What’s slavery got to do with it? This long but fascinating article, written by a Christian lawyer who left Gothardism as a young adult, shows the connection between the Christian Patriarchy movement (led by people like Bill Gothard of Institute in Basic Life Principles, Jonathan Lindvall of Bold Christian Living, and Douglas Phillips of Vision Forum) and the teachings of Confederate theologian R.L. Dabney, who was Stonewall Jackson’s chaplain. Please, if you have any connection with people in the Christian Patriarchy movement, you must read this to understand the ideological origins and ultimate trajectory of the ideas they are promoting. Yes, many people in the Christian Patriarchy movement are wonderful, loving, godly people with great families. I envy many Quiverfull women’s parenting and household management skills. But that doesn’t mean that the patriarchal principles those movements are promoting aren’t destructive, and dishonoring to God and the precious people God created.

Along those lines, check out this 1916 pamphlet opposing women’s suffrage. Any of those arguments sound similar to ones you hear nowadays?

Carolyn Custis James had a great take on Super Bowl, human trafficking, and how women are portrayed in American society–and in the church.

“Research demonstrates that sex-trafficking activities surge dramatically in cities hosting major sporting events like the Super Bowl–meaning women and girls against their will are bought and sold repeatedly that night to satisfy men. So I was heartened to read how New Orleans law enforcement had mobilized to prevent these atrocities from happening in their city. With that battle raging on the streets of New Orleans on behalf of trafficked girls, America sat back, munchedon chips and dip, and watched a collection of commercials that devalued, degraded, and objectified women as sexual objects.

Here’s a list of handy rape prevention tips written for the people who really need them. Words of wisdom include “Use the buddy system! If it is inconvenient for you to stop yourself from raping women, ask a trusted friend to accompany you at all times,” and “Carry a rape whistle. If you find that you are about to rape someone, blow the whistle until someone comes to stop you.” Yeah!

So, what have you been reading? Link to your faves in the comments!