Does being a feminist go against the Bible?

[Bolt1104]

So this has been a pretty big debate with the people I know in my family and my friends vs. my beliefs but I would love to hear what others opinions are. Is it against God and the Bible to be a feminist or to even just support it? I don’t personally believe it is because we as women deserve to be treated with equality and respect just like men do I think we could do better for both male and females yes 100% so much is wrong with the system in general but I think every living being on this earth deserves to be treated with humility. No matter what you are or what you identify as. I respect and love everyone and don’t judge but I personally don’t believe that being a feminist would cause you to go to hell! But that’s just my beliefs what do y'all believe?

[SolitarySolace]

Feminism (especially in its dominant modern forms) and biblical Christianity are ultimately built on contradictory foundations, so yes—when feminism is defined as the advocacy for total equality of authority, roles, and outcome in every sphere of life (home, church, society), it does go against what the Bible teaches. Here are the main points of conflict:

1. Male headship in marriage and the home

The Bible explicitly teaches a structure of loving male headship and joyful female submission in marriage, not a 50/50 egalitarian partnership.

→ Ephesians 5:22–33, Colossians 3:18–19, 1 Peter 3:1–7, 1 Corinthians 11:3

Modern feminism almost universally calls this structure oppressive and demands its abolition.

2. Male leadership in the church

The New Testament restricts the office of elder/pastor and the authoritative teaching role over men to qualified men.

→ 1 Timothy 2:11–14, 1 Timothy 3:1–7, Titus 1:5–9, 1 Corinthians 14:33–35

Most feminist theology either reinterprets these texts beyond recognition or openly rejects them as cultural and non-binding.

3. Created differences, not just equality in worth

The Bible says men and women are equal in value and dignity (Genesis 1:27, Galatians 3:28), but created with distinct roles from the beginning—before the fall (Genesis 2:18–25, 1 Timothy 2:13).

Modern feminism usually insists any distinction in role is inherently unjust and must be erased.

4. The question of authority and rebellion

The Bible frames rebellion against God-ordained authority structures as serious sin (Romans 13:1–2, 1 Samuel 15:23).

First-wave feminism often had Christian roots and focused only on legal rights, but second-wave and later feminism explicitly framed patriarchy itself (including biblical patriarchy) as the enemy that must be overthrown. That spirit of revolt is hard to reconcile with passages like 1 Peter 3:1–6 or Ephesians 5.

You can love and respect women, fight against abuse and genuine injustice, and still believe the Bible’s design is beautiful and good. In fact, many of us believe the Bible’s model—when lived out with Christlike love—actually protects and honors women far better than the world’s systems ever have.

So no, being a consistent biblical Christian and a consistent modern feminist at the same time is not really possible without seriously redefining or ignoring large parts of Scripture.

[Anonymous]

No. But most people that call themselves feminists today are not true feminists. Feminists DO NOT seek to subjugate men. Feminists seek equal opportunity and footing as men. And that is NOT a unreasonable ask.

I'm not so blind as to see that most of human history has been patriarchal. That we are still largely in a patriarchal society (e. g. who was the last woman president? How many members of congress are female? How many CEO's are women? How many billionaire's are women?). But I do think we've made great strides over the past hundred years and continue to do so.

The reason I'm not referencing the Bible directly so far is because I'm not sure I'm qualified to make this judgement. Understand that the Bible is the word of God. But it was dictated to MAN. More than one. God is infallible, man is not. I don't view God as a man. I view him as an omnipotent entity. The Bible refers to him as "the father" but his depth of love appears motherly. He created Adam, but he recognized that Adam was incomplete without Eve. God in his great wisdom knew we needed eachother. So in my mind the Bible does NOT put one gender above the other. And God is not to blame for 2000+ years. of MAN'S view on things.😆

[Bolt1104]

Very very true! Thank you completely agree!

[Opinion Owner]

🙂🙂👍

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

Christianity, like all abrahamic religions, is a heavily patriarchal belief system. As a result it’s a perfectly valid argument to say that feminism goes directly against christian values. This is speaking strictly in the traditional sense, patriarchy is not an inherently hateful system nor is it inherently bad for women. The “bad” of the system is pushing gender roles on men and women, ie only women can be the homemakers and submit to the will of their husbands while men can only be providers and be the sole source of said provisions for their family. And as much as christianity does ask for faith and obedience to the rules of God, I think it also brings up the question of how much our free will is something God wants us to have. The reality is this system calls for a lot of removal of free will in the sense that stepping outside of it can be seen as an act of blasphemy even though this freedom of will by choosing to go against the grain is meant to be our gift from God.

[Anonymous]

It depends what kind of feminist. Today's feminism definitely goes against the bible. Original feminism is basically just normal behavior and values for most people today, so I don't really see the need for it.

[genericname85]

no cause the bible clearly dictates female submission to men. it says men and womena re equal in "worth" already. so while these 2 things are contradictory in my opinion, the first thing would completely clash with feminism while the second thing would make feminism pointless anyway cause they're already equal. so yeah. i do think feminism goes against the bible.

personally i'm neither for feminism nor for the bible tho. neither the bible nor feminism are for equity and egalitarianism.

[strateguy632]

Obviously yes. In fact "equality " for parents is stupid. Imagine 2 presidents with equal power to veto each other. Nothing can get done! A family cannot function like that. So god picked one parent to lead. He had to pick one. Many other issues of feminism do not conflict bible, but as a whole feminism is stupid and against the bible.

[Berethor]

Well female priests are not allowed in the mainstream christianity, religion is traditional.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_feminism

[Ariesman81]

A marriage cannot exist with equality. Biblically, the wife was created to be the helper to the husband. That is her biblical role. The husband's biblical role is to be the head over the family. She gives up authority to the husband, husband takes responsibility for the family.

New age feminism has taught women to not give authority to men. And in return, men have not taken responsibility. Hence the destruction of marriages.

[Bolt1104]

That’s understandable. I think whenever a women finds a truly good man who is leading and caring and cares for the family. Women naturally submit themselves to their husbands but it is hard at least in my area to find good men who truly will care for their families. That’s what makes it so hard for me to understand. It feels as if many marriages now days don’t really respect the word of God. I try my best yes I slip but I also have not dated anyone worthy enough to be the husband to me and the father to future children. So I have slowly given up but just pray daily for God to bring me the one who truly will love and care for me and children. I don’t want to be a victim of a weaponized incompetence relationship which has seem to be the case with every past relationship. I believe now it is hard for families to survive with just the husband working because of the economy. It seems to be that both partners working is a new norm which helps the family live more comfortably together. I’m not a hardcore feminist but I do believe that women and men both should have humility and should be loved and respected mutually because a marriage is not one partner doing all it’s a partnership for a reason not just a single parent household with two adults.

[Ariesman81]

I'm not sure I know what "weaponized incompetence" is.
While it's no secret the economy has affected traditional marriages negatively, the nature of biblical marriages remain the same. No man capable of a traditional marriage wants a wife who doesn't fulfill her role.
Just know, a marriage only exists when both husband and wife fulfill their roles. That is the only equality that exists. Roles are different, both necessary.

[Julia21]

Absolutely not, in fact Christianity is probably the most loyal religion to women. The Bible clearly indicates what an important and special role is assigned to women. I am happy to be a Christian ❤️✝️

[The-Stud]

Christianity like every other religion is blatantly patriarchal. It literally asks women to submit to their husbands (as husbands to the lord). That would absolutely trigger every ugly feminist.

[purplepoppy]

Pretty much anything bar living like a nun goes against the bible.

[BarryLiverstone]

Depends on what you mean as a feminist and which philosophy you trust about the Bible. Do you submit to your husband?

[Bolt1104]

It depends on what submission means to me and how the man is. Because I believe personally if I was to submit to a husband (I’m not married) but it would have to be in a way that he takes care of me and leads the household in a Godly manner. He would need to not just see me as a woman to tend to the house and the children he would need to see me as his partner and love me like it says in the Bible which is to love your wife like Jesus loved the church. I wouldn’t just submit to anyone he would have to be the right man because I know not everyone truly is good enough to deserve to have a wife submit to them. I personally think women should have the right to work and stuff like that I’m not talking hardcore feminist type stuff but just having rights to do things like vote, work, fair wage, and education things like that. It’s hard to find that now a days in my opinion to find a man who truly will care for his family in a loving meaningful way and manner. A women should only submit to a husband that truly is loving and caring and will do what’s best for the family not just anyone. I would submit in a way that I feel he is respecting of me but if he’s not I will not submit and would rightfully leave if I don’t feel he is fit enough to care for his family because I would never let anyone hurt me and my children just to follow the Bible which I personally feel God would want me to protect my children first because not everyone can be saved but that’s why I’m so picky on who I will plan to choose as a future partner and father to my children.

[BarryLiverstone]

Thank you for expressing some thoughts and better defining such loaded terms. It’s a debate as each person has their own lived experience but also there’s objective structures and truth. So I’ll save writing a novel in response and offer you a few paths. Pick the one that best relates to your curiosity and I’ll expand:

#1 yes. Based on today’s definition of a woke feminist, they very much would oppose the Bible and what it says.

#2 yes. As current and future waves of feminism have expanded beyond human rights and attack the structures of the patriarchy which the Bible represents there is inherent conflict.

#3 no. When you say feminist you actually mean a humanist from the societal basis of the USA where women have fought for certain rights and you can see in the Bible where humans receive their rights from God

#4 you didn’t want to ask about feminism or God as a debate. Instead you are framing those pillars to get into a discussion about how men (and women) can claim to be Christian yet it’s rare to find a Christian who is single and supports previously ascribed values such as the human rights to free speech and rights to work while also living a God centered life of humility

[Bolt1104]

Thank you for breaking all of that down I do appreciate the clarity.
After reading your options, I think the one that fits what I was trying to express is #4.

My question wasn’t meant to spark a debate about feminism vs. the Bible. I was using that topic more to talk about how people today claim certain Christian values but don’t actually live them out. My main point was about humility, integrity, and truly treating people with respect which I believe is completely biblical.

To me, supporting basic equal rights for men and women doesn’t conflict with God at all. It’s about valuing people the way God calls us to. And yes, I believe in biblical submission, but only in the context of a godly, loving, protective husband not blind obedience. That’s why I don’t think supporting fairness or equality automatically makes someone anti-Bible.

But I’m open to hearing more of your perspective if you want to expand on whichever path you meant.

[BarryLiverstone]

My pleasure. Much like someone else answered I am no expert on the Bible and as a Christian I am a sinner and could never be perfect in this life. I thank my Lord Jesus Christ for dying for my sins and and His gifts of love I feel everyday, I’m blessed.

Humility, integrity, treating others with respect. You would think in 2025 that should be easy as more and more our lives are automated with machines and we have this free time to love and support others. Yet the perception is a house divided and we feel disappointed in seeing fellow believers and non believers not staying true to those values. I’ll break them down:

“Humility is the quality of having a modest view of one's own importance, free from excessive pride and arrogance”. In reading this definition what word stands out to me is excessive. We can still take pride in our hard work and achievements in life but we see others who boast and sin by separating their success from God who supplied the tools and gifts as well as not thanking others who helped them along the way. This excessive arrogance is by nature a turn off because this person likely will continue boasting and not bow down to God who is all powerful.

“Integrity means being honest and having strong moral principles”. Having strong morals means doing what’s right in the darkness with no spotlight and no glory. Being honest is not honoring yourself but speaking the truth in all things. Sadly people have learned to twist words and manipulate for selfish gains, proof that temptation is alive and satin is whispering in the shadows.

“Respecting means to feel or show admiration for someone or something, or to treat them with consideration and honor” seems easy to comprehend. Another person is considered human and should be treated with dignity. And if they apply their God given talents should be admired to the glory of God. Also it’s a reference to inclusion as the host honors their guest at the table.

[BarryLiverstone]

Now wrapping that around to your initial response I believe we are all lumps of clay and that God helps to shape our lives along the journey. Clearly we have free will so we fight against our creator and sin and show to others our disrespect and ego, as you pointed out. But I never see someone as 100% good or bad in my day to day life. Surely some are better than others, but we can’t judge lest we be judged. I think if you spend lots of time getting to know someone, dating them in a romantic context, you see what motivates them and how they see success in life.

The challenge we all face are limited resources. We can’t go on 1 billion dates to find our soul mate. We can’t be hurt 1 billon times by someone due to their ignorance, addiction, or evil nature and not forgive. We must pray and ask God for the opportunity to interact with people who can shape our clay and get us to within striking distance of a Christ centered life.

Faith, that’s all we can do in the end. Faith like a child that our Father , His will be done in our lives here and in heaven.

[BarryLiverstone]

https://youtu.be/NuCDVhM-5bM?si=QjvH16oswlEHgdNS

[slatyb]

That depends on how you interpret it. Some Christian and Jewish sects, others say no.

[Anonymous]

The things you say you believe in, pretty much everyone believes in them today. But they are not what today's feminism is about. Supporting today's feminism is indeed against the bible, and against any sense of fairness.

[Filthy_Immigrant]

do feminists act like people who follow the bible?

[FunkyMonkee]

Who knows? Who cares?

[Bolt1104]

Thing is I don’t know and I will always keep my own personal beliefs and do what I believe in. But knowing other’s beliefs to me is intriguing to me and it gets me thinking on different things.

[FunkyMonkee]

I just don't fall for any of it. I started out going to a Lutheran school and was already questioning it before I left after 3rd grade.
I don't care about it, I'm not interested in any of it, it all seems quite silly to me and a HUGE waste of money and time!! The only parts of it I liked is getting candy for Easter and Christmas, getting presents for Christmas and the "Jesus Christ Superstar" album.

[TonyMetal___86]

I guess so, well at least today's feminazis

[Deereeeee]

Yes it does

[Bolt1104]

May I ask your reasoning why?

[loveyouoak]

Definitely