Marie

[marie]

I will tell you straight up that I probably don't agree with most of you here about a lot of things, but we do agree on one thing I believe. Abuse is wrong.

The abuses suffered by Vyckie and Laura were outrageous. I am glad that they have removed themselves from the abuse, and I hope that they and their children receive the help that they need.

That said, I am a woman blessed with a loving, serving husband who goes above and beyond to help me in any way that he can. We are Christians who believe that a husband is the leader in the home, but that the only way he can be a good leader is if he is a good listener who values the wisdom and insight of his wife who is his equal bearing in her God's image just as he does and who gives himself for her.

I am not here to argue about what does the Bible mean or if it is true. I am here to learn. I have heard a little bit about some of the teachings spoken out against here, but really come from a place of ignorance in experience with them. I realize that there are many teachings out there with the name Christian attached to them that have very little of Christ in them as far as I can see. I see them taking a statement from the Bible and interprete it in a way that does not match up with the rest of Scripture. ( And it makes me see as perfectly logical Vyckie and Laura tossing the baby out with the bathwater.) I want to be informed of what they teach so I can mark and avoid them and help others do the same.
Like I said, we probably won't agree on a lot, but I am not here to tell you where you are wrong and that you need to shape up. You're beliefs are yours. You have obviously thought them out well and my reasoning is not going to change that. I do want to be gracious to all and through what ever conversations we have to learn and understand your point of view.
Thank you.

[themomma]

Hi!

You said what I wanted to say in my intro, too, but better than I could.

Yeah, what she said.

themomma

[Vyckie D. Garrison]

Wow, Marie ~ thanks for that intro. and also thanks for being here.

The varying perspectives of the women (and men ~ I'm not forgetting that you guys are here too ~ if not posting, at least "lurking") who have come here to address an issue which affects us all so profoundly ~ is really an incredible phenomenon that encourages and blesses us all.

[marie]

Vyckie, thanks for your welcome and your willingness to receive graciously those who hold different opinions than you do. Knowing myself I think if I were in your situation, I would appear very harsh, bitter and abrasive.
It strikes me that even though you have been through so much with Warren, there is a tenderness there toward him. (Not a you can't make up your mind so you might go running back. But you have a greatness of heart: with a huge capacity for understanding and empathizing with people, even those who have hurt you.)

[tapati]

Hi Marie! Welcome.

I also come from a mindset that people must choose their own beliefs and that we come to them with completely different experiences and points of view. I can't decide for anyone else what beliefs or lifestyle is best for them. I don't assume everyone here must be against any particular group or beliefs.

I think a diverse group will make a better dialog. Perhaps it will even help those following Quiverfull to find ways to weed abuses out of their communities and provide more support for moms who are being abused in any way.