CNN's Roland Martin: 'Organized Religion' Is Desperately Sexist
CNN analyst Roland Martin wants his church run by women – perhaps because his wife is ordained minister and "prophetic coach" Jacquie Hood Martin. In an opinion piece for CNN.com, Martin attacks Catholic priests and bishops who reserve the role of altar servers for boys and not girls.
Martin’s so sloppy in this argument that apparently, refusing to allow altar girls isn’t much different than Muslims putting their women in burqas and not letting them drive. (Actually, on CNN Martin declared the need for cultural "respect" and hedged on a burqa ban in France.)
If there is one institution that has made a point of desperately trying to keep women in their place, it's organized religion.
Whether it's Christianity, Islam or Judaism, women are often relegated to secondary roles, their contributions seen as insignificant.
In the Catholic Church, that is taken a step further by refusing to even allow women to become priests. Now, some Catholic churches are alienating women by refusing to allow girls to serve as altar servants.
Ahem, the Catholics call them "servers," not "servants." Martin even insists that this policy is contrary to the Bible, but his scholarship is less than serious.
It would behoove these priests and archbishops to actually open up their Bibles and realize that were it not for women, there might never have been Christianity....John 19:25 says Jesus' mother, Mary, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene all were standing vigil. No men. No disciples. No apostles.
Martin somehow completely forgets that the apostle John was present, for Jesus says to his mother in the very next verse “Woman, behold your son,” and to John, “Behold, your mother!”
In Martin’s view, the presence of the women at the cross and the resurrected Jesus appearing first to Mary Magdalene prove Christianity would have never gotten off the ground without women. This is more than a bit insulting to the concept of an all-powerful God.
This narrative in John does establish that women were very active in Christ’s developing church and beloved. But in John 20 (and in Matthew 16, which Martin quotes), Jesus founded his church on twelve male apostles.
Martin’s Bible study tells him that women were “standing guard” with Jesus, and were the ones that allowed Christianity to unfold: "Now just imagine the Christian faith if women had not been standing guard. If women weren't as vigilant in believing in Jesus Christ, there might not even be a Christian church today. That means no popes, no cardinals, no archbishops, no priests and no altar boys."
But Martin isn’t really making a religious argument. He’s making a cultural one, that the Catholics need to “get with the times,” that they’re going to fall behind because their marketing campaign isn’t modern.
This decision by Catholic Church leaders in Arizona and Virginia is nonsensical and unnecessary. All it does is drive a wedge through believers in the body of Christ, instead of expanding ways in which people can serve the church.
Such ignorance is one of the reasons why nondenominational Christian churches are growing at a faster rate than those associated with a denomination.
As long as churches erect barriers to serving for believers, they will not be seen as welcoming places to worship.
They’re “alienating” people, and being “unwelcoming.” Notice that liberals never “alienate” people when their “hope and change” gets installed. There's no "wedge" through believers, for example, when the Episcopalians name gay bishops. Before 1994, the church did not allow female altar servers. Many churches now do, but some retain a tradition for males, hoping to inspire future male priests.
Martin cites a decision in suburban South Riding, Virginia, where the priest rescinded altar server training for girls, as The Washington Post reported:
Tucked in with announcements about a new electronic donation system and a church dinner at Margarita's Mexican restaurant was news that Zickel, the mother of two girls, had been dreading: Corpus Christi would no longer train girls to be altar servers.
Zickel burst into tears and ran to the bathroom.
"I knew right then that our family couldn't stay at this church anymore," Zickel said, her voice breaking. "I'm a mama bear, and they're going after my girls."
The church is “going after” girls like a predator? But even The Post noted what Martin failed to notice: “Arlington Bishop Paul Loverde left the decision up to individual priests. Five years later, about 60 percent of the diocese's 68 parishes across northern and eastern Virginia still allow only altar boys, a diocese spokeswoman said.”
People in the “mainstream media” like Martin feel they have to remake every institution in society to match the liberal ideal of complete gender equality in all things, even dictating to churches how they shall run their worship services.
Father John Zuhlsdorf is much tougher on '"bumbling" Roland Martin at his blog.
- Tim Graham's blog
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Comments
Laugher
Submitted by Kleenex on Sun, 11/27/2011 - 8:30am.
This guy should change his name from Roland Martin to Rowan Martin because he's more like a comedian than a journalist. People will see through this easily.
Every day,
Submitted by donabernathy on Sun, 11/27/2011 - 9:10am.
people are straying away from the church and going back to God.
roflmao
Every day,
Submitted by Radical1979 on Sun, 11/27/2011 - 5:48pm.
idiot donabernathy is coming to NB and saying stupid things.
roflmao
You gotta love it.
Submitted by motherbelt on Sun, 11/27/2011 - 9:30am.
"Cultural respect" is fine for Muslims, but not for Catholics.
Well, mother
Submitted by Tugboat Phil on Sun, 11/27/2011 - 9:34am.
there is that whole "getting beheaded" thing for disrespecting the religion of peace.
Roland's Wife
Submitted by AngryAmerican on Sun, 11/27/2011 - 9:43am.
There are so many incorrect assumptions in Roland's op ed that I don't know where to begin and will only address a few. I guess Roland's wife also picks and chooses which parts of Scripture to adhere to. 1 Timothy 12: "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." Women may teach women and children, but men lead other men in worship and our heavenly Father is head of the church. Not too difficult to understand - and she should know if she is an ordained minister.
The Catholic Church also does not reflect all Christians, just Catholics. Seeker-sensitive churches (many of those nondenominational churches Roland writes about) do not seek God but a mix of Christianity with secular humanism. It would be better for him (that heads those churches) if a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depths of the sea.
Scripture does not change with the times. God is not capricious, but the same, always.
Roland and his wife both perpetuate lies.
Submitted by Mike Bratton on Mon, 11/28/2011 - 6:16pm.
Neither reads the Bible for illumination; both misuse bits and pieces for their own dishonorable purposes.
--Mike
Cultural respwct for liberals
Submitted by eaglewingz08 on Sun, 11/27/2011 - 9:49am.
Cultural respwct for liberals in matters of religion only applies to muslims, socialist jews, liberal socialist christianity and buddhism. Evangelicals, catholics and orthodox jewry dont get that tolerance.
If anything deserves a good
Submitted by moderncommentaries83 on Sun, 11/27/2011 - 10:06am.
If anything deserves a good fisking, it's this column (Martin's words in italics with bold emphasis mine):
If there is one institution that has made a point of desperately trying to keep women in their place, it's organized religion.
First, what a trite and moronic opening line. I mean, I get that it's an editorial -- and therefore chock full o' opinion, but you'd think Martin would at least try to think of something that sounds more journalistic. Guess that's too much to ask.
Had I more time, I'd go into details of how the Democrat party/liberals work really hard to keep women in their place, too...with far more bigotry and hatred than Catholicism (the target of Martin's idiotic rant).
Whether it's Christianity, Islam or Judaism, women are often relegated to secondary roles, their contributions seen as insignificant.
Yeah...that's why the Catholic Church only has many, many female saints, three female Doctors of the Church, and gives Mary a place of special reverence because she (a woman) is only...THE MOTHER OF JESUS CHRIST, after all.
In the Catholic Church, that is taken a step further by refusing to even allow women to become priests. Now, some Catholic churches are alienating women by refusing to allow girls to serve as altar servants.
And, yes, not allowing women to be priests is really just a vast conspiracy to keep women oppressed. It's not like the Catholic Church doesn't have a gigantic book explaining the theology behind its many teachings and doctrines that does things like outline Christian Tradition and how theology is rooted in Scripture.
It would behoove these priests and archbishops to actually open up their Bibles and realize that were it not for women, there might never have been Christianity....John 19:25 says Jesus' mother, Mary, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene all were standing vigil. No men. No disciples. No apostles.
But, of course, in Martin's world the Cathecism -- and Catholic defense of the all-male priesthood based on Tradition and Scripture doesn't matter. After all, if we don't adhere to Martin's interpretation of Scripture (as opposed to the centuries of theologians who've interpreted Catholic doctrine & interpretation of Scripture), we're hurting women!
If we apply Martin's prooftexting logic, then we must only assume that the Bible also commands women to be named Mary. After all these women who kept vigil (and therefore should allow modern-day women to be priests) were all named Mary. Clearly, women named Sarah or Jane or Anne are all victims of horribly cruel oppression and exclusion by the Catholic Church, too!
This decision by Catholic Church leaders in Arizona and Virginia is nonsensical and unnecessary. All it does is drive a wedge through believers in the body of Christ, instead of expanding ways in which people can serve the church.
The decision is only "nonsensical and unnecessary" because Martin (and his fellow liberals) don't like them. Rather, they don't see that having girls as altar servers was the wedge issue: altar serving is traditionally pathway to developing a vocation to the priesthood in young men. Allowing girls to be altar servers with the knowledge they cannot be priests is the wedge issue. But, of course, Martin doesn't see it that way. Like most liberals, female altar servers are the tool with which Martin hopes to bludgeon the all-male priesthood to death.
People can serve the Catholic Church in countless ways. I will never be a cantor in the choir...does that mean I'm oppressed or otherwise maligned in my parish? No...it means my time and talent is better used elsewhere.
Such ignorance is one of the reasons why nondenominational Christian churches are growing at a faster rate than those associated with a denomination.
Never mind the fact that I can't think of a single nondenominational Christian church that has altar servers in the same fashion as the Catholic Church. Again -- using Martin's "logic" -- aren't these nondenominational churches even worse than Catholicism, since they don't have ANY altar servers at all?
Also, take a moment here to note this simple fact: lots of non-Catholic Churches (like my former WELS Lutheran church) do not have female pastors or allow women to serve in certain capacities. Women could not vote on parish council issues in my former congregation. I eagerly await Martin's column trying to introduce the suffrage movement to the WELS.
As long as churches erect barriers to serving for believers, they will not be seen as welcoming places to worship.
Why does a church need to be "welcoming" in the first place? "Welcoming" is liberal code for "theologically vapid"...that is, in order to be a "welcoming" church, you have to have either no firm doctrine, or a doctrine that's open to moral relativism and individual interpretation. Basically, a "welcoming" church is one that doesn't need a cross or communion because liberals define a "truly welcoming" church as one that engages in self-worship and the theology of "I'm Okay, You're Okay."
Tucked in with announcements about a new electronic donation system and a church dinner at Margarita's Mexican restaurant was news that Zickel, the mother of two girls, had been dreading: Corpus Christi would no longer train girls to be altar servers.
Zickel burst into tears and ran to the bathroom.
Two words for you: Grow up.
"I knew right then that our family couldn't stay at this church anymore," Zickel said, her voice breaking. "I'm a mama bear, and they're going after my girls."
Because it's not the theology that matters, it's how we feel...right, Martin & Ms. Zickel? I bet you a box of donuts Ms. Zickel couldn't articulate the reason why there's an all-male priesthood and why, therefore, it makes sense to keep altar servers all-male, too. Who cares about theology when there are feeeeeeellllllings that need to be met?
Ms. Zickel would have an obligation to explain to her daughters why this is so and demonstrate obedience to the teachings of the Church. Rather, she's choosing to leave. Fine -- go right ahead and do so. In fact, it's the intellectually honest thing to do because it's right and just to leave a church you no longer agree with rather than stick around and try to change the church to suit your needs (a connection Martin unintentionally draws for us here).
Look -- I'm a woman who converted to Catholicism 6 years ago. What I find degrading and insulting and oppressive is not the doctrines of the Church I freely joined (and am free to leave if I choose)...what I find insulting is liberals like Martin who are on a perpetual crusade to do away with what I believe to be the Truth of God and the path to salvation.
I believe what the Catholic Church teaches. I also believe that if liberals like Martin had their way, the Catholic Church would cease to be Catholic and, therefore, no longer be the path to salvation. People like Martin are literally attempting to tell me how I can/can't worship simply because they don't like how I worship presently.
Besides -- Martin's attitude toward female priests would change in a jiffy if he met the likes of me, because I'd be more conservative than even some of the male priests currently serving the Church. But I've never met a woman priest like that. Why? Conservative, orthodox women hold no grudge or desire to obtain something they cannot have. The women that *do* become "priests" however all seem to have something in common: a desire for "fundamental transformation" of Catholicism which includes acceptance of radical feminism, abortion, contraception, divorce and gay marriage. The female "priesthood" is a liberal catalyst for destroying two millennia worth of sound Catholic doctrine.
If you are not Catholic, you need to understand this: Martin and his cohorts are actively working to undermine what countless Catholics believe to be their path to salvation. Religious freedom doesn't matter to these people, politically correct worship does. They demand tolerance and understanding but refuse to give even an ounce to those they don't like.
And if you stand idly by and allow it to happen to Catholics because you're a member of some Protestant and don't care for Catholic theology it will eventually happen to you. You're only protected now because the Catholic Church is the big fish in the pond that everyone's gunning for. Destroy that, and the rest will be like shooting fish in a barrel.
Blohard Rowland just loves to throw crap at the wall
Submitted by ConservaSerb on Sun, 11/27/2011 - 11:10am.
And see what sticks.
If I had a bookie who'd take the bet, I'd wager that Rowland is a twink of the first order and that he and ol' Soetoro have shared some wieners together, sans buns.
A wise & frugal government, which shall leave men free 2 regulate their own pursuits of industry & improvement, & shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government. T. Jefferson
I like that he mentioned Islam...once
Submitted by red_dragon311 on Sun, 11/27/2011 - 11:36am.
Did he bother to ask how many female Imam's there are in Islam...I'm betting it's ZERO.
Even the Bible argees Psalm 109:8 "Let his days be few; and let another take office."
I went to Mass this morning
Submitted by rbosque on Sun, 11/27/2011 - 1:38pm.
I went to Mass this morning and the Altar server was a girl.
Another brainwashed black man
Submitted by Alpha Tango on Sun, 11/27/2011 - 2:28pm.
Herman Cain is right. Roland Martin, just like most American blacks, is brainwashed to worship at the alter of liberalism and hate all who do not agree with his perverted views of the world.
No rational or independent thought is allowed in liberalism.
Liberal Sensibilities
Submitted by stratman on Sun, 11/27/2011 - 3:06pm.
Martin obviously views the Bible like he does the US Constitution: A living, breathing document that needs molding to the hubristic capriciousness of the Left.
Hey, Guess what Roland
Submitted by Boudin on Sun, 11/27/2011 - 4:41pm.
Woman cant play pro FB, or Baseball, or Hockey and a host of other "professions". And Men cant participate in Miss contest and a host of other "professions" . Fact is Mr gender neutral, we like our distinctions and wish to keep them, you commie slug.
Knowing God by J.I. Packer:
Submitted by stage9 on Sun, 11/27/2011 - 5:39pm.
The Bible is not sexist in its accurate portrayal of the results of sin in both men and women. The Bible records all kinds of sin: slavery and bondage and the failures of its greatest heroes. Yet it also gives us the answer and the cure for those sins against God and His established order—a right relationship with God. The Old Testament was looking forward to the supreme sacrifice, and each time a sacrifice for sin was made, it was teaching the need for reconciliation to God. In the New Testament, the “Lamb that takes away the sin of the world” was born, died, was buried and rose again, and then ascended to His place in heaven, and there He intercedes for us. It is through belief in Him that the cure for sin is found, and that includes the sin of sexism.
The charge of sexism in the Bible is based upon a lack of knowledge of Scripture. When men and women of all ages have taken their God-ordained places and lived according to “thus says the LORD,” then there is a wonderful balance between the genders. That balance is what God began with, and it is what He will end with. There is an inordinate amount of attention paid to the various products of sin and not to the root of it. It is only when there is personal reconciliation with God through the Lord Jesus Christ that we find true equality. “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
It is also very important to understand that the Bible’s ascribing different roles to men and women does not constitute sexism. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that God expects men to take the leadership role in the church and the home. Does this make women inferior? Absolutely not. Does this mean women are less intelligent, less capable, or viewed as less in God’s eyes? Absolutely not! What it means is that in our sin-stained world, there has to be structure and authority. God has instituted the roles of authority for our good. Sexism is the abuse of these roles, not the existence of these roles.
"If God is dead, somebody is going to have to take his place. It will be megalomania or erotomania, the drive for power or the drive for pleasure, the clenched fist or the phallus, Hitler or Hugh Hefner." — Malcolm Muggeridge
I believe God wants us to be humble
Submitted by Radical1979 on Sun, 11/27/2011 - 5:52pm.
How much humility does it take to say "I need to be in charge! I'm a woman make me a priest!" Mother Theresa has proven that it doesn't take being a priest to forge a relationship with God and serve him (yes HIM). For me that is what religion is all about, not about titles and job descriptions. That's why it's a "calling" not a "career".
Martin doesn't like it, he doesn't have to be part of it.
Mother Theresa has proven
Submitted by moderncommentaries83 on Mon, 11/28/2011 - 7:24am.
Mother Theresa has proven that it doesn't take being a priest to forge a relationship with God and serve him (yes HIM)
But this isn't about serving Him; this is about power -- pure and simple.
Don't ever believe the blather about women needing to be priests to "better serve" God. They want to be priests so they can tell their parishioners that it's okay to have an abortion, use contraception, get divorced, enter into a same-sex marriage, etc.
So they can wield their power in a way that denies me the right to worship as I please (because their "inclusive" Catholicism won't welcome people like ME). It's all about power. If it were about service, these women (and their misguided male supporters) wouldn't be clamoring for ordination.
→ Roland's Ascot
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Sun, 11/27/2011 - 6:50pm.
Roland's Ascot snagged on his complete avoidance of Islam as a religion hateful to women.
And I give you a new
Submitted by acumen on Sun, 11/27/2011 - 10:54pm.
And I give you a new commandment...Hate on your neighbor - Roland Martin
Martin's theology is political
Submitted by exLib on Mon, 11/28/2011 - 6:03pm.
Churches that are overly political like Martin's lose sight of the gospel and start preaching humanism, which is always in contradiction to God's Word.
CNN's Orwellian titled "Belief" blog is a heretical wonderland of nonsense.
The typical liberal "Christian" thinks praying, unless in total secret, is someone wrong because of one line in the bible, likewise those who give, or share their faith with others is wrong because it's "outward".
So in true double-speak, "True Christians" can never be recognized as Christians by their deeds (contrary to what is said in James).