But she seeks to demonize those who work towards those goals -- that is the issue. She has played no role in the the laudable acheivements and yet condems the very people who have brought about these social changes.

It is she who has the too broad brush.

Axios

I would be inclined to say that the Holy Father's definition of "I am a feminist" is quite different than the secular definition of "I am a feminist."

ChristTeen287

ChristTeen:

Indeed, I think there are two major definitions of feminism. The most famous (and twisted, IMHO) is that of gender feminism, which seeks radical deconstruction and redefinition of societal roles. And at the heart of it is pride and self-love: insisting on "doing what thou wilst" (to quote Aleister Crowley, a.k.a. the "Beast") without regard to God's commandments and Church teaching. And then there is equity feminism (which I believe the Holy Father would more likely support) that supports the empowerment and dignity of men and women as God created us to be, and seeks our good within the boundaries of Church teaching (although equity feminism is not exclusive to the Church, or to Christianity for that matter).

I would consider myself an equity feminist .

Axios:

Benefits of gender feminism? Abortion as birth control, a society where it is almost impossible to survive and raise a family on one salary, single parent households due to divorce, leaving mothers struggling with their children (how liberating!). I don't see benefits from women trying to be men, I see benefit in women succeeding in being all they can be as women .

I appreciate both ChristTeen and Glenn supporting exactly my point. My objection to Mrs. Hitchcock was her unqualified opposition to feminism, regardless of whatever definition or adjective might be associated with it.

Rather than Mrs. Hitchcock's universal condemnation, I prefer Glenn's and ChristTeen's viewpoints over that their are different types and definitions of feminism, some with great merit, some not.

Axios

"Axios" wrote:

I'm no expert on Mrs Hitchcock...are you? Are you so sure she has not done anything good for women's issues?

One can quibble about meanings of words...I think that is pointless in this case. I don't view her as having a "rigid ideology." She is well known for defending the Church's teachings on family and sexuality and I suppose that makes her a target for those who are attempting to influence the Church for change in this area.

David Ignatius DTBrown@aol.com

Yes, I am very aware of Mrs. Hitchcock, her writings and her other activities.

I think even many of her most loyal fans would not describe her as a simple, average Catholic but a partisan of a particular point of view. The material her booking agent gives out certainly paints her as an advoate of a particular faction.

Axios