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Equality in the Beautiful Image of God -- and the Ugliness of Violence Against Women

by Eugene Cho 11-30-2009 | 7:00pm
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In every culture and in every part of the world, this injustice is present. What is the oldest injustice in the world?

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It is the way that "we" view, treat, and oppress women.

As a young Korean man, I was influenced through the Confucian culture and worldview that women were born to serve their fathers as young girls, their husbands when they got married, and their grown sons when they were older mothers. Their lives revolved around men.

As a Christian man, I learned that women should be our "partners." They should be quiet, submissive, and know their place. Obey and honor their fathers, love and submit to their husbands, and raise godly sons and daughters.

Why didn't I learn that women and men are both created equal in the beautiful image of God? Why didn't I learn that through Christ, women and men can do all things through him who gives strength and grace?

I still remember a portion of this e-mail I received from a congregant couple years ago after a sermon I gave at Quest regarding women:

But at one point today, you said, "Women, you were created equal to men in the image of God." I mainly write because I don't know if you realize how powerful that statement was. I don't know if you realized what it would feel like to hear that statement coming from a man -- what it would mean to me, and possibly to other individual women and men. You didn't even say it to me individually

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by: scat

12-02-2009 @ 2:49am

This story needs to be told, in fact it has been told and told and told. Yet it doesn't change. And it's not just about abuses halfway around the world. These things happen everywhere. We have become so accustomed to it we even give it sterile names -- like "domestic abuse", "dysfunctional family". We don't question injuries we see on women because we don't really want to know. If we know then we might have to do something. We take for granted jokes, offhand comments that gloss over the demeaning of women. We don't object when we hear "music" lyrics about "ho's" and such. We don't object to the constant sexualization of young girls and women and even encourage young girls to invite their own objectification.

Nothing will change without changing attitudes. And women must insist on change. Unfortunately I think things will get worse before they get better. Men seem to get more violent as women achieve more power. There is resentment when women get a job or an honor that previously was reserved to men. Comments to the effect that "she got it because she's a woman"or "white men don't stand a chance anymore".

People don't easily give up power that they have always regarded as their birthright.

by: gisnap

12-23-2009 @ 9:41am

Its really cool, I came to know this really worth visiting, just bookmarked your site.

http://gisnap.com/
The place where fun never ends

by: gisnap

12-23-2009 @ 9:41am

Its really cool, I came to know this really worth visiting, just bookmarked your site.

http://gisnap.com/
The place where fun never ends

by: MacArthur4

11-30-2009 @ 8:57pm

Thanks Cho, We need to know what is going on.

Hard to look at those pictures. Unbelievable how some allow this to happen . Also how we ignore it .
That area of the world needs the Love of God big time.

by: tadesch8

11-30-2009 @ 10:53pm

the story of the Mirabel sisters is a compelling one that was a part for the founding of this day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirabal_sisters
thanks for the post Cho.

by: gisnap

12-23-2009 @ 7:41am

Its really cool, I came to know this really worth visiting, just bookmarked your site.

http://gisnap.com/
The place where fun never ends

by: MacArthur4

11-30-2009 @ 8:57pm

Thanks Cho, We need to know what is going on.

Hard to look at those pictures. Unbelievable how some allow this to happen . Also how we ignore it .
That area of the world needs the Love of God big time.

by: julieremssmario

12-18-2009 @ 2:58pm

Thank you for voting for DeafHope (www.deaf-hope.org) We made it to the top 100 for Chase Community Giving! I appreciate Cynthia Clarke spreading the word for your votes! I just read this article and I am sickened in my stomach about how prevalent and extreme violence against women continue to be. DeafHope has seen a lot of deaf women get murdered because of lack of access to shelter services. Now we are in the second round with Chase Community Giving for a chance to win one million dollars to help us build a shelter. Will keep you all posted. The voting starts on January 15th

by: tadesch8

11-30-2009 @ 10:53pm

the story of the Mirabel sisters is a compelling one that was a part for the founding of this day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirabal_sisters
thanks for the post Cho.

by: Cynthia M Clarke

12-01-2009 @ 6:27pm

Thank u Mr. Cho for this stirring article on "the oldest injustice in the world."

We do work with the Deaf community and support DeafHope. Their mission is to "End domestic and sexual violence against Deaf women and children through education, empowerment, and support services."

Please consider voting for DeafHope to receive $ from Chase Community Giving. All u need to do is go to Facebook and vote.

by: Cynthia M Clarke

12-01-2009 @ 6:33pm

Anyone who wants to cast a vote for Deaf Hope, the Facebook page is here: http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/c...

by: gisnap

12-23-2009 @ 7:41am

Its really cool, I came to know this really worth visiting, just bookmarked your site.

http://gisnap.com/
The place where fun never ends

by: julieremssmario

12-18-2009 @ 2:58pm

Thank you for voting for DeafHope (www.deaf-hope.org) We made it to the top 100 for Chase Community Giving! I appreciate Cynthia Clarke spreading the word for your votes! I just read this article and I am sickened in my stomach about how prevalent and extreme violence against women continue to be. DeafHope has seen a lot of deaf women get murdered because of lack of access to shelter services. Now we are in the second round with Chase Community Giving for a chance to win one million dollars to help us build a shelter. Will keep you all posted. The voting starts on January 15th

by: scat

12-02-2009 @ 2:49am

This story needs to be told, in fact it has been told and told and told. Yet it doesn't change. And it's not just about abuses halfway around the world. These things happen everywhere. We have become so accustomed to it we even give it sterile names -- like "domestic abuse", "dysfunctional family". We don't question injuries we see on women because we don't really want to know. If we know then we might have to do something. We take for granted jokes, offhand comments that gloss over the demeaning of women. We don't object when we hear "music" lyrics about "ho's" and such. We don't object to the constant sexualization of young girls and women and even encourage young girls to invite their own objectification.

Nothing will change without changing attitudes. And women must insist on change. Unfortunately I think things will get worse before they get better. Men seem to get more violent as women achieve more power. There is resentment when women get a job or an honor that previously was reserved to men. Comments to the effect that "she got it because she's a woman"or "white men don't stand a chance anymore".

People don't easily give up power that they have always regarded as their birthright.

by: Cynthia M Clarke

12-01-2009 @ 6:27pm

Thank u Mr. Cho for this stirring article on "the oldest injustice in the world."

We do work with the Deaf community and support DeafHope. Their mission is to "End domestic and sexual violence against Deaf women and children through education, empowerment, and support services."

Please consider voting for DeafHope to receive $ from Chase Community Giving. All u need to do is go to Facebook and vote.

by: Cynthia M Clarke

12-01-2009 @ 6:33pm

Anyone who wants to cast a vote for Deaf Hope, the Facebook page is here: http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/c...

Comments sorted by highest rated. After voting you must refresh your page to see the sort order change.

by: MacArthur4

11-30-2009 @ 8:57pm

Thanks Cho, We need to know what is going on.

Hard to look at those pictures. Unbelievable how some allow this to happen . Also how we ignore it .
That area of the world needs the Love of God big time.

by: MacArthur4

11-30-2009 @ 8:57pm

Thanks Cho, We need to know what is going on.

Hard to look at those pictures. Unbelievable how some allow this to happen . Also how we ignore it .
That area of the world needs the Love of God big time.

by: tadesch8

11-30-2009 @ 10:53pm

the story of the Mirabel sisters is a compelling one that was a part for the founding of this day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirabal_sisters
thanks for the post Cho.

by: tadesch8

11-30-2009 @ 10:53pm

the story of the Mirabel sisters is a compelling one that was a part for the founding of this day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirabal_sisters
thanks for the post Cho.

by: Cynthia M Clarke

12-01-2009 @ 6:27pm

Thank u Mr. Cho for this stirring article on "the oldest injustice in the world."

We do work with the Deaf community and support DeafHope. Their mission is to "End domestic and sexual violence against Deaf women and children through education, empowerment, and support services."

Please consider voting for DeafHope to receive $ from Chase Community Giving. All u need to do is go to Facebook and vote.

by: Cynthia M Clarke

12-01-2009 @ 6:27pm

Thank u Mr. Cho for this stirring article on "the oldest injustice in the world."

We do work with the Deaf community and support DeafHope. Their mission is to "End domestic and sexual violence against Deaf women and children through education, empowerment, and support services."

Please consider voting for DeafHope to receive $ from Chase Community Giving. All u need to do is go to Facebook and vote.

by: Cynthia M Clarke

12-01-2009 @ 6:33pm

Anyone who wants to cast a vote for Deaf Hope, the Facebook page is here: http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/c...

by: Cynthia M Clarke

12-01-2009 @ 6:33pm

Anyone who wants to cast a vote for Deaf Hope, the Facebook page is here: http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/c...

by: scat

12-02-2009 @ 2:49am

This story needs to be told, in fact it has been told and told and told. Yet it doesn't change. And it's not just about abuses halfway around the world. These things happen everywhere. We have become so accustomed to it we even give it sterile names -- like "domestic abuse", "dysfunctional family". We don't question injuries we see on women because we don't really want to know. If we know then we might have to do something. We take for granted jokes, offhand comments that gloss over the demeaning of women. We don't object when we hear "music" lyrics about "ho's" and such. We don't object to the constant sexualization of young girls and women and even encourage young girls to invite their own objectification.

Nothing will change without changing attitudes. And women must insist on change. Unfortunately I think things will get worse before they get better. Men seem to get more violent as women achieve more power. There is resentment when women get a job or an honor that previously was reserved to men. Comments to the effect that "she got it because she's a woman"or "white men don't stand a chance anymore".

People don't easily give up power that they have always regarded as their birthright.

by: scat

12-02-2009 @ 2:49am

This story needs to be told, in fact it has been told and told and told. Yet it doesn't change. And it's not just about abuses halfway around the world. These things happen everywhere. We have become so accustomed to it we even give it sterile names -- like "domestic abuse", "dysfunctional family". We don't question injuries we see on women because we don't really want to know. If we know then we might have to do something. We take for granted jokes, offhand comments that gloss over the demeaning of women. We don't object when we hear "music" lyrics about "ho's" and such. We don't object to the constant sexualization of young girls and women and even encourage young girls to invite their own objectification.

Nothing will change without changing attitudes. And women must insist on change. Unfortunately I think things will get worse before they get better. Men seem to get more violent as women achieve more power. There is resentment when women get a job or an honor that previously was reserved to men. Comments to the effect that "she got it because she's a woman"or "white men don't stand a chance anymore".

People don't easily give up power that they have always regarded as their birthright.

by: julieremssmario

12-18-2009 @ 2:58pm

Thank you for voting for DeafHope (www.deaf-hope.org) We made it to the top 100 for Chase Community Giving! I appreciate Cynthia Clarke spreading the word for your votes! I just read this article and I am sickened in my stomach about how prevalent and extreme violence against women continue to be. DeafHope has seen a lot of deaf women get murdered because of lack of access to shelter services. Now we are in the second round with Chase Community Giving for a chance to win one million dollars to help us build a shelter. Will keep you all posted. The voting starts on January 15th

by: julieremssmario

12-18-2009 @ 2:58pm

Thank you for voting for DeafHope (www.deaf-hope.org) We made it to the top 100 for Chase Community Giving! I appreciate Cynthia Clarke spreading the word for your votes! I just read this article and I am sickened in my stomach about how prevalent and extreme violence against women continue to be. DeafHope has seen a lot of deaf women get murdered because of lack of access to shelter services. Now we are in the second round with Chase Community Giving for a chance to win one million dollars to help us build a shelter. Will keep you all posted. The voting starts on January 15th

by: gisnap

12-23-2009 @ 7:41am

Its really cool, I came to know this really worth visiting, just bookmarked your site.

http://gisnap.com/
The place where fun never ends

by: gisnap

12-23-2009 @ 7:41am

Its really cool, I came to know this really worth visiting, just bookmarked your site.

http://gisnap.com/
The place where fun never ends

by: gisnap

12-23-2009 @ 9:41am

Its really cool, I came to know this really worth visiting, just bookmarked your site.

http://gisnap.com/
The place where fun never ends

by: gisnap

12-23-2009 @ 9:41am

Its really cool, I came to know this really worth visiting, just bookmarked your site.

http://gisnap.com/
The place where fun never ends