Why are we so afraid to treat each other with respect?

So the other day in ethics were were discussing what factors go into making a theological decision and/or reflection. One of the factors is personal experience. In dealing with this aspect of the decision making Lewis had us read an article on Feminism. When we got to this area of discussion, the room went silent. No one, including myself, wanted to discuss the topic, no one wanted to offer to anyone any possiblity of labling. This is too bed, not the lack of labeling, but the lack of discussion, because the article had some really insightful and interesting things to say.

The Article discussed how what is thought of as the traditional Chritian experience typically only accounts for the male experience. So often the female experience is grouped in to the title of "Man" in a general sense and not given considerate thought, this is too bad. The female experience, while not always, but typically has insight and views on God and faith that are foreign to the male experience.

The article, much to the shock and surprise of most christians (note sarcasm), did not call for placing these female experiences in a more favored position then that of the male. Instead it asked to be thought of as mutually valuable. And here goes my ranting, I promise not to do this for a while after this thought....

This my friends is what feminism is about. MUTUALITY. Not superiority, not equality, not role reversal, instead it is about a sense of being mutual. Of respecting each other in the differences and acknowledging the worth of both ends of the spectrum. We are not opposites, we are of the same genre, we have distinct differences, but are not limited to those differences, we are to love each other and value each other mutually.

Dr. Lewis put it this way, it's not about placing one sex over the other, it is about engaging with one another as human beings, it is about coming to each other in the image of God, to recognize that we are all the same fallen creation that is nothing without its creator. It is realizing together that the creator loves us and values us even if we have turned our backs on him. And in seeing this we should imitate this love.