Today's challenge: Find the repression

I have been reading a lot of interesting articles with the topic of "Mormon" thanks to my Google news alerts. I have read some good some bad, but I had to share this one, as it is strange how you can make an article out of people's quotes about why they think Mormons are stupid and shouldn't run for things like President.

Here's the article.

Here's my response, well, I borrowed it. ;)

One theme that I see are people who obviously are upset about something they don't know very well. I also find it weird to read other women upset that my church is repressive to women. This is said from the standpoint of wishing women like me in the church for better things. I wonder if these champions of my happiness have ever talked to an active woman in the church. If they did they might here something like this:

"Women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are given high levels of responsibility and opportunities rarely seen in other religious organizations. Women have leadership positions, are put in charge of sermons, scriptural discussions and meetings every Sunday. They are equal to the men, with a clear understanding of their importance to the church. Women are encouraged to be educated, self-reliant and to participate in most functions in the Church. And every woman can lead.

It would be strange to agree that the Church oppresses women, while at the same time giving them positions of power. A few months ago, four women were given the responsibility to oversee several million women in the Relief Society, a worldwide Church organization dedicated solely to women. This isn't new. Women have been running the Relief Society since the 1800's when the Church began.

Does it make it repressive to have the support of men in these endeavors? At any time a woman can ask for inspiration from God through prayer and personal revelation. She can receive blessings from men who hold the Priesthood. The Mormon Church is very organized and consistent in it's teachings and operations worldwide because of its heirarchy and leadership structure that consist of both genders working together. We may not have the title of Bishop, but we are Presidents, Counselors, Teachers, Missionaries and Leaders and are entitled to the same blessings and respect."

If only those pro-women activists knew this.