#MeToo
Dear Pastors
I am grateful to James Emery White reminding his readers recently in his weekly blog that we as Pastors should say something about this ‘movement’ because most Christian people will appreciate hearing from us on this subject. I totally agree. In fact I am convinced that non-Christians would also be interested in the Christian position on this. So here is what I am planning say in a few weeks’ time at my church, The Peoples Church-Online.
Pastoral Comment
It’s hard to believe it all started a mere five months ago. Soon after Harvey Weinstein was accused of serial sexual harassment, Alyssa Milano sent out a tweet on October 15th that said, “If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet,” she woke up the next day to find that more than 30,000 people had used the hashtag #MeToo.
Within 24 hours, it had risen to 12 million.
Now, #MeToo has been used millions of times in at least 85 countries including NZ. It has resulted in a very public reckoning as women have been emboldened and empowered to come forward.
TIME Magazine says that the #MeToo movement has unleashed one of the highest-velocity shifts in our culture since the 1960s.
In their article on naming the “silence breakers”, they wrote:
“Women have had it with bosses and co-workers who not only cross boundaries but don’t even seem to know that boundaries exist.
They’ve had it with the fear of retaliation, or being blackballed, of being fired from a job they can’t afford to lose.
They’ve had it with the code of going along to get along. They’ve had it with men who use their power to take what they want from women.
And so, they have started a revolution.”
And in my opinion Christians should support this action. The Bible supports this action because it is against any form of sexism whether it shows up as discrimination, harassment or worst of all assault. Personally I feel considerable indignation that sexism (as I do about ageism and racism for that matter) is still so prevalent in our world including in New Zealand society.
When God created mankind, He made us male and female.
Men and women.
And the Bible says that both were made, equally, in the image of God. There’s not more of the image of God in one than the other. See Genesis 1:26-27.
And we have been given a mutual charge to steward the world. Together.
There is not an ounce of sexism in what God created, how God created, or the intent of God’s creation of us as men and women.
The sooner we all understand this the better our world will be.
And finally. This is a stunning statement.
Former gymnast Rachael Denhollander gives her victim impact statement during the seventh day of Larry Nassar's sentencing hearing Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018, in Lansing, Mich. Nassar has admitted sexually assaulting athletes when he was employed by Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics, which is the sport's national governing organization and trains Olympians.
Blessings
Alan
Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.
