Is there any job inside a church that a woman shouldn't perform?

[dazzleman]

No, I don't see why there's any job that a man can do in the church that a woman shouldn't be allowed to do.

[dazzleman]

It should be up to the individual church to decide, as I believe strongly in seperation of church and state, which would include government having no right to regulate gender discrimination in a church's hiring practices.

My personal answer is no.

I agree.  I think it's foolish for churches to exclude women from certain jobs, and not in keeping with the true spirit of the bible.

But the government should not be involved in any way.  For me, that goes without saying.

[dazzleman]

I agree.  I think it's foolish for churches to exclude women from certain jobs, and not in keeping with the true spirit of the bible.

Are you familiar at all with what the bible says about a womans role in the church?

Yes, but I don't regard the bible as a legal document.  I think the bible reflects its times to a certain extent, and reflects the prejudices of the men who wrote it.  The bible also approves slavery in certain parts.

You have to remember that Jesus was a rebel.  He rebelled against a lot of the legalistic stuff, and now we see many churches dedicated to Jesus' teaching engaging in the legalistic stuff.

Don't get me wrong -- I don't challenge any of the fundamental tenets of the bible.  I just don't consider this a fundamental tenet.  I don't believe that God truly designated half the people he created to be above the other half.

I also don't believe that God has a 'chosen people.'  I don't believe he places some of the people he created over others.  God sits back to see if we choose him, and if we do, he accepts us, regardless of background, gender, etc. 

Though I am a committed Christian, I don't believe Christianity is the only way to God.  The belief that one must be a Christian or they will burn in hell is an old chauvinistic, missionary belief in my opinion.  Attitude and lifestyle are what matter.  I'm all in favor of spreading Christianity to those who are receptive, but I don't believe that those not exposed to it will never have a shot at getting into heaven.

I had an interesting discussion with a couple of people about missionaries in Africa.  One person said that instead of focusing on religion, the missionaries in Africa should help to treat the people with AIDS.  I pointed out that Christianity, with its emphasis on monogamy and faithfulness, could be the best guarantee against AIDS, since AIDS is devastating Africa due in large part to the sexual practices prevalent there, which include widespread homosexual activity and a great deal of sex outside marriage or committed relationships.