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think I know what M. M. Thomas might demand of us in this time, but I wonder. because I did not<br />
I<br />
him, and among the generation that did, I don't see churches that give of themselves radically, or<br />
know<br />
to one another in the hopes that they might be transformed into their full humanity through<br />
even<br />
the face of Jesus the Christ<br />
seeking<br />
Equality<br />
Gender<br />
community should also manifest the dignity of the humans who are created in God's own image,<br />
‘”The<br />
mutual responsibilities included in freedom and God's justice in the midst of human<br />
observing<br />
[p. 23]<br />
communities.’<br />
this M. M. Thomas is talking about the wandering in the desert and the lament of the people that<br />
In<br />
had been good enough under slavery. When we talk about gender equality in the Malayalee<br />
things<br />
I think sometimes we are talking about something like fleshpots in Egypt. lhings were not<br />
churches<br />
under slavery but maybe they were good enough. Maybe things are not ideal today, but may be it<br />
ideal<br />
course inequality is not good enough. When women and girls are not included in all aspects of<br />
Of<br />
life, it is not good enough. It is an embarrassment which means you have half or less of the<br />
church<br />
available to you that God has blessed you with undeservedly for the leadership of the church,<br />
talent<br />
by definition you are only recruiting men who are somewhat comfortable functioning within that<br />
and<br />
has meant that in a society in which the abuse of women is a primary concern, the church says<br />
It<br />
nothing, although some stalwart women activists will show up and speak on Women's Day and<br />
almost<br />
our embarrassment even young men find this to be good enough. The church gives away too much<br />
to<br />
ground and is foolish to wonder why society is not bothered when the church makes a moral<br />
moral<br />
What could be a more significant moral proclamation than to protect the bodies of<br />
proclamation.<br />
and the most vulnerable? What would be more reflective of the fullness of God than men and<br />
children<br />
my experience it has been generations of young nurses who have made it possible for so many<br />
In<br />
families to survive at home and claim a respectable. middle class status on the backs of their<br />
Malayali<br />
and acceptable for women to work outside of the home. Their work is highly valued, and even<br />
possible<br />
saving resource for our families, and still they are devalued and put in their place socially by their<br />
a<br />
Race<br />
liberation and development in society is the essence of the law. It is to be recalled in this<br />
‘Humanity's<br />
that Jesus taught, quoting the Old Testament Scriptures that the essence of the law is<br />
context<br />
in the twin commandments: love God and love one’sneighbor.‘ [p. 23]<br />
contained<br />
2015 in the United States, Black Lives Matter tells us who our neighbor is. This movement,<br />
In<br />
is as much a hashtag as it is a traditional movement, is a space in which black people in<br />
which<br />
U.S. have been reporting acts of violence against Black people, particulany at the hands<br />
the<br />
the police, and so forcefully and effectively, that they are forcing media coverage, which<br />
of<br />
in the U.S. is a part of their Christian formation.<br />
is good enough.<br />
kind of discriminatory space.<br />
women in leadership and service at all levels of Christian institutions?<br />
In the United States it is young women who are leading the movements for social justice.<br />
labor. In this case it is as<br />
though we have been granted the beginnings of freedom. We have made it<br />
religion. What a perversion of the liberative tradition we inherit.<br />
Who is my neighbor?