Newman1

Lauren Newman

Dr. Kendra Parker

ENG 113-03

8 December 2017

Newmans Feminist Manifesto

Discovering my feminist identity has been a long-time search. It was not clear to me what

I wanted to stand for, what I wanted to believe in, or what I wanted to define my feminism. Most

feminist advocates agree feminism is a movement striving to attain equal rights for women.

Where this argument usually ends, however, is when questioning what feminism stands for--

what I once struggled with. Many Christian feminists believe Christianity and feminism go hand

in hand; that Christ demonstrated how women as human beings are worthy of respect and

consideration (Dance, Adams). Others maintain, as well, the history of feminism should be

studied in the light of scripture and, therefore, the texts of Christianity and feminism both require

interpretations to understand why they overlap (Buckley, Green). Through examining my

Christian beliefs, it is clear to me feminism, as a movement, is best defined as equal treatment of

both sexes.

My Christian faith has been important in my feminist development. For example, when

discussing the fall courses I was taking with friends back in September, I experienced disbelief

with the various comments and opinions that were being stated. Youre really a feminist? some

would ask. Yes, I am. So many view the movement only as a way for women to be the victim

and claim they are being treated unfairly, which leads to advocating for better. Although I didn't

agree with their thoughts, I didn't agree with the overall idea of the movement itself either. I saw

something more than the idea of achieving better for just women. The dispute between friends
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and myself led to me finding my identity with the guidance of my Christian faith through the

teachings of God. The equal treatment of both sexes is a belief with much value within my

Christian faith. Women nor men who do not receive equal opportunities or treatment does not

practice equality as stated in the Bible: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor

free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28). God

made women with the same mental capacity and capability as men, and its time that His work is

rightfully recognized (Dance). A man is no different than a woman: their equal human beings

and, therefore, should be treated no differently in our society.

My future goal is to become a successful Neonatal Nurse. After graduating from Hope

College with a Bachelors Degree in Nursing, I plan to apply for a job at Helen DeVos

Childrens Hospital. Often times we see women not receiving equal pay in the work field. My

feminist identity, which specifically advocates for the equal treatment of both sexes, links to my

goal of future employment because unequal treatment leads to the prevention of being

successful. My definition works toward putting an end to unfair treatment that prevents women

from reaching their goals. I will use my identity to work against this structure by being

headstrong within my career. All humans-male and female- bear the image of God with equal

rights and responsibilities. Justice entails interdependent partnering between men and women

who have equal access to gifts of the spirit (Buckley). One gender is not better than the other.

All human beings created by God can accomplish anything and achieve goals despite their

gender.

My feminist identity is important to me at this particular time in my life as I am realizing

our world is unfair. I believe feminism needs to be coherent with Gods teachings that men and

women were created to be equal and not divided from one another. We are in no way like men:
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we tend to dress different, we admire different things, we choose different aspirations in life, but

we are equal to men in every way. The Christian faith is the basis for the foundation of what

feminism stands for. If we cannot love all Gods creations equally, the feminism movement

cannot exist. Equal treatment for both sexes started with Christian faith in the scriptures of God

and feminism is the product.

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Works Cited
Adams, Char. Im a Christian Feminist, Because Jesus Loves Women, and We Should, Too.

Bustle, 27 Jul. 2016,

www.bustle.com/articles/173684-im-a-christian-feminist-because-jesus-loves-women-
and-we-should-too.

Buckley, Amy. Why You Should Be a Christian Feminist. Relevant, 31 Dec. 2014.

Dance, Gabby. Why All Christians Should Be Feminists. Odyssey, 19 Mar. 2017,

www.theodysseyonline.com/all-christians-should-be-feminists.

Green, Emma. Christian, or Feminist? The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2015.

The Bible. Authorized King James Version, Oxford UP, 1998