Today as I celebrated the Holy mass, the Gospel reading of the day talked about the ancient practice of the Jews which allowed brothers to inherit the wife of their late brother if she bore no children for him. Reflecting on this with a Priest, I was made to understand that this practice is still alive today in some cultures of the world and especially in Africa. I call such cultures or practice "Evil."
There are so many evils in the world and all evils need to stop already, but today we focus on evils against women. The gospel reading paints a clear picture of a case of dehumanizing women, otherwise, how do you pass one woman from one brother to another as though she were a family property? Would any man allow himself to be so treated? Is there any culture where that happens to men? Why do we do that to women? Whatever happened to "what's good for the goose is good for the gander"? Stop the evil!
Different cultures have found convenient ways of discriminating against and dehumanizing women: from preference for male children at birth, to female genital mutilation, widowhood practices, exclusion from inheritance, fidelity laws, community positions and opportunities, even in the christian church sometimes, women are treated as second class human beings. Sadly, many Christians feel no qualms accepting, entrenching and propagating these evils that are clearly against the will of God, before whom we are all equal and should be given equal opportunities and treated equally. You are sick and in need of help if you need to dehumanize another person to feel good or powerful. Stop the evil!
These evils are fed, encouraged and sustained either by Christians who actively support them or who do not feel touched enough to challenge them and so do nothing. Are we not concerned because we are not direct victims? What about christian women champions of these? Can we afford to be so selfish and callous and still claim to be followers of God who is compassion and love? If you truly love and serve God, stop the evil, however and wherever you can. It's such a shame that we have to be talking and emphasizing this in the 21st century: Women are full humans, stop the evils of discrimination, devaluation and dehumanization.
Peace be with you!
Actually we have to come out of this superstitious society. Then we are able to make a civilized society
You have made a very nice presentation. I enjoyed reading your post.