To many people this questions must sound very weird. The fact is that my church teaches that women should not pray (I mean lead the prayer) in a place where there are men present because in that case they would be "directing" men. This is a theological point based on the teachings of the apostle Paul. I would appreciate answers from people who are mature in christ. Thank you very much.
205103
Yes, I know, Dear. But, unfortunately, Paul didn't like women at all. He made certain the gospels of the followers of Jesus who were ladies were kept silent. It's been debated whether Paul himself was a misogynist or just gay. I am not being combative, I'm simply repeating what was in one of my religion classes. I see no reason why a Woman shouldn't lead a prayer. It's they who bear the children and cook the food. These are both sacraments in their own rights. God doesn't care about gender. God cares about what actually goes into a prayer and the faith of those praying it.
128642
No- this is a bunch of male crap. Anyone who uses religion to control or enslave someone, should be horsewhipped. You should be a strong, independant person, whether you are a male or female. "god" didn't say those things, men did.
537163
There is no right or wrong way to pray. When you pray you are praying to God, it wouldn't make sense if you had to do three twirls and then stand on your head to talk to God, but If thats how you felt most relaxed and you could talk to God best that way go for it. You can say your prayers, anywhere, anytime, and in anyway.\n\nAnd Unfortunatly, I do not know of any churches in your area.\n\nGood luck finding one though!
164350
IF GOD INTENED IT TO BE SO THAN THERE WOULDN'T BE WOMEN. MEN ARE JUST AS ROUDY AS WOMEN. INFACT I THINK THE WORLD IS MORE PEACFUL THAN IT WOULD BE WITHOUT THEM. THINK ABOUT IT, THEY ARE THE ONES THAT KEEP THE PEACE, BREAK FIGHTS WHEN MALE EGOS START INFLATING. THE WORLD NEEDS WOMEN.
311574
It's biblical.  Look in Paul's letter to the Ephesians in the Bible.  Granted, many guys abuse this privilege, but the Bible says the man is the head of the family.  The stuff about being seen and not heard applies, perhaps, to kids, not to women.  But frankly for any marriage to work, it has to be a partnership.\n\nDon't get mad at me, ladies, for pointing this out.  Go look it up yourselves.
77655
Unfortunately, those who pray these types of prayers were not told the truth.  They follow what the priests say rather than follow the Word of God.  Then again, it is the people's responsibility to open their Bible and to read for themselves.\n\nRegarding David_in_Milwaukee's post.\n\nFirst of all, that's just it!  Because people are "over" the Bible verses, they think they can justify what they do and say it is God's will or plan.\n\nNo matter what we do in life, we need God's word.  We need Bible verses.  It's just unfortunate that Christians go outside God's teachings.\n\nAnd bottom line...it matters what we pray.  It matters how we pray.  And like you said, it's the "Our father" prayer.  I agree 100%.  But my question to you is, do you complete the entire prayer or do you say portions of it over and over again?\n\nAnd last but not least, the purpose of prayer is to have a RELATIONSHIP with our Creator.  He knows the desire of our hearts.  He knows our thoughts.  He even knows the number of hairs on our heads!  God wants us to be able to come to Him with all the aspects of our lives.\n\nGod Bless Everyone!
96346
Women can be. That is just a Certain religious belief. Women makes great preachers, teacher and ministers. Gor for it. Check out other Churches...Assemblies of God for example.
508914
Hello.  I am a 22 year old male witness with HS level education.  I am not sure where in life you are referring to as far as gender roles??  \nIn the home the Husband is the head, but not to the exclusion of the Wife, rather he is to treat her as his partner.\n\nIf you are referring to with in the congregation, while it is true that males have a majority, in most cases, of the responsibilities, Women are given respect and responsibilities to.  They are not devalued for not doing the same jobs as Men.Different jobs but same importance.\n\nIn every day life Women are expected to serve Jehovah first and foremost just like the Men.  They work and are to be treated with respect and equality.\n\n  Abortion is wrong.  Jehovah created us.  It is not our right to decide that a fetus dies.\n\n  At times, most everyone is discriminated against for some reason whether it be race or religion.  Jesus even said that true Christians, on some level, will be hated for they are no part of the world, or rather the worldly spirit in which most people live.  \n\n  Hope this helps.  If you want to know more your best bet is to contact your local Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.
208420
They can wear wigs, weave, or whatever they want in their hair. Their religion has nothing to do with their hair. Don't take that scripture too literally. It didn't mean women couldn't put things in their hair or wear wigs, weaves, etc. Your hair is at the top of your body, your body is supposed to be your temple and the head is where the crown would be.
400110
I'm a minister, though not  Christian. For me it came down to how many people were seeking my counsel and teaching. \n\nAs it grew beyond just every week or so, I began to realize that I was being called to a ministry rather than just practicing alone.\n\nI suspect that may be the definition of a calling; rather than acting on a desire to lead, when that position is thrust upon you, when people are seeking you out for enlightenment, it seems that's a sort of calling that is something less than subjective.\n\nAre you the sort of person that people would have ministering to them? Do they tell you that you should go into ministry because you have something that they want? Do you want to serve more than to be served? Does the Prayer of St. Francis apply in your life?\n\nI suspect that if service is your calling, you probably know. If, on the other hand, you are out to change the world because you know better than most, if you are seeking to boost yourself, then maybe ministry isn't your place.\n\nEdit to AiW\nJust seeing AiW's post, Doesn't he make lots of assumptions? Those were Paul's words, not Christ's. And who, by the way said anything about Christian ministry? This person may have meant that, but didn't say it outright.  And as for all of the Christian women who happen to be pastors.... are they doing things wrong? Your interpretation of the Bible may not be the sole one, or are you actually speaking for God here? I'd certainly hate to see you with a woman boss.
538052
That's somthin to pray about. I've cried in church before I've ran in church before .. Where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. Some folks Get all wrapped up it Let the Spirit Move in this place and by doing so somtimes you may find people just 'playing church' but when there is unity it is good to dwell together.
639763
"But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet." (1Timothy 2:12)\n\nHere's what my commentary out of the John MacArthur Study Bible says: \n\n"I do not allow" : The Gr. word for "allow" is used in the NT to refer to allowing someone to do what he desires. Paul may have been addressing a real situation in which several women in Ephesus desired to be public preachers.\n\n"to teach" : Paul used a verbal form of this Gr. word that indicated a condition or process and is better translated "to be a teacher." This was an imprtant, official function in the church (see Ac 13:1, 1Co 12:28, Eph 4:11). Thus Paul is forbidding women from filling the office and role of the pastor or teacher. He is not prohibiting them from teaching in other appropriate conditions and circumstances (Ac 18:26, Tit 2:3-4)\n\n"exercise authority over" : Paul forbids women from exercising any type of authority over men in the church assembly, since the elders are those who rule (5:17). They are all to be men (as is clear from the requirements in 3:2,5)\n\nWhat takes place IN THE HOME, is another matter altogether.  Ephesians brings this situation to light.  4:21 says that we should "be subject to one another in the fear of Christ." Paul here made a transition and introduced his teaching about specific relationships of authority and submission among Christians by declaring unequivocally that every spirit-filled Christian is to be a humble, submissive Christian. This is foundational to ALL the relationships in this section. No believer is inherently superior to any other believer. In thier standing before God, they are equal in every way.  The believer's continual reverance ("fear") for God is the basis for his submission to other believers.  Verse 22 says, "Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the Church..."  Having established the foundational principle of submission in v.21, Paul applied it first to the wife. The command is unqualified, applying to every Christian wife, no matter what her own abilities, education, knowledge or Scripture, spiritual maturity, or any other qualifications might be in relation to those of her husband. The submission is NOT the husband's to command but for the wife to wilingly and lovingly offer. Because the obedient, spiritual wife's supreme submission is to the Lord, her attitude is that she lovingly submits as an act of obedience to the Lord who has given this command as His will for her, regardless of her husband's personal worthiness or spiritual condition.\n\nAlso...we, as men cannot ignore God's command in v. 25, to "love our wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her."  Though the husband's authority has been established, the emphasis moves to the supreme responsibility of husbands in regard to their wives, which is to love them with the same unreserved, selfless, an dsacrificial love that Christ has for His church. Christ gave everything He had, including His own life, for the sake of His church, and that is the standard of sacrifice for a husband's love of his wife. \n\nThis is alot to chew! Hope this helps. \n\nadamray
6026
What a good question. \n    I have now idea. Maybe (since i am a woman, i should know) she might have because we women really like to talk. We could talk to a tree if we needed to. But I think God's plan was to have Satan as a snake. \n    I will probably think about this for days to come. I will also ask my church friends about this question. Good thinking and to answer your question, I don't even know.\n\nMERRY CHRISTMAS....and keep the Christ in Christmas:)
296142
You really need to get the Pastor and your deacon together, and ask for an explanation. The only reference is in EXODUS in  the Bible is that when the Israelites left Egypt and God covered them with a Cloud during the day and Protected them with a fire at night. \n   As for the answer given by Raducu192000, If you pray, God does and will talk to you. He is that Little voice inside of you, listen to him he wants to talk to YOU!!!
179104
That doesn't mean that you can't pray in schools or synagouges, you can pray in secret but also in public if it is sincere. That is what that verse means. Don't be as a hypocrite, praying for a show to the world and not being sincere.\nI think you misunderstand what that scripture means.
259829
You are exactly right.And that is what the bible teaches.Man is to be the leader of the household and his decisions should stand firm.The wife should be silent in the home and in the church.Of course this view will reap criticism from the new world order,but society changes and not the words of the bible
32801
I grew up (in the US) in a very strict Christian church, where women didn't wear pants, men didn't have beards or mustaches, and all elbows/knees were expected to be covered.\n\nThis was based on a couple of things (based on my opinions, mind you, I'm no theologian). General modesty, and the Biblical passage stating 'a woman shall not wear that which pertains to a man.'\n\nNow, while I respect the intent of these teachings and the people I've known that teach them, I don't feel that the Biblical passage in question necessitates that women should not wear pants. The passage clearly pre-dates the clothes we wear today, and I simply don't believe that God expects us to live at the whim of the times. Taken to its logical conclusion, the idea that women can't wear pants simply because it is the fashion for men to wear them suggests that if all men were suddenly to begin wearing dresses, women by necessity would have to start wearing pants. I don't believe God expects us to live at society's whims like that.\n\nHowever, clothing is a very personal choice. If there is one thing I learned from growing up in that kind of church, it is that I am in no position to impose my own religious convictions upon another person.\n\nI don't believe it is a sin for a woman to wear pants, but when in doubt, I rely upon James 4:17 "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." If you believe something, based upon what you have read and what you have been taught and upon your own relationship with God, that is what is right or wrong for you. No one else's personal beliefs or experiences take the place of that.