helemon
2nd October 2006, 08:21 PM
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23369342-details/Viewing+God+as+male+'contributes+to+domestic+abuse '+says+Church/article.do
A view of our relationship with God in terms of domination and submission, along with uncritical use of masculine imagery to characterise God, can validate "overbearing and ultimately violent patterns of behaviour" in intimate relationships, it said.
Harmful beliefs can also affect the response of churches when domestic abuse comes to light or reaches a critical point, the report added.
A spirituality of "self-denial" is often linked to a theology in which the survivor is urged to forgive the perpetrator and not to take remedial action against him.
Such an approach is "deficient" in many respects, the report notes, and in the context of abuse, to make forgiveness the top priority seems "perverse" when the welfare and safety of the person being abused is at a risk.
Wow! Do you think you would ever hear that kind of talk at General Conference?
A view of our relationship with God in terms of domination and submission, along with uncritical use of masculine imagery to characterise God, can validate "overbearing and ultimately violent patterns of behaviour" in intimate relationships, it said.
Harmful beliefs can also affect the response of churches when domestic abuse comes to light or reaches a critical point, the report added.
A spirituality of "self-denial" is often linked to a theology in which the survivor is urged to forgive the perpetrator and not to take remedial action against him.
Such an approach is "deficient" in many respects, the report notes, and in the context of abuse, to make forgiveness the top priority seems "perverse" when the welfare and safety of the person being abused is at a risk.
Wow! Do you think you would ever hear that kind of talk at General Conference?