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- For a great reference list of books of the subject, see:
- http://www.pinn.net/~sunshine/, and while you're at it, check out the rest of SUNSHINE FOR WOMEN. It is well worth your time.
- G e n d e r G a p p e r s T M
ONE NATION UNDER XENA
| Blasphemy? Heresy?
Not at all, but more on that later. Recently,
the media focused "like a laser" on the moral crisis in the Catholic
Church, yet there were only a few reports
that even mentioned what the clergy, historically have done and continue
to do to women and girls.
In fact, they sexually preyed on their female relatives and barnyard animals when whores and wives were denied them. The early debauchery of these servants of God is chronicled in the writings of an 19th century writer, Henry Charles Lea. You can read excerpts of his work at the following url: http://www.pinn.net/~sunshine/.
It would be a huge mistake to think "faith based" sexual predators are limited to Catholic priests. Clergy of other religions have been just as bad while giving the impression that they were good, i.e. godly. One helpful thing about this public exposure is that women in all walks of life are remembering things that happened to them when they were girls. They are talking to others about how clergy were ministering to their genital areas as well as their spiritual areas in actions from fondling to intercourse. They remember believing that when their priest or minister did something to them that it must be all right, but still they were feeling very frightened. All women need to hear the experiences of other women and know that they are not alone and were not at fault. And, most importantly, they need to share their knowledge with their daughters. "It just wasn't something I could talk about when it happened," one woman told us. "If I tried to say something to an adult I was told I was an evil little girl to say such a thing about the pastor. It made me feel ashamed and that I had done something wrong." What would cause these so-called men of God to abuse the innocent? Worse still, what would cause their superiors to ignore or engage in such acts themselves? The answer may be the monolithic, male only, nature of their Supreme Being. It supports the prevailing attitude that men are predominant and women are there to be utilized by them. Most drama, prose and media still support this. Macho is both the name of the game and the name of the god. This is why we are poised for the 3rd World War, with Bush posturing for the testosterone-poisoned while Ashcroft metaphorically eradicates womankind with a heavy drape. The Bushie's macho leadership threatens the lives of people in this country and the rest of the world. They do so by their penchant for favoring corporate interests, by making war to foster male supremacy, and by forcing their religion on everyone by gradually making church and state INseparable. Faith-based patriotism is the name of their game and the rule of their male God. Male Gods, with great pride, always display their warlord abilities at the top of their curriculum vitae. If this be a prerequisite for godhood, then XENA is amply qualified. Male Gods are worshipped sacrificed to and personified, just as Xena is by hundreds of thousands of Xenites all over the Xenaverse who build alters of memorabilia and contribute to good works in her name. She also has a great track record protecting and helping virgins, children and even the estrogen challenged.
Male Gods are personified as super beings that cannot die, a characteristic that Xena has demonstrated over and over. In addition, she has "many skills" and introduced innovations that have influenced history throughout the ages. She has lifted all humanity to her level, refusing to be worshipped, something a male God's ego would never allow. But for all her stellar qualifications, as great and powerful as she is, we'd never put her name in a Salute to the Flag because the Salute is an oath of allegiance to the government. A God, whatever its gender, does not belong in it. Church and State must be kept separate if we are to continue as a democracy. 2002-028
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