I’d Hate Religion Too

I Would Hate Religion Too: A Response to I H at e R el igi o n

Words by Anonymous Bathroom Christian You may have read in one of the latest editions of the Empire Times (vol.49, no.3) the I Hate Religion piece. Seemingly, what sparked the author’s inspiration for the piece was mentioned as the Christian “propaganda posters” that have been put up around Bedford Campus. Well, I’m the person who makes and puts up those posters. I go by Anonymous Bathroom Christian (the name proudly bestowed upon me by an upset uni bathroom user who typed up a response to my posters… if that was you and you’re reading this, I’d like to ask when I’ll get my follow up…). Let’s just say, I get my fair share of impolite and angry responders to my posters. Yet, I don’t blame people for feeling this way. If I had the view of religion, and especially Christianity, that the author of I Hate Religion does, I’d feel just as outraged. I don’t want to be “oppressed” as much as the next person. Ironically, and not of their own fault, I Hate Religion was nothing short of a Christian’s fantasy - I couldn’t have written that piece better myself. It said all the right points and used all the correct language. Bravo! On point! However, I think it reveals to us something deeper; many people opposed to Christianity nd themselves angry at things that don’t actually exist and argue from typical misconceptions. Being a woman myself, the belief that Christianity oppresses women particularly fascinates me. The Old Testament is descriptive. The New Testament is prescriptive. Meaning, the Old Testament describes of God’s speci c covenant, for a speci c time in history, for a speci c group of “chosen people” (the Jews) who couldn’t keep the covenant pure, who had to sacri ce unblemished lambs to atone for disobeying God’s law (in other words, they sinned). The New Testament is the story of how Jesus was God in the esh, was perfect and unblemished of sin and so chose to be the ultimate sacri ce to atone for the whole world’s sins for all time. That includes you. Now, whoever believes in Jesus will have the gift of eternal life (John 3:16). Jesus also told us how to live in a close relationship with God while on Earth and some of it concerns how men act towards women and women act towards men, it’s true.

But not one person can point out to me a verse that permits the oppression of women by men - What about that verse which says women must “submit” to their husbands? Ephesians 5:22? Colossians 3:18? 1 Peter 3:1-6? You may be able to quote the Bible, but can you tell me what it means?

In Greek ‘submission’ in this context is a military term and refers to the purposeful, willing and intentional or consensual submission to put full trust in the husband to lead and make decisions that bene t the whole family. In the following sentences, men are commanded to submit to Christ and to “love” their wife. Women are not called to submit to men, but only their husbands. This is something the wife choses to do, not something that is done to her. You still may not like what that means, but it certainly cannot be called ‘oppressive’. Every verse can be explained reasonably in this way when a concerned person may bring up their perceived oppression in the Bible. But I’d actually argue that this is beside the point of the I Hate Religion author. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what problems the author has with religion because their problem isn’t about the oppression of women or the patriarchy. Their problem, as is for all of us, including me, lies within sin. Jesus taught us that (John 8:31-38). I Hate Religion was really quite interesting and revealing of the author’s true heart as of that exact moment - I do nd it a weird way to say that one rejects Christ by insulting others for their intelligence - but I can’t x their personal frustrations towards God which seems to have hold of their tongue. That’s God’s business. To the I Hate Religion author directly: You come from a world view that says the universe was an improbable accident and that humans only have as much value as the current societal construct allows (which I think most would agree that in today’s messy world is very low). I believe in a world view that says, regardless of the social context, every single human being (man, women, black, white, brown, trans, gay, whatever) is more valuable than the world could possibly ever say. Simply for being made, you are an image bearer of God and that makes you unique, beautiful, valuable, worthy, loved and enough just as you are. I chose to follow Christ two years ago and I don’t know of the religion which you speak of in I Hate Religion either. I submit my life to serving the one who died for me even when I rejected him (Roman 5:8) and who’s love endures forever (1 Chronicles 16:34).