Hello Michele. I like this definition of feminism. The church's proclamation on the family declares the following: “All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose." In simple terms, gender is a sign. It is a sign that our Heavenly Father loves us and has great and amazing designs for each being he has conceived. Furthermore, gender is a sign of the priesthood. This isn't official doctrine, but women in essence have a key that sustains the priesthood. The covenant of marriage cannot simply exist without the blessings that women bring to it. Therefore, I think that marriage is an intrinsic component of the priesthood. Even women don't have the priesthood, they carry a part of it with them in a certain way.
So, with that being said, what is feminism (scratches head in deep epistemological thought)? I think that feminism today has been distorted by society and the media into something that it is not. I think that whenever we see a successful woman, we see someone who is a feminist.
I used to think that feminism was a bad word. I felt that the feminism movement from the sixties that received some negative connotations actually further disambiguified the line between men and women. Your definition of feminism posits a conceptual notion of an equality that supports men and women in existence of one another.
I think I know what I did not like about the 60's version of feminism. When a minority or majority is given rights or special treatment over others, something is taken away from someone somewhere else. I think that the definition of diversity provided by you gives us a something that respects the balance of diversity in respect between other people.
I think that God provides this through proxy sealing. There are single men who never get married also. Some of my most enduring friendships are with women, who have come into my life at the right time. They've shown me things that I can't learn from other guys.
Okay, so maybe my comment on nosurfgirl's blog about this wasn't the right idea after all. Maybe we should make "feminism" mean what it really does again.
words really are horribly subject to reification. They are what you think they mean. For instance, I have great amounts of angst toward those who call themselves "john birchers." I shouldn't, but I had some bad experiences growing up... and now I'm married to a whole family of them! I think we all understand how words can hold so many shades of meaning. I just think it's great to see why someone else has a different idea of a word, or concept. :) This is why we discuss it... so that we can think it through and see each others' perspective, and perhaps change our own views/feelings as a result.
Thank you all for this beautiful discussion. I really appreciate the posting by Michele's cousin (who ever you may be!), because it is such an honest portrayal of what so many of us struggle with. My brother, for instance, hates feminism and liberalism; but, I think that may be because he simply does not understand them. Not uncommon. Michele . . . I love you. I think you're great, and I miss you. I'm sending a slice of Iowa you're way right now, through osmosis. Feel it?
by this definition
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Whoo hoo! I love the picture... it's so perfect.
me too! you look wise and powerful in that picture. :)
Hello Michele. I like this definition of feminism. The church's proclamation on the family declares the following: “All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose." In simple terms, gender is a sign. It is a sign that our Heavenly Father loves us and has great and amazing designs for each being he has conceived. Furthermore, gender is a sign of the priesthood. This isn't official doctrine, but women in essence have a key that sustains the priesthood. The covenant of marriage cannot simply exist without the blessings that women bring to it. Therefore, I think that marriage is an intrinsic component of the priesthood. Even women don't have the priesthood, they carry a part of it with them in a certain way.
So, with that being said, what is feminism (scratches head in deep epistemological thought)? I think that feminism today has been distorted by society and the media into something that it is not. I think that whenever we see a successful woman, we see someone who is a feminist.
I used to think that feminism was a bad word. I felt that the feminism movement from the sixties that received some negative connotations actually further disambiguified the line between men and women. Your definition of feminism posits a conceptual notion of an equality that supports men and women in existence of one another.
I think I know what I did not like about the 60's version of feminism. When a minority or majority is given rights or special treatment over others, something is taken away from someone somewhere else. I think that the definition of diversity provided by you gives us a something that respects the balance of diversity in respect between other people.
George, what do you say to women in the church who never get married?
Also, it was my cousin who wrote that definition... she's way cool.
I think that God provides this through proxy sealing. There are single men who never get married also. Some of my most enduring friendships are with women, who have come into my life at the right time. They've shown me things that I can't learn from other guys.
I love your "feminist picture". You look like the michelle we all know and love!!! You are awesome! We love you!
Okay, so maybe my comment on nosurfgirl's blog about this wasn't the right idea after all. Maybe we should make "feminism" mean what it really does again.
It's OK, merrily!
words really are horribly subject to reification. They are what you think they mean. For instance, I have great amounts of angst toward those who call themselves "john birchers." I shouldn't, but I had some bad experiences growing up... and now I'm married to a whole family of them! I think we all understand how words can hold so many shades of meaning. I just think it's great to see why someone else has a different idea of a word, or concept. :) This is why we discuss it... so that we can think it through and see each others' perspective, and perhaps change our own views/feelings as a result.
(sorry for jacking your blog, Michele.)
Its ok, I like it! Keep doing it.
Thank you all for this beautiful discussion. I really appreciate the posting by Michele's cousin (who ever you may be!), because it is such an honest portrayal of what so many of us struggle with. My brother, for instance, hates feminism and liberalism; but, I think that may be because he simply does not understand them. Not uncommon. Michele . . . I love you. I think you're great, and I miss you. I'm sending a slice of Iowa you're way right now, through osmosis. Feel it?
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