As in all the churches of the saints, women should be silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as the law also says. If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. — 1 Corinthians 14:34–35

This morning as I drove by the sign, I had a common reaction to the total bullshit that Pastor Tyrel Bramwell posts from time to time. I constantly wonder how people living in 2023 still believe the absolutely batshit crazy stuff in the bible.

There is so much wrong in this week’s sign, once again I’m at a loss where to start.

I’m pretty sure his sign is taking a direct hit at the other local Lutheran pastor who has been openly criticizing him in the local press. You know the other Lutheran church, that not only accepts folks of LGBTQ persuassion, but is also progressive enough to allow women to be pastors. She’s been very vocal about how demented and hateful Bramwell is, and apparently Bramwell doesn’t take criticism lightly when it comes from a woman. She burned him pretty good a few weeks back in her lengthy letter to the editor and I guess it got his panties in such a wad he’s now going after her instead of offering his usual rant about him not being gay.

This week’s sign is so mysoginist it’s really hard to believe he put that out there for everyone in the community to see.

But if you actually read the text of Corinthians, it doesn’t say that women can’t be pastors. It goes way beyond that, saying that women just need to shut up in church because they’re too dumb to understand this stuff, and if they have any questions, they should ask their husbands, who, of course, are much wiser than them, for the sole reason that they were lucky to be born with an X chromosome.

There’s no explanation for what unmarried and widowed women should do. I guess they’re out of luck if they have any questions.

I find it amazing that a church preaching that women should be subordinate to men still has revelance in the 21st century. It’s actually a bit disgusting. That it was even a concept 2000 years ago is disappointing, but come on folks, we’ve grown past such ancient views.

Corinthians is attributed to Paul the Apostle and a co-author, Sosthenes. Supposedly it was written around 53-54 A.D. but there’s one passage that bible scholars have a problem with. Want to guess which one? Yep, 14:34-35.

You see, some versions of the Corinthian text have that passage in the middle, and some have it at the end, leading scholars to believe maybe it was a Post-It note someone attached later, and later it got edited into the text, only there was disagreement on where to stick it.

I’m pretty sure I know where I would stick it.

Bramwell’s sign clearly states, “God says no” when in fact it was merely Paul and his co-author stating their own archaic opinion, and some later editor adding to it. Oh, by the way, the original manuscript was in Greek. Depending on which version of the good book you favor, it was likely translated to Latin, and German, before you could read it in English.

God has never said anything because he doesn’t exist. What exists are 2000 year old documents written by men, who wanted to control women for their pleasure.

If god did exist, I’m sure he would have the power to smite any woman who dared speak in church, much less lead her own congregation. That would certainly be proof that he’s serious, right?

If god did exist, I’m also sure he would show his flock which of the several local Lutheran churches was the right one to attend. Of course, it’s entirely possible it’s the Catholic church that he favors. After all, they invented him first.