I was talking to an older fellow here in town Thursday. He leads a Bible study group and, regardless of mitigating factors, can often be quite close-minded. I savor that delicious irony. I do!

Just to be clear, I understand, and will also submit that this is not a view limited to Christians (not even those whom profile as Christian-esque or Christian-ish [see Atlanta-based MSA Mafia]).

In any event, we find ourselves outside of Starbucks, often engaged in friendly debate around all manner of topics. Thursday he was explaining to me that God “gave” man woman. Husbands, in his view (and, he isnsists the Bible is clear on this), “own” their wives.

I shared one of my own maxims with him as we were parting:

“Behind every great man there stands a woman rolling her eyes”.

He did not like that. This was greatly evident in his body language – and, his face turning an alarming shade of purple. And, he grimly warned me, in his own not uncertain terms,  that: “you don’t get it”.

Correct. Albeit relative to context.

This fellow, and he’s a good man, in my estimation, believes I have some how failed (his version of) God.

However…

I have two daughters (and, I coach and otherwise influence many more daughters).

Me? I’m teaching them to be forthright, self-aware, leaders with positive self-image. Other earthly fathers trust me with their daughters when I coach them in soccer, and hang out at our home. They don’t have to be second class citizens if there is a son in the house.

[pause for effect]… …how many readers out there have such a situation in their home? Sons being favored over daughters, to be more clear. It needs to be a veritable elephant in the room (often crowded with another form of idolatry).

In any event, I’m seeing good results. I think I’m on the right path. And, if not, in terms of wanting to facilitate my daughters contributing to society in a meaningful and multi-faceted way, then God can smite me now.

Peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

Brian Patrick Cork