BFFBOSSO!

So I don't know if I've yet gotten on a soapbox about gender, but let's just say that I'm not entirely sure I believe in it. Sure, sure, there is a biological difference between a man and a woman. But what are the other differences? Other than the artificially imposed social constructions of what men and women should be like?

Daine is certainly the more nurturing of the two of us. I really can't abide babies, though a quirky, talky child can be amusing. Daine is the baker in the family (we both cook, but I don't bake, lest disasters should occur). I was a decided tom boy as a child--growing up, I often found more in common with boys than with girls.

As a caveat, I could perhaps imagine some foundational difference, but it is something that I believe the layers of social programming and demeaning, propagandistic bull prevents us from knowing ever knowing in this life.

In short, I believe that gender (whose definition alters dramatically depending on period and culture--more on this later) is made up. That out of the way, let me just say that I loooove the idea of "sisterhoods" and "spiritual bonds" between women. We, the Mystical, the Whimsical, will celebrate our "secret power" with a gaggle of fun, fancy and friendship based on the solid and deep foundation of similar sex organs.

And now for the source of my little diatribe, a post from Book Club in my new Relief Society. Oh, and watch out for Magical Pants--it sounds contagious and a little nasty.

"Our last book group was a lot of fun, though we did miss quite a few people. In the book the characters formed their own sisterhood, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. It was a fun book with some great themes: Friendship and staying united! Attached are some pictures of the good times we had in our group.

"As members of the Relief Society we are already part of a great sisterhood, but I've decided this coming year with book group we are going to adopt the themes of Friendship and staying united. Expect to see these 'magical pants' again at every book group as they will be passed from hostess to hostess and will hopefully help bring us together every month!"

Previous diatribe aside, I must say that I am always appreciative of any effort to get anyone to read. Even if the very title of the chosen book makes me break out in hives.

Behold, Your Little Ones

Speaking of defining oneself negatively, I thought these were particularly flagrant examples. I found them at Baby's R Us when we were picking something up for my sister-in-law. Really, what better way to start of your child's life than with some hard core gender stereotyping and indoctrination?

Practical Advice for Everyday Life

What better way to start off my offensive blog than with a bit from The Good Book?

1 Timothy 2
11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

1 Corinthians 14

34 Let your ^awomen keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to ^bspeak; but ^cthey are commanded to be under ^dobedience, as also saith the law.

35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to ^aspeak in the church.

I'm sure you're definitely sensing a theme among the things that offend me. Yes, anit-feminist items are particularly delightful unto me. There are so many things that I love about these verses. Number one being that since Adam "was not deceived," he (and therefore all beings with a penis) is morally superior for willfully choosing "sin." Going by Paul's own logic, if the Fall was indeed a sin, then it would appear that Eve is less to blame--she was deceived, while Adam knowingly sinned. Of course, I also think that Paul's base premise is quite offensive.

Finally, my favorite part about these scriptures is their implications for anyone who says we should take the Bible literally and apply it to government/morality now. I mean really, if you want to kill homosexuals as per Bible instructions, you'd better not be female, because if you are voicing this in public and/or church, you'd better be ready to be stoned yourself--according to Paul, this "talking" thing is better left to your husband.