[DrunkerThanMoses]

Views?

[Twilight]

Yeah imo

[Jayson]

It's been a rule in religion for centuries, I don't see why they'd have to change it now just because of our PC world (no pun intended).

[Alf]

women should only be allowed to bash the bishop

[Jessica.]

no!

[Scarlett.]

Sure, why not

[arista]

Originally Posted by Chewy

Sure, why not

Because there is No God.
Leave the Dumb Men to their Fable.

[Scarlett.]

Also, dont forget, the 'no women clergy' rule mosly likely came in when the bible got edited, and some things were removed from Bible canon

[InOne]

Alot of Clergy are leaving and joining The Catholic Church because of this. Low attedences, no Clergy, nobody interested in becoming Clergy. The CofE is on it's knees...

[Tom]

Might as well, its not as though God is real or anything

[GypsyGoth]

Yep.

[bananarama]

Women should have the same freedom as men........Mind you best thing anyone can do is stay away from fantacy and delusional beliefs and live life to the full.......

[Crimson Dynamo]

Like anyone on Tibb has a view on this. lol

[BB_Eye]

Sure... they would probably be even more fit for the job than male bishops.

[Stu]

Religion doesn't win either way. You either break yet another one of your silly traditions that somehow have an expiration tag on them or you risk looking like the backward, stone age organisation you are.

[spitfire]

Not if it disrupts her washing and hovering pattern.

[Patrick]

Dont care.
If women want to waste their lives wearing **** hats, not having sex and worshipping someone who is most likely made up.

Then w/e

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Patrick

Dont care.
If women want to waste their lives wearing **** hats, not having sex and worshipping someone who is most likely made up.

Then w/e

Hey, someones gotta fill them washing machines.

[Sticks]

The real issue is does the Bible allow for a special clergy class with bishops in the structure?

The answer is no!

The only scriptural leadership allowed were a plurality of elders with in a specific congregation. There is no authorisation for someone to be over more than one congregation or one Arch bishop.

The rules governing elders can be found in 1Timothy and Titus

As for who is head of the church, that is Christ alone, (Colossians 1:18)

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by Sticks

The real issue is does the Bible allow for a special clergy class with bishops in the structure?

The answer is no!

The only scriptural leadership allowed were a plurality of elders with in a specific congregation. There is no authorisation for someone to be over more than one congregation or one Arch bishop.

The rules governing elders can be found in 1Timothy and Titus

As for who is head of the church, that is Christ alone, (Colossians 1:18)

Given that those rules were from Paul, who wasnt really a disciple of Jesus, then who he is to decide?

If you say he has some Divine authorisation, could I refer you to his epistle to the Romans. You may find Chapter 16 enlightening he names (introducing) various Church leaders (bishops ? or elders) including Phoebe, the head of the church in Cenchrea given that at that time there were no church buildings just groups or gatherings of early christians, it would sort of be on par with a parochial bishop of today.

And Junia, (in verse 7 he names her as an apostle, putting her on par with himself and the other disciples). and therefore presumably could hold ordained ministry in the apostolic succession. Given Junia is a recognised latin female name and Junias the equivalent male name never existed, or rather has never been seen to have existed.(its even accented as female in Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament - direct translation)

Interestingly enough the reference to Timothy does not preclude female bishops, it simply advises that women should be allowed to study at their leisure (a revolutionary idea in those days)

It is fact that the early Christian church when established did have women in positions of authority, gradually the church evolved to mirror the male dominated society of the day.

So why not let them become bishops, they still cant join the Army as infantrymen, the RAF as fighter pilots, gunners or the marines.

[Vicky.]

No reason why not

[Angus]

Originally Posted by DrunkerThanMoses

Views?

Views will be coloured by which interpretation of the bible you want to impose.

[Jessica.]

This is like asking should men be nuns!

[cupid stunt]

Originally Posted by WOMBAI

I don't think the word 'allow' should even come into it! Who are a bunch of men to decide whether women should be 'allowed' to do anything? They are grown adults with as much right as their male counterparts to make their own decisions in what they do. There is absolutely no logical reason why women shouldn't be bishops - the question should be 'are men still power-mad, and extremely reluctant to share 'power'. The problem lies with the men!

wot happens when you give a bird a bit of power well look wot maggie thatcher did the evil bitch