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Hi all, I know the discussion has moved on and this thread has gone way off beam... but I've been thinking about the last comments made by Timothy (see below) and I'm having real trouble holding my nose. I understand what is being suggested about secular norms and religious contexts, but still remain unsure it is so clear cut. In the example below there appears no room within faith communities for theological argument about how religious doctrines are interpreted by people and used to inform practice. The issue of power and who has access to contribute to any such theological arguments aside, I would suggest that often discriminatory practice (about roles of women, disabled people etc.,) that are woven into religious practice have in fact been influenced by secular norms in the first place and then reinforced by tradition. Saying that I don't wish to start a theological debate about the interpretation of religious doctrine etc. at least not on this list. It's just I feel troubled by the implicit suggestion that within religion there is only one correct interpretation of doctrine and it happens to be the one that maintains the status quo. This means no room for evolution, new understandings or theological discussion. OK I can breath a bit easier now, thank you for all your comments on this thread I have found it interesting and thought provoking. Regards, Madeleine -----Original Message----- From: Lillie,Timothy H [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 06 December 2002 17:22 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Blair and Bush call themselves christians Sarah: You are right. We do have to say that certain behavior in the workplace (promoting only men or only women) is sexist. However, that same behavior in a religious context (only men can be priests) is not sexist in the religious perspective; only from a secular one. I think we can forbid the first but have to hold our noses while tolerating the second. Timothy Lillie, PhD Dept. of Curricular & Instructional Studies The University of Akron Akron OH 44325-4205 330-972-6746 (Voice) 330-972-5209 (Fax) ________________End of message______________________ Archives and tools for the Disability-Research Discussion List are now located at: www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html You can JOIN or LEAVE the list from this web page.