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'Christian Egalitarianism' (derived from the French word 'égal', meaning ''equal'' or ''level'') is a recent adaptation of the historic moral doctrine of Egalitarianism, which holds that people should be treated as equals. Its chief use thus far in Christianity has been to describe a theological view advocating gender equality and equity in Christian churches and in Christian marriage. Ultimately, Egalitarianism holds that all human persons are equal in fundamental worth and moral status. 'Christian Egalitarianism''s foundations are the teachings and example of Jesus Christ, and other New Testament principles.

Contents

History

Biblical foundations

References

See also:

External links

History

A simple history lesson shows that certain religious teachings have been used to justify human slavery, racial segregation, and the oppression of women.
From the founding of the US until the Emancipation Proclamation, slavery was "justified" primarily on the basis of many passages in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), largely in the Pentateuch—its first five books. Many practicing Protestant and Catholic American slave owners either believed or rationalized that they were carrying out God's plan by buying and using slaves.^[1] A prominent preacher in the 19th century said, "The right of holding slaves is clearly established in the Holy Scriptures, both by precept and example."^[2] As recently as 1866, the Holy Office of the Vatican issued a statement in support of slavery, stating that "Slavery itself…is not at all contrary to the natural and divine law…." In 1917, the Roman Catholic church's Canon Law expanded to declare that "selling a human being into slavery or for any other evil purpose" is a crime.^[3] It was 1995 before the Southern Baptist Convention, the world's largest Protestant denomination, formally renounced its racist roots and apologized for its past defense of slavery.^[4]
For the first 19 or 20 centuries after the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ (according to Christian belief), institutionalized Christianity was very unfavorable to women. It has prescribed a gender-based hierarchy that places woman under man's authority in the church (and often elsewhere), and in Christian marriage assigns leadership and control to the husband. Women have been commanded by pastors and priests to submit to men's authority in the church and in marriage. They have been excluded from church leadership that gives women any kind of authority over men. Some of the same logic that was used by the church to justify slavery and segregation on the basis of scripture is still being used today to justify discrimination against women, particularly in marriage and in the church.
While attempts to justify racial discrimination on the basis of scripture have largely vanished from Christianity, few church groups (other than the Quakers) extended egalitarianism to gender prior to the 1970s. Today the two major contrasting views are known as the Complementarian and 'Christian Egalitarian' views of women and men. It is interesting that the centuries-old secular egalitarianism philosophical moral doctrine has ''roots'' in Christianity's historic belief:
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★ that both women and men were created in the living image of God (Imago Dei)
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★ that God loves all people equally, irrespective of their individual differences in gender, race, status, position, etc. Egalitarianism

Biblical foundations

'Christian Egalitarians'' interpretation of scriptures and spiritual convictions bring them to the conclusion that the manner and teaching of Jesus ''abolished'' discrimination against racial minorities, slaves, and women, in both the church and marriage. That notion is believed to be affirmed by the Apostle Paul when he forbade such discrimination by the authority of Jesus Christ:
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'There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus'. (

Christian Egalitarians take that verse at face value, understanding it to acknowledge the elaborate system of inequalities existing since shortly after the Creation. But the Founder of Christianity, Jesus Christ, abolished those systems for all eternity. Within his church, '"in Christ,"' is the one sanctuary, the one oasis, the one protected place where there are no secondary distinctions of race, national origin, slavery, or gender discrimination. All are ONE in Christ."
Jesus never conformed to a mentality unfavorable to women and indeed reacted against inequalities based on sexual differences.^[5] By calling women to follow him he showed that he went beyond the customs and outlook of his environment.^[6]
Illustrative of efforts to institutionalize this notion are these excerpts from the organizational ''Statement of Faith'' of a current Christian organization:
:
★ We believe in the equality and essential dignity of men and women of all ethnicities, ages, and classes. We recognize that all persons are made in the image of God and are to reflect that image in the community of believers, in the home, and in society.
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★ We believe that men and women are to diligently develop and use their God-given gifts for the good of the home, church and society.^[7]

References

1. http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_slav1.htm#bib
2. http://www.faithinamerica.info/newSite/ —Rev. R. Furman, D.D., Baptist, of South Carolina
3. http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_slav2.htm
4. www.christiancentury.org/ ''Christian Century,'' July 5, 1995.
5. Stagg, Evelyn and Frank. ''Woman in the World of Jesus.'' Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1978
6. http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/audiences/alpha/data/aud19940727en.html
7. Statement of Faith

See also:

★ Christians for Biblical Equality an egalitarian organization

★ Christian views about women

★ Christian views of marriage

External links

★ Christians for Biblical Equality, promoter of Christian Egalitarianism

★ The Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, promoter of Complementarism, a dissenting view