www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News Russia's Orthodox leader says feminism is very dangerous

By the way, I showed my wife your statement:


And she laughed so hard she almost peed.

Stuart, I can't help but nod my head in agreement with every word of that. I've seen "Westerners" treat Hinduism and Buddhism the same way, they love how "peaceful" and "mystical" they are, and how their culture isn't so violent and "patriarchal" like our Christian past.. lol.. so which dimension is this on? Ever place I've seen a Hindu majority has been terrible for human dignity, and have you ever seen a Buddhist hospital or homeless shelter in it's "homeland"? Not to mention when the two meet, all you see is fighting and bloodshed against each other, many of whom are of the same culture, language, ethnic origin, etc.

The same holds true for the mystical perfect pre-Columbus US of the 1400s, the perfectly watered lawnmowered 50s, Europe of the Medieval Age, and pre-schism Church of the 400s, 1050s, or 1600s.

More insults. How very sad. No one on this forum is proclaiming one country as "spritiually superior" over another....except perhaps you.
You have absolutely no way to measure this and make such a prediction. Now you are reading the hearts of entire populations. Unbelievable.

Incontinence?

Dear Stuart,

How rude and insulting to me!

Just before your insult post, you actually answered a post that I was going to agree with, but then I saw this, so I will not engage in any conversation with you whatsoever.

So you and your wife were laughing at me. Well...

I have lived in Athens on and off as much as you claim your wife has lived in Russia. Women have held prestigious positions in government and other professions there long before they ever did in the United States, and they didn't feel the need to lessen their femininity with it. They still looked nice and acted nice. They still raised families and loved to cook. They didn't feel the need to belittle women who stay home and bake like the infamous statement of a certain Mrs. Clinton when her husband was running for President.

As for Russia, were there not accomplished women (science, medicine, etc.) in the Soviet Union, or do I remember incorrectly? Was not the first woman in space from the USSR back in 1963, for instance? Not to mention how many women (40%) were in the industrialized work force as far back as the 1930's.

As for your rudeness, how would you like me to say that I have taken a post of yours about Greece, shown it to my husband, and that he laughed at it so hard that he 'peed'? Would you not be offended at our laughing at your expense?

You know Stuart, there is a concept in Christianity called 'charity'. Maybe you should look it up in the dictionary.


Sincerely,
Alice

How sad to be treated so rudely, Alice. The only thing that I can find redeeming in this whole last few posts is to know that it is not just "I" who feel that Stuart doesn't know how to talk charitably with those with whom he disagrees, even with those whom he severely disagrees with. I was afraid perhaps it was just my own personal ego thinking that.

I don't understand Stuart. He has a good mind but a lousy disposition. He appears to feel that everyone else in the world is beneath him, which makes me wonder if he is very insecure inside.

I say this from personal experience, having treated people rather rudely myself in the past. It came from my own insecurity and my need to aggrandize myself at the expense of others.

Stuart, I would really suggest a sit down with your pastor and some honest feedback to him about the things that people are saying about you regarding your tendency to be rude, overbearing, obnoxious, and no fun to talk with. When one person says something like that, you can pretty well ignore it. When it gets to ten or more, perhaps you should stop and take a self-inventory!

I'm not sure why anyone would be upset by Stuart's comments.

I hope and pray Vladimir Putin is a Christian. Given his history with the KGB and his current personal lifestyle I take a wait and see approach.

My 'read' of Putin is that he is more interested in the utilitarian function of Christianity. He may realize that it is the only thing that can defeat Islam. Don't forget that, if current demographics continue, Russia will be a majority Muslim country in a few generations.

As to women, Vladimir Lenin didn't respect woman as equal because they were created equal by the Lord. He wanted to raise their status so that they would more useful to the collective. I don't consider the suffering of the women under communism for their little bit of equality is in any way superior to the more natural development of equality in the West.

It's the WAY he frames them, not the comments per se. I'm sure you realize that you can use charity in addressing people. Or at least a modicum of diplomacy.*




*Diplomacy: the art of being able to tell a person to go to hell and have them eager to be on their way there.

Stuart frames his posts as if he were a historian taking the long view. Which he is.

I find your response most...interesting. I know of more than one person who has found his approach to people to be demeaning and rude when they do not agree with his positions on a certain topic. Perhaps you are talking about another Stuart on this board?

Really? He makes a comment (regarding someone's post) and says that his wife laughed so hard that she almost peed....and you find this to be charitable?
I think it is not wise to doubt that he is a Christian if he says that he is. Only God reads hearts.
We are all a work in progress.
My 'read' is that he speaks up for Christian morality in many areas where other world leaders attacks it.
The gates of hell will not prevail.
And other countries also.

I agree with you Irish Ruthenian.

Thanks Irish Ruthenian. Don't worry, Stuart's rudeness doesn't intimidate me, but for his own sake, he should try to practice more charity in his correspondence with others, especially since we are in a fasting season where we should be trying to respect others.

I guess he isn't in a very good mood these days with all these posts about Russia, is he?

Yesterday you all were morons and today I am the butt of sarcasm for him and his wife...what next?

I wonder what he is going to say about today's news: Putin meets with Pope Francis!

Have a good night all--you too, dear Stuart!

I enjoy Stuart's polemics because when I agree it's entertaining and when I disagree I can be equally rude or dismissive without feeling guilty. It's great.

Coming in late, I know aspects of feminism as we know it in the West never gained momentum in Eastern countries becausevther did not need them. In Poland, e.g., women had already to fend for themselves because their men were sent to Siberia. We westerners have the luxury of ideology.