And here we have a perfect example of being so culturally steeped in something, of something being so normal in society that even when it is pointed out to us we don't see it. Tally, how can you see nothing unequal in hearing "your dad" speak over and over and over, while "your mother" is heard only occasionally and mostly in the RS meeting? How do you not see that the is the exact inequality we are talking about? How is it normal that you'll hear "your dad" in the RS meeting, but that your brother/father/husband/son/ won't hear "your mother" in the Priesthood session?Tally wrote:I've never felt at a disadvantage hearing men speak vs. having women speak in conference. On the contrary, it's like I'm getting to hear my dad speak a dozen times over. And when the women speak, especially after this past Relief Society Meeting and General Conference, it reminds of my mother.
How is men overshadowing women so incredibly entrenched in our culture that even when the specific topic of gender equality is being explored, the fact that men speak much more then women is not a red flag?
I'd also like to point out that for most women in the movement, equality does not begin and end with ordination. That would be a huge sign of progress, but by itself would not fix everything and we acknowledge much can be done before ordination happens as well - there's a whole list of changes that could take place even without new wording in the handbook, much less a revelation to change the underlying structure of the Church. And considering historical precedent of the priesthood continually expanding to those previously denied it, mentions of female prophets, priests, and apostles in the Bible, and some things said by Joseph Smith about the Relief Society, I don't see why female ordination is so far beyond the realm of believability for most people. (Sad side fact: more men in the Church look kindly on the idea of female ordination than women do. How is that a thing?)
There's a lot more that I'd love to talk about, but for now I'll leave you with one final point.
Tally wrote:I don't think it's wrong to ask. I just don't believe it's necessary.
I appreciate that you spent a lot of time thinking about your answer, Tally, and that you tried to see it from other points of view. I hope you won't be offended that I've chosen to respond here instead of in email. I simply wanted to respond publicly as you posted publicly.Jesus (JST Matt 7:12-13) wrote:ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened.