What is the image of today's Christian woman?

I consider it a seminal moment that politics and religion have come together to provide us with two women currently being held up on the world stage as examples of fine Christian women: (1) Assia Bibi in Pakistan who is facing a possible death sentence for her Christian views; and (2) Sarah Palin who uses Christianity as a platform for her political views.
Although women have played a starring role in the Bible since the early Christian church the retelling of the stories of these women has always been made in the context of the patriarchy of the gospel. Assia and Sarah present us with a modern day analysis of how Christian women see themselves being called upon to practise their faith according to the social mores of the place they live in.
Assia Bibi was arrested in June 2009 after Muslim women labourers refused to drink from a bowl of water she was asked to fetch while out working in the fields. Assia questioned them as to why she was considered 'unclean'. Days later, the women complained that Assia had made derogatory remarks about the Prophet Mohammed. Bibi was set upon by a mob, arrested by police and sentenced to hang as a result. The Pope has called for leniency on her behalf.
Sarah Palin (who needs no real introduction) is a far right Republican in the USA. She has invoked the 'Christian Nation' rhetoric by stating that God cannot be separated from the state. More controversially she has claimed that the Iraq war is God's will. Palin's image is one of a gun carrying Christian mum who is a modern day representation of the frontier women who weren't scared of standing up for what they believed to be their right. 
Personally, I am not a Palin supporter and don't buy into her brand of faith. I have much sympathy for Assia and keep praying that she will escape the death penalty and return peacefully to her five children.
Personal sentiment aside and objectively speaking these two women have tried to break down the barriers of the cultural and religious practices around them. When Assia questioned her objectors she was pushing the barrier of exclusion and oppression in a place where it is dangerous to be a Christian by reaching out to Jesus. Palin sees the rise of muti faith folk as an assault on Christianity. I disagree with her but she may even see it as her 'calling' to blow the Christian trumpet as loudly as she can.
One is an incarcerated woman in an oppressive regime and the other is a free woman living in a democracy that allows her to say and do as she wishes. Is there a common trait between them nevertheless? Both women have displayed strength and bravery in the name of their faith. Palin is ridiculed on a daily basis and hasn't made things better by using the term 'Blood Libel' to describe her situation but her supporters are many and carry on adoring her. Assia hasn't been forgotten by the world's press and the Pakistani government is under international pressure to pardon her.
I hate to say this but are the traits of marginalization and oppression still ones that Christian women are having to face no matter where in the world they live? If so, as Christian women I think we can change the discourse by imbuing our own theology with our own experiences and by empowering one another with encouragement till our discipleship becomes one of equality and respect no matter where we live. Then we need to export this brand of feminine Christianity to protect women like Assia.

A fine example of the church helping society

The following article is taken from Christian Today and demonstrates the church's magnificient ability to work at grassroots level to help the ordinary folk. From such mundane matters as managing their bills may grow trees of faith among non-believers who are helped by the church. It's an example of what the Church does best - helping people help themselves.

Hundreds of churches are helping people get through hard times by teaching them how to manage their money. With rises in energy bills, petrol charges and VAT adding to the pressure on purses, Christians Against Poverty expects to see even more people take up its CAP Money course this year.
Last year 7,000 people went on the course, which teaches people how to take care of their finances the old fashioned way – by sticking to a budget and paying into a savings account. Now 782 churches are ready to pass on what they have learned by running the course on their own premises. Some 268 courses taking place in January and February alone. CAP’s founder and international director John Kirkby said some people had hit rock bottom and were losing their homes or unable to feed their children. “The Bible says the truth will set you free and certainly when you know what your situation is – even if it’s a mess – you can start to tackle the issue.”


To find out more visit http://www.capmoney.org/

The innocent 9 year old victim of Arizona tragedy

Christina Taylor Green who dreamt of going into politics one day to unite all the political parties of America. While the debate goes on about hate politics and who is to blame for the shooting let's remember this little Angel who was an innocent victim.

The World Will End On 21 October 2011

'WE CAN KNOW' states that the date of the 'rapture of believers' will take place on May 21, 2011 and that God will destroy this world on October 21, 2011. Harold Camping, 89, from We Can Know, US, is putting out this message using a formula based on his understanding that creation occured in 11013 BC. Camping previously predicted that the world would end between September 15 to 27, 1994. He says that he has endured a lot of criticism since. see http://www.wecanknow.com/ and good luck with deciphiring this lot's website. It states:

This website has been developed by God's grace, through the efforts of a small group of believers not affiliated with any organization. The individuals behind the scenes are of no importance. The focus is on the warning that God is sounding to the world through His Word; that He will close the door to salvation on May 21, 2011 when He returns to take his elect children to heaven and begins the day of Judgment on earth for all of those left behind until October 21, 2011 when He will destroy the world and all that is therein.

The Conversion of the Chilean Miners

The following was sent to me by my sister regarding the Chilean miners. It is a round robin email circulating among Christians because the following facts ' ... will never be reported in the secular media'.

When the miners came up one-at-a-time in that capsule - most were

wearing special yellow T-shirts. These had been created by the Chilean
branch of Campus Crusade for Christ. Emblazoned boldly across the front
of the T-shirts were the words, in Spanish, "Thank you, Lord." The miners, in fact, had requested these words. The shirts were made and sent down to them while they waited for the rescue.
But that's not all. A quotation on the back of the shirts which began
"porque en su mano estan..." was actually Scripture. It was Psalm 95:4:
"In His hands are the depths of the earth, the heights of the mountains
are His also."
Campus Crusade had also provided the trapped miners - while still deep
underground - with MP3 players with the audio version of the "Jesus"
film.They also received the Bible in audio format.
Now here's the good news. Rev. Aldredo Cooper, the chaplain to the
President of Chile, said of the rescued miners, "They're all wanting to
testify to the Lord Jesus Christ. All 33 of them are saying that they
found God in the mine. Five or six were already Christians and held
services down in the mine. Many went down with no faith at all but they
all say this: 'We were not 33; we were 34 because Jesus Christ was with
us down there.'"
One miner, Mario Sepulveda, told reporters, "We never lost faith. We
knew we would be rescued. I have been with God and I've been with the
devil. I seized the hand of God. I always knew God would get us out of
there."

Our Persecuted Brothers and Sisters

While we in the UK have had the privilege and security of faith to celebrate the birth of Jesus and worship freely our Christian brothers and sisters were and continue to be persecuted around the world. The most recent attrocity was the bombing of the Coptic church in Egypt but other acts go unreported.

Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?"

"I know not," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?"
Here they are:
1. North Korea
Having faith in someone else apart from the leader, King Jong 2, is seen as highly subversive. Christian meetings, Christian literature and Bibles are banned. Christians are being sent to death camps as political prisoners and are tortured.
2. Eritrea
Eritrean security forces in the South have started a new, vigorous campaign of persecution against Christians. However, the number of committed Christians continues to grow in spite of this.
3. China
Christians meet in house churches and the numbers of these are growing but the Government views religion as a threat to its authority. Pastors and Christian leaders have been imprisoned.
4. Uzbekistan
Churches are often shut down and church leaders can be jailed for conducting services.
5.India
Shake Muqbal, a Christian convert from Islam, was attacked by a mob of more than 300 people. This is but one example of the pressure Christians are under to renounce their faith.
6. Vietnam
Christians found worshiping are arrested. A Christian was tortured to death because he refused to give up his Christmas celebrations. Christians are forced to join the state recognised Evangelical Church of Vietnam.
7. Pakistan
A petition will be handed in to the Pakistan High Commissioner in London on January 13 calling on the country to protect the religious freedom of Christians living there. Please pray for a successful outcome.
8. Nigeria
500 Christians were killed in April 2010 by extremist mobs who attacked them in their village.
9. Sudan
The Southern region is experiencing a serious threat to Christians and churches.
10.Bhutan
Christians comprise less than 1% of the population and suffer harassment and discrimination from the Government and public services.
http://www.releaseinternational.org/

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