles within conservative Evangelicalism.

This started the rise of New Calvinism, spearheaded by influential figures such as John Piper, John MacArthur, and Mark Driscoll, further reinforcing these gender roles. 🚩

Female gender norms that emphasize tenderness over assertiveness hinder women’s ability to assert themselves and address unfair treatment effectively.

🚨 Women submitting to their husband is a dangerous ideology. 🚨

A major cause of s*xual mistreatment is societal: the structural inequality that gives men power over women. 

The IFS report that showed that conservative highly religious men were far more likely to perpetrate intimate partner violence.

🏴‍☠️A Meta-analysis of 39 studies found hyper-masculinity to be one of the most powerful predictors of men’s likelihood to commit assault. 🏴‍☠️

Couples where the husband dominated decision-making were 2.6 times more likely to experience lower marital satisfaction compared to those who made decisions collaboratively.

This is why ab*se is so common in the ⛪️.

It’s the theology that’s bad. Not just how it’s interpreted.

As I’ve said before, it was deeply painful, realizing I had been influenced by the dangerous lies behind Nancy Pearcey’s book The Toxic War on Masculinity. Which was heavily promoted by David Wolcott, Alisa Childers, Alexa Clark & Frank Turek, who are often associated with right-wing fundamentalist Christianity. 🚩

She said “There’s no need to debate complementarianism or egalitarianism when it comes to marriage” 𝔸𝕔𝕥𝕦𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕪 ℕ𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕪, 𝕎𝕖 𝔻𝕠! Pearcey pulls findings from Gottman’s work, citing that in both egalitarian & hierarchical marriages “emotionally intelligent husbands have figured out the one big thing: how to convey honor and respect.” Thus, she claims, labels don’t matter.

However, she omits to mention the big finding Gottman uses to frame this entire chapter: Complementarian men only do well when they don’t act out hierarchy and put aside their beliefs. You can’t claim beliefs in complementarianism are irrelevant by quoting someone who found acting out those beliefs is disastrous.

This is only ONE of the major criticisms of the book pointing to the lack of empirical evidence to support the claims made in the book, particularly regarding the alleged “war on masculinity.” For more read this!

🚨 We should consider the consequences of promoting ideological narratives without empirical support. 🚨

The liberation of women from oppression is crucial for fostering a more equitable and just society.

When women are liberated, they can fully contribute their talents, perspectives, and skills to all aspects of life, including politics, economics, and culture. This liberation not only benefits women individually but also lead to societal progress by dismantling systemic barriers and promoting inclusivity.

Moreover, when women are empowered, it creates a ripple effect, positively impacting families, communities, and future generations. Ultimately, achieving gender equality and women’s liberation is essential for building a more prosperous and harmonious world for all.

Sources: Sheila Wray Gregoire and Joanna Sawatsky

For more ℹ️
•The Bible vs Biblical womanhood by Philip Payne critically examines the concept of “biblical womanhood” and challenges traditional interpretations of scripture that restrict the roles and authority of women in the church. Payne argues that many teachings on gender roles are based on cultural assumptions rather than biblical principles. He examines key passages in the Bible that are often used to support the subjugation of women and offers alternative interpretations that affirm the equality and dignity of women. Payne’s work is a scholarly exploration of the biblical texts related to gender and offers a fresh perspective on the role of women in the church and society.
•Man and Woman, One in Christ: An Exegetical and Theological Study of Paul’s Letters by Philip Barton Payne Philip Barton Payne is a comprehensive exploration of the biblical teachings regarding gender equality and roles within the Christian community. Payne examines Paul’s letters with a focus on understanding the true meaning behind passages often used to support hierarchical gender relationships. He argues that Paul’s writings affirm the equality of men and women in Christ and that traditional interpretations promoting male authority over women are based on misunderstandings or misinterpretations. Payne provides exegetical analysis and theological insights to support his argument, offering a scholarly perspective on gender equality within the church. Overall, the book challenges traditional views on gender roles and provides a compelling case for the equality of men and women in Christ.
•Terran Williams’-How God Sees Women-explores the biblical perspective on the role and value of women in Christianity. Through a careful examination of scripture, Williams challenges traditional interpretations that have marginalized women and restricted their participation in religious life. He argues that God views women as equal partners with men in his divine plan and emphasizes the importance of empowering women within the church. Williams’ work offers a refreshing and inclusive perspective on gender equality within Christianity, inviting readers to reconsider their understanding of women’s roles in faith and society
•The Making of Biblical Womanhood How the Subjugation of Women became Gospel Truth by Beth Allison Barr This book explores the historical development of gender roles within Christianity. Barr delves into the roots of traditional teachings on gender roles, revealing how they evolved over time and became ingrained as gospel truth. Drawing on historical research, Barr challenges the notion that traditional gender roles are biblical, arguing that they are instead products of cultural and theological developments. She examines key historical figures and events that shaped these teachings, shedding light on the ways in which women’s roles have been subjugated within the church. Ultimately, Barr advocates for a more egalitarian interpretation of scripture and a reevaluation of traditional teachings on gender within Christianity. Her book offers a thought-provoking critique of gender hierarchy in the church and calls for a reexamination of biblical womanhood.
•Marg Mowczko’s work focuses on biblical studies and gender equality within Christianity. Through her writing and research, she explores various passages of scripture to challenge traditional interpretations that have limited the roles of women in the church. Mowczko argues for a more inclusive understanding of women’s participation in ministry, leadership, and theological scholarship. She highlights the presence of female leaders, apostles, and prophets in the early Christian church, advocating for their recognition and empowerment in contemporary religious communities. Mowczko’s work contributes to ongoing discussions about gender equality and biblical interpretation, inspiring readers to reevaluate their understanding of women’s roles in faith and spirituality.

MORE SOURCES: The IFS report that showed that conservative highly religious men were far more likely to perpetrate intimate partner violence (p. 36):
-https://ifstudies.org/ifs-admin/resources/reports/worldfamilymap-2019-051819.pdf
-https://baptistnews.com/article/do-complementarian-men-do-better-a-response-to-nancy-pearcey/
-https://leo-cruz.medium.com/nancy-pearcey-pt1-44f98c2a3602

#deconstruction#deconstructioncommunity#genderroles#biblicalfemininity#biblicalwomanhood#biblicalwomanhood#badtheologykills#calvinism#womenempowerment#women#womensupportingwomen#explorepage