A think a lot of them are clinging to the ideal rather than the reality of Christianity. Remember, Christianity started out as a faith for women and slaves according to the Romans. Women built Christianity and the Christian community. Without their financial support and space the faith would have never grown and taken root.

The entire precept is based on equity, particularly spiritual equality. Reading the parables, Jesus would be considered an ideological communist by today’s measure.

But, once Christianity was adopted by Rome the leaders immediately started walking back those teachings to stronger Patriarchal standards, putting men in control of women.

It was Paul who said "wives obey your husbands". Not Jesus. Paul might have believed Jesus was the Messiah but he was also a citizen of Rome. He never could quite give up that privilege to truly and completely adopt the message of Christ, much less live it.

I think a lot of these women just want to believe that what the church says is true. That they believe in his teachings and want that works to come to pass. Like Paul, they just can’t let the dream Gondor the reality of what has happened.

They do seem to be snapping out of it though, if that’s any consolation. Young people, and young women in particular are leaving the church. Fewer parents are raising their children within the church. Female leaders like Beth Moore are dropping out of the SBC.

I was raised inside the church and chose to raise my daughter outside it. She’s a lot more content and happy without all the guilt and shame.