I listened to a conversation today. It was between two fellow teachers - both of whom belong to a Church of Christ. Wonderful, active, educated and vibrant women who have been working fulltime for many years - earning a paycheck that goes directly to their families:
First teacher: “Ken gave me $150 to spend on the twins’ Christmas gifts.”
Second teacher nodded - no incredulity or shock - just a “that’s-how-it-is” nod.
The conversation continued as they chatted about Christmas shopping. I was still in shock. Ken is her husband. The twins are their children. She works full time and earns a paycheck, and her husband “gave” her the money to buy their children Christmas gifts. Amazing.
Sphere: Related Content
December 18th, 2007 at 7:34 am
Not only amazing — SAD as well.
December 18th, 2007 at 7:40 am
I sent that before I was ready. I don’t understand how people manage to turn something as wonderful as God’s love for us and his instructions for our successful and happy living into something so heavy with dos and don’ts and burdens!
It seems to me that some sects interpret the Bible in light of modern life when they want to (it is okay for the woman to work outside the home and make money for the family) — and they interpret it as it applied to life 2000 years ago when they want to (the man is in complete charge of the money and the family.) The inconsistency is mind-boggling to me. It is like worrying about a mosquito bite when you’ve just been stabbed in the chest — or rejoicing over a penny found on the ground when you just inherited 10 million dollars!
TMS: Great comment, Joan. I especially think the part about how the Bible is interpreted differently is well written. Jesus came to do away with the old law, but some sects (i.e. the COC and others) have added more restrictive laws. I’m not sure why this bothers me so much except that there are so many COC folks around me, and I see them getting bogged down in little nit-picky details about what they can and can’t do rather than enjoying the love and grace of God.
January 28th, 2008 at 6:22 am
Even I like the Christmas shopping very much because it is the only festival for our Christians so we should celebrate it very grandly with our family members, that’s what happened with this Ken and his wife.