Here is a link to an article in the LA Times about new classes offered for women only at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.
An excerpt from the article:
"The academic program, open only to women, includes lectures on laundering stubborn stains and a lab in baking chocolate-chip cookies. Philosophical courses such as "Biblical Model for the Home and Family" teach that God expects wives to graciously submit to their husbands' leadership. A model house, to be completed by next fall, will allow women to get credit toward bachelor's degrees by learning how to set tables, sew buttons and sustain lively dinnertime conversation."
And for a really funny response from baptistblog: http://baptistblog.wordpress.com/2007/08/09/swbts-to-offer-additional-degree/
3 comments:
So I read the article and I think what is most sad is not that they are offering a degree in homemaking, but that administrators at the seminary are using the creation of the degree to suggest something about where women belong in society. Christian scripture can support this ideology, but there is plenty of scripture that argues for gender equality as well. But scripture is almost beside the point. No amount of religious backing can challenge the fact that it is wrong to suggest that certain people based on gender, race or social class should be limited to certain degree tracks, certain roles. That being said, I think it would quite lovely to take a class on baking chocolate chip cooking, as long as no one tells me its the only class I should take. Speaking of baking, I made a pie yesterday, an apple pie with a lattice crust. It had no sugar in it - simply apples that I picked on Saturday from a nearby apple orchard.
Yum!
Erin
Wow, an apple pie. Sounds delicious. I totally agree with everything you've said. And, wouldn't it be nice if the men could also take a class on chocolate chip cookie baking. Speaking of men, how is B doing? Did he get to enjoy the apple pie? I've been out of touch with a computer most of the week but will try to email you later.
fdm
He is doing well, and he did enjoy the apple pie. We made them together. Fortunately for me, he loves to cook and bake -especially pies. Though, unlike me, he enjoys sugar and ice cream on top of his pies. Actually, he was one of the first to graduate from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a degree in homemaking, and he feels like he's a better Christian woman because of it.
Post a Comment