Article October 26, 2009 Issue

FOR THE LOVE AND SAFETY OF WOMEN

ELISE L. MOORE

THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN is receiving increased attention internationally. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton recently decried the rape of women in the Congo. But one doesn't need to visit a different country to uncover gender violence. Most people know someone who has suffered from sexual or physical abuse.

Unfortunately, religion is sometimes part of the problem. Scriptural verses in the Bible, the Koran, and other religious texts might imply that men are God-empowered to rule and limit the rights of women. There are even texts that are interpreted to justify beating women when they are disobedient.

Using religion as a weapon is a perverted view of divine justice. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, revised the view of a punishing, angry tribal deity. Jesus spoke of God as a merciful, loving Father, who heals and saves. The God whom Jesus represented and worshipped is the God of divine Love, not physical lust.

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