Abuse is not the way of Jesus (it’s just the opposite, see Philippians 2). That’s why I believe that, although there was no V-Day in Jesus’ day, He would applaud efforts that promote an end to violence, abuse, and oppression. V-Day focuses on violence against women. We can join V-Day efforts in calling for an end to all interpersonal violence and abuse.
This year, on the 15th Anniversary of V-Day, 14 February 2013, one billion women and those who love them are being invited to walk out, dance, rise up, and demand an end to violence against women. ONE BILLION RISING will move the earth, activating women and men across every country. V-Day wants the world to see our collective strength, our numbers and our solidarity across borders. Check it out at One Billion Rising, where you will find stories of why people are taking time out of their lives to participate in this event.
There is also additional information on the V-Day website, including a video of men from all over the world sharing their support and their “prayer.” You can find out where various events are planned, or information to plan your own event.
Comments
While I am definitely against violence against women and support bringing awareness to the issue, I wonder how the CRCNA can recommend the above websites? It less about violence and more about indoctrinating a mindset. I would think the logo would be the first clue, it's messages to girls on sex, sexuality and abortion is in direct opposition to the Bible and what I believe the CRC believes and mandates. Bringing attention to violence against women is one thing, but promoting abortion, which is one of the most violent acts against women and their unborn babies is a whole other matter. The connection to Planned Parenthood and poor sexual messages to our young girsl seems very in poor judgement. It's time we look beyond the hype of trendy "social justice" organizations, look beyond the spin, and find a clear biblical way to promote the message. What you've suggested above is clearly about much more than violence against women.
I think Safe Haven ministries is a great outreach, I just don't think we need to connect it to this.
Greetings,
Thank you for your comment and for expressing your concerns.
I hesitate to enter into this discussion because it IS ALL about VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN - NOT about abortion, which is an entirely different issue. Until the church is more vocal in its opposition to violence against women, I will choose to stand with those who are taking a stand - we can agree on that, and stand in solidarity - even though we do not agree with the position that those organizations take on every other issue. When I was a student at Wheaton, I heard the phrase "all truth is God's truth" - it's like rain that falls on the good and bad alike. In standing against violence against women, we are finding common ground - it's a point of connection that can allow our lights to shine in a dark place.
Regarding sexuality - Safe Church has a free downloadable resource called "Driver's Training for Dating" which will help youth learn the sacredness of the sexual relationship and navigate through the highly sexualized culture that we live in. We also offer "Circle of Grace" a program for all ages that teaches respect for one another in healthy relationships - We have offered this excellent resource free of charge to the first 50 churches that agree to use it - it's sad to me that only about half that number have signed on. Do our churches really care about this?
Regarding abortion - I am a member of "Feminists for Life" http://www.feministsforlife.org/ which is an organization that follows in the footsteps of great feminists of the past, those who fought so bravely for women to have the right to vote. These women were strongly opposed to abortion. Did you know that the number one reason that a woman seeks an abortion is because of lack of resources and support? So, if we want to see fewer abortions, we need to support women. I base my opinion on abortion on my belief that life begins far before someone is born - that the Lord is creatively working in the womb. I understand that not everyone shares that belief. I also feel that I must say one more thing in response to the post. It makes no sense to me to compare abortion to violence against women. Please understand; in an abortion a woman agrees to a sanitary, surgical procedure - however unpleasant and difficult that may be. That is nothing at all like the experience of terror and powerlessness that occurs in violence or in rape - nothing like it at all - there simply is no comparison.
Bonnie, don't you think that many cases, maybe most, are the result of men abusing women? using them and not supporting them? And women permitting the abuse? (Sex without committment is abuse.) And then pushing the abortion on the woman... isn't that also a form of abuse? And what about the abuse of the fetus, the unborn, the new life? Is this not also violence?
I'm sorry, but that's not the same thing at all. Are you really lumping together women who have been victims of violence - through no fault of their own - with those who choose to have an abortion?
I'm sorry, but that's not the same thing at all. Are you really lumping together women who have been victims of violence - through no fault of their own - with those who choose to have an abortion?"
Wendy, why do you think I am lumping them together? Actually, I am lumping together those who are encouraging women to have abortions, with abusers. And I am lumping together those women who are victims of abuse, with the victims of abortion, the unborn who died.
OK, I see what you're saying now. I still think the primary issue addressed in this post - violence against women - deserves its own consideration. Abortion is a separate issue, albeit an important one.
This blog was written for people who are already born and alive in the world, all the already-born women, grandmothers, mothers, sisters & friends - of whom 1 in 3 will be raped or beaten in her lifetime. That's the topic here. Don't you think the church should take a stand against that?
Abortion is also violence against women. About half the unborn aborted are females. They are not just beaten. They are killed. Therefore it is not a separate issue. Secondly, in many, many cases, abortion is part of the abuse of women by males who persuade or encourage or threaten the woman into getting the abortion. Therefore it is not a separate issue. In a few cases, the opposite happens, where a woman gets an abortion and it is in effect a form of abuse against the father, to destroy his child. I personally think that violence against women is worse than violence against men, because men are often expecting or living in expectation of a higher degree of violence, whether it is in sport such as football or car derbies, or in work such as wrestling calves or riding bulls. But the abuse of the vulnerable by the more powerful is much the same. I think that abortion is part of that violence, and that the mentality of abortion is the same as the mentality of abusing women, because both are centered around abusing those who are less powerful. Unborn females are the least powerful of all.
While I appreciate both comments by Wendy and Bonnie, as long as abortion is put on the sidelines or separated from abuse issues, then solving the problem of abuse of women is only an issue of dealing with outward symptoms, and not of the heart of the disease. The abuse of women also happens by women who happen to be more powerful than other women who have caught the disease of using power to abuse and manipulate and attain selfish desires at the expense of the less powerful and more vulnerable. Therefore I think KW has a very valid point.
so your response to someone who was beaten would be what?
Wow, Wendy, you are quick. Well, to answer your simple question which has so many possible situations, "someone" would have to have an identity first. And the "beater" would also have to have an identity. If it was one of my sons who did the beating of his wife or child for example (can't see that happening), then they would be in big trouble.... likely get a serious talking to by my wife with my full support, and perhaps being physically restrained or even punished by my other sons and myself, for example. Simply not acceptable. Okay... what if it is a stranger? or a friend? Do they have a "protector"? every situation requires examination of circumstances, was it once in a lifetime, or is it habitual, or somewhere in between. The woman would simply be supported; either given a place to live, or security of protection, or opportunity to prosecute, or opportunity to forgive provided true repentance (meaning no recidivism) occurs.
The same general concern for a man or boy who has been beaten. Depending on cause, severity, repetition. Given a safe place and a remedy to prevent reoccurence, which may or may not include legal action. Of course, beaters are human beings as well, perhaps sometimes also victims of abuse, and God provides grace and redemption for the worst of sinners. So, consequences with grace.
A small child beating another small child might get a spanking, or be isolated, or something else, depending on what has the biggest impact.
A child who was beaten(abused) by a mother - a different situation again. Depends again on how well we knew the child and mother, the circumstances, the likelihood of re-offending, etc. But in no case is it acceptable beyond a simple spanking in appropriate circumstances which would not be considered to be a beating. Protection of the life and health and emotional well-being of the child would be paramount.
In the same way, we adopt children, support single mothers, and maintain the value of the unborn female child, and the ability of the mother to give birth, as a response to those who would kill the unborn females.
Well, you possibly knew you wouldn't get a short answer to a short question? :)
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