Is the Catholic church a force for good in the world?

[Ben Kenobi]

So you think women are better as nurturers, teachers and working with a group, and that men are better at physical tasks and spatial relationships. Ergo, only men should be priests.

You omitted 'abstract thought and reasoning' as well as 'risktaking'. Back in the day, if you were a priest, you could be executed by the civil authorities.

[Ben Kenobi]

Lori, I agree with the study conclusions.

The researchers say these three studies show that men are more tolerant of their friends' failings than women. Does this mean that men are more "sociable"? That's less certain. After all, it could be that women value the friendships more, and so are harsher judges when they perceive a betrayal. Regardless of your interpretation of these results, however, it seems that the stereotype of "men harsh, women friendly" is not always valid. In many cases, it can be said that women are less tolerant than men.

The study has problems because it tests whether men or women are more likely to stay with a roommate or not, not whether they are more or less likely to keep friends.

[Boris Godunov]

You omitted 'abstract thought and reasoning' as well as 'risktaking'. Back in the day, if you were a priest, you could be executed by the civil authorities.

Given what you think passes for good reasoning, your "best of the best" claim is funny.

"Risk-taking" is a stupid thing to mention. You can't be better or worse at another person at risk-taking. It's not a qualitative measure. Someone either takes risks, or they don't.

If being a priest is a risk, and women are willing to take the risk to do so, that eliminates it as an area of concern, now doesn't it?

We're all still waiting for you to substantiate any of these assertions beyond "I believe it to be so."

[self biased]

Give oral sex

does that include giving oral sex to a woman?

[loinburger]

My observations coincide with the experts here. By all means, ridicule them, but the Catholic church has the most experience in doing this, and they are unequivocally set on men only.

If you were going to resort to an argument from authority or argument from tradition then you probably should've done it before spouting off a bunch of sexist crap. As it is you're essentially saying "I don't want a woman to be my priest because it makes me uncomfortable for a woman to have authority over me, and that's why I converted from being an Anglican to being a Catholic."

[BlackCat]

You omitted 'abstract thought and reasoning' as well as 'risktaking'. Back in the day, if you were a priest, you could be executed by the civil authorities.

Isn't the real problem that in the "good old days" women was commodities mainly owned by men, and that they didn't want to get their goods damaged or lost ? Sons was of course more valuable, but due to society, they could do as they want.

[Ben Kenobi]

"Risk-taking" is a stupid thing to mention. You can't be better or worse at another person at risk-taking. It's not a qualitative measure. Someone either takes risks, or they don't.

Why is it stupid. If you could be killed for being a priest, I would think that would be a pretty important measure.

[Ben Kenobi]

If you were going to resort to an argument from authority or argument from tradition then you probably should've done it before spouting off a bunch of sexist crap. As it is you're essentially saying "I don't want a woman to be my priest because it makes me uncomfortable for a woman to have authority over me, and that's why I converted from being an Anglican to being a Catholic.

Why is it sexist to assert that men and women have complementary strengths and weaknesses? These strengths make men more suitable for the priesthood.

[Ben Kenobi]

Isn't the real problem that in the "good old days" women was commodities mainly owned by men, and that they didn't want to get their goods damaged or lost ? Sons was of course more valuable, but due to society, they could do as they want.

No, scripture is pretty clear about that. It teaches that men and women are complementary and that they have different roles in society. That's all I'm saying here. I'm not saying that I believe women to be inferior or worthless, just different. I think it's a good thing that they are different.

[loinburger]

Why is it sexist to assert that men and women have complementary strengths and weaknesses? These strengths make men more suitable for the priesthood.

Non-sexist institutions reflect any differences in men and women (and in any other demographic group) by having differing numbers of men and women in various roles in the institution (due to differing levels of interest or ability). They don't reflect any differences in men and women (and in any other demographic group) by barring men/women from being represented in various roles in the institution.

You're not saying that men are "more suitable" for the priesthood, you're saying that women are unsuitable for the priesthood.

[Ben Kenobi]

But the logic is based upon emotion, not truth - even hardcore religinistas agree that you can't prove religion and thereby define it as truth.

Two things.

1. Reason as a tool is limited in that it cannot assess that which is it's origin.
2. If God is the originator of Reason, then it stands to reason, that when we use these abilities, religion ought to make sense with what we know of the world.

Faith and reason are not enemies, they work together. Faith is not subservient to reason.

[loinburger]

1. Reason as a tool is limited in that it cannot assess that which is it's origin.

[Ben Kenobi]

Non-sexist institutions reflect any differences in men and women (and in any other demographic group) by having differing numbers of men and women in various roles in the institution.

Are fraternities and sororities sexist? The practice of excluding men or women is not, prima facie, indication of sexism.

[loinburger]

The priesthood is just a glorified fraternity then? There's a sorority of female priests with duties/responsibilities equivalent to that of the fraternity of male priests?

[Ben Kenobi]

Wow, Grammer nazi.