I am a feminist. I am also a Christian. Some of you might be scratching your heads right now wondering how in the world these two ideas can even begin to relate. Feminism is a concept that has become so controversial that even the word instantly repulses people. It has become an idea that has nothing but negative connotations associated with it. Why is that? Why have we allowed society to distort something that, in its purest form, means equality? Yes, I am a Christian and a feminist, and here's why.

Today's society has created countless forms of feminism from "Free the Nipple" to the whole never letting men pay for our dinner idea to the simply hating men movement that we've all come across once or twice. We are all too familiar with the social media accounts dedicated to rants about how men are basically the worst thing that could have happened to women and how utterly oppressed we are by the American system. Let me just clear something up right now, none of these ideas are even close to representing the true feminist ideology.

First of all, as Christian women, we aren't supposed to be freeing anything that shouldn't be freed. We are called to a life of modesty, grace and humility, so if you think you should have a right to walk around naked in public, well then do you, but do not try to use feminism as your excuse for doing so. Don't get me wrong, as women, we should be proud and unashamed of who we are, but as Christians indecent exposure is the absolute last way to do that. Also, how walking around topless in public holding picket signs is supposed to get respect and equality for women is beyond me.

Second, the whole point of feminism is to strive for the equality of women and men, so by hating and blaming men aren't we doing exactly the opposite? Many women feel unfairly treated in the workplace, in marriage, in the church, in the political sphere and the list goes on and on. These are valid concerns and real issues that need to be dealt with, however, treating an entire gender with disrespect and dishonor is exactly what got us here in the first place, and it is not going to solve anything. Not to mention that it completely misses the fundamental basis of Christianity, which is love.

Feminism at its purest is the desire for equality between men and women. I hope for a nation that doesn't demean anyone based on something like gender. I want equal rights and equal pay and equal respect for everyone. This is true feminism and it is what Jesus lived and taught every single day: to love one another as yourselves and to treat everyone the way you would want to be treated. So yes, I am a Christian and I am a feminist.