Today the subject is the Penn State football program, but it could just as easily be the Catholic Church or the U.S. military or any institution that enjoys a faithful following. The many individuals who are the real strength of these institutions — the players, the churchgoers, the troops — are mostly innocent bystanders or collateral damage in these terrible scandals.
The attack on Girl Scouts becomes part of patronizing trend that seeks to discredit programs that empower women to be independent leaders. That is not “religious freedom”. That is fear of strong women. Women who work together, be it to sell cookies or sing songs or make the world a better place.
Freedom of religion is one of the most treasured freedoms in this country. However, some interest groups are distorting this sacred freedom to oppress women’s rights and inflict harm upon women.
Feminism, fem-in-ism . . . feminism. For days, I rolled the three-syllables around in my head, in my mouth. I said it aloud, and it sounded unfamiliar, but not unfitting. After I took the time to learn more, I did it. I took the big leap and decided that I was a feminist. I didn’t want any boys holding the door open for me. I was done with cheerleading; it was objectifying. Pay for my movie? Yeah, right. I didn’t wait tables part-time for nothing.
The USCCB have decided that their religious freedom is in your medicine cabinet, and under attack, and are taking this time to preserve their rights.Over the next two weeks, the summer interns at NOW will blog their responses, ideas and thoughts about some of the issues the Bishops are raising. These responses will include feminists reflecting on their own faith, birth control, and a host of other topics.