The Call of the Witch

One of the most compelling spiritual movements in contemporary America is witchcraft. The witchcraft of the modern day is at the intersection of religion, politics, and social justice. It also has an immense appeal to many millennial Americans. What was once an underground effort for spiritual diversity and gender equality is now a profound defiance that is meant to shake the foundations of American politics, current social constructions, and structured religions.

When one hops down the rabbit hole of the massive online witch community, she will likely find an abundance of ethereal photographs, luscious poetic incantations, esoteric wisdom, and a fury bubbling up through hastags of #hexthepatriarchy and #witchesagainstwhitesupremacy.

Similar to many American religious movements, witches are using their spiritual practices and codes to transform society. This movement stands out due to its palpable resistance to the current systems integrated with occult practices and traditions that are often seen as taboo. Earlier new age and witchcraft movements focused on “divine feminine” feminism, while the current movement emphases dismantling the entire structure that perpetuates gender and racial differences and injustices.

A common expression found within the witch community is “if you can heal, you can hex.” This goes with the notion that in order for there to be true balance in the universe, we must accept both light and dark aspects of the world and ourselves. “Insisting on “positivity” and “light” is for those who want to keep up the barriers of class and racial privilege.” (Burton). Recently, witches by the masses hexed figures such as Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh and President Donald Trump. Thousands participated in online and in-person rituals to hex or “bind” those in power, whom they felt were oppressive and corrupt. These online rituals and spells were broadcast live through Facebook and other forms of social media. ““The harm we want to inflict on Kavanaugh and Trump is that they be exposed and shown for what they are and ousted or at least discredited,” Dakota Bracciale, co-owner of Catland Books.” (Stubley).

What may come to mind when one thinks of a witch is strange images of wild women dancing naked in the woods, women performing blood sacrifices on the full moon, or sorceresses seducing victims to cast evil spells upon for their own gain. Fables, folklore, and urban legends have established the archetype of the witch and colored the lens through which we understand witchcraft as a spiritual practice. The witches of today are not evil doers of harm. Many use their magic and ritual practices to bring more beauty and humanity into the world, while others use it to further social justice, gender equality, and to tear down social conditioning that does more harm than any spell ever could. Much like praying for peace, witches pray for justice, equality, and the right to worship outside of the existing religious institutions.

Perhaps witchcraft is a religious movement that is driven largely by technology and the internet. Many witches today display their “path” and sacred/healing services online. The hashtag #witchesofinstagram has over two million posts tagged. From beautiful images snapped with a camera phone and blogs of poetry and spells, to tarot readings and spellwork offerings, the online world of witchcraft is vibrant. Witches are utilizing all modern options to influence the communities they are a part of and to create platforms for social change. Mixing this newer, eclectic, DIY religion with technology is fertile grounds for a movement all about social, political, and religious revolution.

References

Burton, Tara Isabella. “Witchcraft Becomes a Political Stance – and a Booming Business.” Religion News Service, 15 Feb. 2019, davidgibson.religionnews.com/2019/02/14/witchcraft-becomes-a-political-stance-and-a-booming-business/.

Stubley, Peter. “Witches Place Mass Hex on Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 21 Oct. 2018, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/brett-kavanaugh-hex-new-york-witches-protest-brooklyn-supreme-court-sexual-assault-a8594581.html.

Familial Values: Drawing the Line Between Life and the Law

            Opposing political views are some of the most dividing factors in our nation today. Because of the way the American government is constructed, people often take sides against each other instead of against the problems our nation faces. Generally, these sides are chosen depending on your religious views, or lack thereof. Conservatives tend to be more religious and traditional, whereas liberals tend to value equality and usually aren’t as theologically based.

In just the past few weeks, numerous laws have been made across the country pertaining to abortion. President Trump has been cutting funding for planned parenthood, and limiting healthcare that would enable women to receive these procedures. On March 7^th, a bill was passed in Tennessee which denied women the ability to abort after a fetal heartbeat was detected. This is one of the most controversial subjects between the two parties, namely because of the part religion has to play in politics. Bills like this are being passed all over the country, always by conservative political parties.

Abortions did not become legal across the nation until fairly recently. In fact, just 50 years ago from last Thursday, women in Washington DC held a rally pushing for a change to the laws that forbid them. For the first time, protesters publicly told their horrific stories of abortion, which wasn’t nearly as safe and humane as it is today. The location of this rally? The front steps of the Washington Square Methodist Church.

So why is it that so many conservatives support the pro-life stance? Their main argument against abortion is that they don’t conform to family values. According to Seth Dowland in his book Family Values, he talks about the hierarchy of family, and how supporters of protestant family values believed that the position of motherhood was a great honor. These values were quintessential to the structure of American religious families.

The location of the abortion march held 5 decades ago was not coincidence. Religious followers still present the greatest opposition to abortion, as they have throughout history.

In the article recalling this historic speak-out, readers are reminded of the struggles that have passed and the ones to come, but also of the progress made.

Links:

Religions role in space travel

Franklin Chapman

3/28/19

In 1971 astronaut Edgar Mitchell landed on the Moon on Apollo 14.  With him, we had a large number of science experiments to do on the Lunar surface.  At this time in the Apollo program, the only reason to send humans to the Moon was for scientific experiments.  But Edgar Mitchell was taking something else along with him that some people would say is just as important as science.  He brought along with him a copy of the King James Bible to leave on the Moon forever. This is the first example of the bible or a holy scripture making its way off the planet, a million miles out into the fast reaches of space to touch down on a gray airless world to be left for the rest of time.  A recent example would be Israel’s space probe currently on its way to the Moon. This space probe is highly unusual for many reasons. For one its launch date was a struggle for the Jewish people launching it. In an article from “Religion News Service” titled “For Israeli Lunar Lander, faith provides inspiration and challenges”, author Jack Jenkins gives an overview of the role religion has had in this humble space probe heading to the Moon.  First, he talks about how originally the launch date for the space probe called Beresheet was suppose to launch on a Saturday. But for the Jewish religion, Saturday is the Sabbath, and thus Jewish people are not meant to work on that day. Alexander Friedman, who is currently in charge of the mission as we speak said in the article “Because I am religion guy, I am forbidden to work on Saturday…”(Alexander Friedman, Jack Jenkins, paragraph 5). Friedman goes on to say that he and his team had many talks with SpaceX (The company who launched the Beresheet spacecraft on their Falcon 9 rocket) about moving the launch date to a day other than Saturday.  And they were able to convince SpaceX to launch on an earlier day. They ended up launching on the Thursday before.

   It is a common thing to think that religion and science can not co-exist, or even work together.  But if the Beresheet spacecraft actually end up landing on the Moon successfully, not only will it have defied the odds of being the first privately funded spacecraft to land on the Moon.  But it will also defy anyone saying that religion and science can work together. Israel is a highly religious country, and it is about to join the ranks of literal superpowers of the world by landing on the Moon.  As of today, the only countries that have landed something on the Moon has been China, Russia, and the United States. And now a tiny country from the middle east is about to attempt it. The ability to have both expert scientists working in collaboration with religious leaders is a testament to how our world is constantly changing its view on the interaction of the two.

Work cited“For Israeli Lunar Lander, Faith Provides Inspiration and Challenges.” Religion News Service, 28 Mar. 2019, religionnews.com/2019/03/27/for-israeli-lunar-lander-faith-provides-inspiration-and-challenges/.

Should They be Forgiven for Their Insensitivity and Hateful Actions?

Less that one month ago the stepsister of Anne Frank, Eva Schloss, traveled to Newport Beach, California; however, she was not there for vacation. Eva Schloss went to a high school to speak about the holocaust, and Nazi Germany. 

She was called to speak at the high school  because of a party that occurred. At this party the people attending made a solo cup swastika and were seen to be hailing Hitler. 

Solo cup swastika at the party with students hailing Hitler

There were also hateful messages saying things such as “German rage cage,” “German engineering,” and “master race” and much more. 

When Schloss was speaking to the students she saw them tearing up and claims  that she could tell that “They didn’t realize the impact. They were very sorry” because they were tearing up and even apologizing for their hateful actions. The students spoke with regret. Some students said things along the lines of “My actions were disgusting, appalling, irresponsible” or “The horrible, horrible things that I said were a terrible attempt to be funny.” Students even claimed that they did not think before acting. 

Students apology letter

However, the day after Schloss spoke at the school there were flyers plastering the school with swastikas and  more hate filled comments a long the lines of Hitler did the right thing and prevented the Jews from taking over the world. Authorities do not know if those who posted the flyers were the kids at the party or if they were another group, some think that it might not have been students and could have been community members.  

The holocaust occurred  over 70 years ago, yet acts of anti semitism have increased nearly  94% in 2017 alone, and only 11 states in the US legally require them to educated their students about the holocaust. 

These acts are racist and target people with specific religious backgrounds. How are these actions helping bring equal treatment, or  equal respect to those with values that differ from ours. Although these acts are not violent, or have yet to turn towards violence, how do they differ from those such as the New Zealand Mosque shootings, or even the holocaust it self? Comments, actions, and beliefs are what led to the mosque shooting and even the holocaust. What can we do to prevent these things from happening? 

Reading the articles I was wondering what punishment are these students facing. This lead me to ask, If they are not receiving punishment (or even only receiving a small one) what  is keeping them from doing this again? With 38 states not requiring the students to be educated of the holocaust, what steps can our government take? Should the students be forgiven for their hatred and insensitivity? 

On a similar note, in my high school (a small charter school in Thornton, Colorado) there were increasing rates of anti semitism towards the teachers who were Jewish throughout my junior and senior year. People carved swastikas in the lab benches, and on calculator screens. They even posted memes about teachers comparing them to jewish people who died in concentration camps and geotagged it in Auschwitz. What can  you as an individual do to prevent or stop actions that are racist toward people with religious backgrounds that are not congruent to yours?

Articles used :

https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/12/us/california-swastikas-at-school/index.html

https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/08/us/california-holocaust-survivor-talks-to-students/index.html

Work cited

Becker, Stephanie. “High School Plastered with Swastikas after Holocaust
Survivor Visit.” CNN, Cable News Network, 13 Mar. 2019, http://www.cnn.com/2019/03/12/us/california-swastikas-at-school/index.html.

Simon, Mallory, and Sara Sidner. “Anne Frank’s Stepsister Meets Teens Who Partied with Swastika.” CNN, Cable News Network, 8 Mar. 2019, http://www.cnn.com/2019/03/08/us/california-holocaust-survivor-talks-to-students/index.html.

New Zealand: A Dark Future or a Lighter Path?

At approximately 7 in the morning MDT on Friday March 15th, a white nationalist Australian named Brenton Tarrant attacked two mosques in quick succession in an attempt to kill as many individuals practicing the Islamic faith as he could. Individuals he chose to think of as immigrants and “plagues” in New Zealand. Tarrant used social media to post a long racist document called “The Great Replacement”. A term used by many anti-immigration movements in Europe. In the end 49 people lost their lives with many more requiring intensive surgery. Tarrant was a deranged, racist, evil individual who believed his actions were for the betterment of society. However, it only casts more light on a problem that has been extremely prevalent in the international community. The question now is does this paint a dark painting for the future or can we find light within the dark?

Many could look at this event or those preceding it as a dangerous trend on the rise within the worldwide community. Recent reactions across the world present a dark image of what has happened and what is to come. It is understandable to look upon this attack and those like it with  distaste. However, we cannot let this event dictate how we see the world around us. Through this tragedy, we can see a rise of support that can show that despite the hatred we experience now, there is a brighter future.

In the aftermath of the attack groups of people have bonded together and moved forward with uniting against hatred. The stories we see coming out of the international community as a result of these attacks show the strong bond that we as humans can create in the face of adversity. A prime example is near the New Zealand embassy in Tel Aviv, both those of Jewish and Islamic faith prayed together for the victims of the attack together. Two groups of marginally differing beliefs came together in prayer for those who suffered. Two groups with a long history of conflict and violence between them set aside their difference in order to join together in the face of tyranny.

Another example is several world leaders from US President Donald Trump and British Queen Elizabeth the 2nd all the way to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have expressed their condolences and their support to those of New Zealand. It may be true that each of these individuals have their own beliefs on the true source of the problem but at least they agree it’s a problem. And instead of turning their backs on other, they supported the hurting nation and showed their willingness to come together to show their disapproval of such awful actions.

A personal example is of  95 year old WW2 veteran, John Sato, and his long journey to make an anti-racism rally in New Zealand. This is just a prime example of the compassion people can feel for others when they are hurting. And the lengths we can and will go to in order to support each other.

In conclusion, although it is true that what happened in New Zealand is awful and just one of unfortunately many incidents. However, we can see that despite the religious differences, the hatred, and the hurt, we can all come together to help our fellow man. This may have been an attack on those of the Islamic faith, but despite that there is diamonds in the rough. But I ask you reader, do you think this is a sign of things to come or can we look at the bright side?

In Tel Aviv, Jews join with Muslims in vigil mourning New Zealand dead

Mosque attacks spark outrage, fuel concern over Islamophobia

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2019/03/27/john-sato-95-took-4-buses-rally-after-new-zealand-mosque-attacks/3293497002/

2018 General Social Survey Shows ‘nones’ Are The Largest “Religious” Group In America

The General Social Survey (GSS), that was taken in 2018, was just released. Its results show that people who do not identify with a particular religion, ‘nones’, are not only the fastest growing religious group in America, but they are actually the largest group in America statistically. For years Evangelical and Catholic religious groups have been the dominant religion in America, with both claiming just less than 25 percent of the population according to the GSS. There was fear that Trumps presidency would scare a large number of people away from Evangelical churches, but this recent survey has show that there has not been any significant decrease in evangelicals. However, over the last 20 years there has been a massive increase in the number of people who do not identify with a religion, which correlates with a similarly sharp decline in the number of followers of “Mainline Christianity” (Mainline Christians include Methodists, Episcopalians, and Baptists). According to the GSS 23.1 percent of Americans identify as ‘nones’.

Even though the percentage of the population that claims no religious affiliation is staggering the percentage of ‘nones’ that don’t believe in God is actually very low, only 22 percent. This suggest that the vast majority of ‘nones’ in America are non-practicing people with Christian/Muslim/Jewish beliefs or are agnostics. Additionally, the largest number of people becoming ‘nones’ are Mainline Christians, who were at one point the largest religious affiliation in America, but have now fallen to roughly 12 percent of affiliation. The theory is that many Mainline Christians have steadily stopped practicing at their churches and have begun identifying as non-practicing.

One of the articles about this recent census discussed the political ramifications of this recent increase in ‘nones’. Allegedly, white evangelicals vote mostly conservative and compose roughly 26 percent of electors at the polls. This means that evangelicals have a disproportionately large political impact compared to their actual population percentage. The reason for this is, according to Religion News, evangelicals are, generally speaking, Caucasian and are comprised of an older population group. On the flip side, the religiously non-affiliated tend to vote more liberal because of their younger and more racially diverse demographic. However, they have, traditionally, had low turnout at the polls. The continuing rise in ‘nones’ will no doubt cause a shift in the political scene, favoring Democrats.

Links:

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/march/evangelical-nones-mainline-us-general-social-survey-gss.html

‘Nones’ now as big as evangelicals, Catholics in the US

In a World of Violence, Violence Isn’t Really Condemned

Muslims were targeted once again in a mass shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand. The attack left 49 dead and approximately twenty more wounded in two mosques in the city of 400,000.  The white gunman posted his racist manifesto and live footage of the rampage on social media for all the world to see. The man claimed retaliation for Muslim attacks around the world and is said to have chosen New Zealand to demonstrate that nowhere is exempt from the flood of Muslim immigration. 

In recent years, hundreds have been murdered while worshipping around the world; but it is Muslims who are most frequently targeted and many are blaming Islamophobia for the prevalence of attacks on Muslims. Some of these Muslims have been killed by non-Muslims, as was the case in Christchurch; but often they have been killed by other Muslim groups. 

Leaders around the world today condemned the attacks and the perpetrator. He was, some say, a highly racist individual. People throughout New Zealand and the rest of the world are proclaiming solidarity with the victims and the Muslim community. What is incongruent in these pledges of support is that they come from different countries and different groups, many of which are involved in war upon one another. Leaders in the Middle East, Afghanistan and Israel who have condemned the attacks today have been and continue to be engaged in violent opposition to Muslims who have fled such violence in their homelands and made new homes in places like Christchurch. 

Many claim Islamophobia, and certainly there is plenty of it, but New Zealand is one among many countries who have welcomed Muslim refugees and have provided aid as the settlers begin life anew having left everything behind. 

The attacker himself claims that whites are suffering at the hands of Muslims and he justifies murdering so many as retaliation but he selected Christchurch, a location where mostly Christians have welcomed Muslims, and where they now are supporting the mourners and the fearful. It doesn’t stand to reason that most whites would condone such a slaughter when they are far more likely yet to offer aid and condolences to the suffering Muslims.

It seems many are very eager to condemn such atrocities upon any people, in this case upon Muslims. Other people seeking to condemn the violence refuse to acknowledge their part in supporting the cycle of violence. Until people can recognize that they are part of the normalization of this, there is little likelihood of change. 

References 

New Zealand mosque shooter broadcast slaughter on Facebook
By NICK PERRY and MARK BAKER, March 15, 2019.

https://www.apnews.com/ce9e1d267af149dab40e3e5391254530

Mosque attacks spark outrage, fuel concern over Islamophobia

Mosque attacks spark outrage, fuel concern over Islamophobia

Photos of the Week
March 15, 2019

Photos of the Week

Islamophobia and It’s Recent Impact

3/15/19 Nathan Barrus

           “Islamophobia” is a term that has grown in significance ever since the September 11^th attack on the World Trade Center in the United States. Islamophobia refers to fearing all Muslims because a few radicals commit acts of terror.  Recently, fear has led people to act out in violence.  Today in New Zealand, two Islamic Mosques were attacked.  49 people died and 20 were wounded.  In the article, “Mosque attacks fuel outrage, fuel concern over Islamophobia,” Mike Corder documents the reactions of important people across the world.  Their reactions show how fear can cause people to commit the very atrocities that a person fears.

This history of Islamophobia shows that fear has steadily increased over time.  What starts as simple protesting against Muslims has led to full on attacks.  Iran’s foreign minster criticized some countries tolerance of Muslim protests.  He said some countries “defend the demonization of Muslims ‘as freedom of expression.’”  As people express Islamophobic ideas, people get the message that Muslims are to be feared.  Tolerating these ideas spreads fear.  When fear gets out of control, it turns into misunderstanding and hate.  One general of an Islamic Nations group said “this attack further warns (the world) of the dangers of hate, intolerance and islamophobia.”  When fear turns to hate and intolerance, violent crimes follow.  Along with this recent attack Canada reported a similar attack in 2017 when “six Muslim men were shot and killed.”   Fear has progressed from anti-Muslim propaganda and protesting to violent crimes.

Muslims just want to be treated fairly and with respect.  The terrorist attack from radical Muslims does not represent the majority of peaceful practitioners.  Christians profess that they are a religion of peace, but they must remember that their history has been one tainted with blood.  The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in the United States was not unlike the terrorist attacks of today.  Many of those people though they were doing their Christian duty.  Christians today expect to put those dark practices in the past.  The Muslims of today are only asking the same.  Pakistans Prime minister put it like this, “these increasing terrorist attacks of Islamophobia…(are because) 1.3 billion Muslims are blamed by the actions of only one.”

A person acting in fear often commits the very act he or she fears.  Because of terrorist attacks by radical Muslims, people fear being attack in the places they feel safe.  The Prime Minister of Canada said, “all too often people experience great sorrow and loss in places they should feel the safest.”  Living without fear is one of the universal human rights brought forth after World War 2.   Losing people at work and home is unimaginable.  Acting in fear, hatred and misunderstanding and killing people in their worship is the very act that people fear.  One cannot fight fear with fear.  Fear breeds misunderstanding.  To combat fear, understanding forgiveness and justice are the most powerful weapons. 

In conclusion, Islamophobia has increased throughout the past two decades, Christians should identify with the pleas of Muslims, and acting out of fear will only lead to committing the acts you fear.  With understanding, forgiveness and justice true peace can be found for Muslims and Christians alike.

Mosque attacks spark outrage, fuel concern over Islamophobia

Christian Opposition to Captain Marvel’s Feminist Theme

Last Friday, March 8^th, Marvel released its latest superhero movie: Captain Marvel. The movie sought to make Carol Danvers, the main character, an iconic feminist role model for young girls and women everywhere. However, there has been backlash against this feminist agenda among the Christian community. In his article Behold Your Queen, The Real Conflict in Captain Marvel, Greg Morse cites the Danvers statement and “traditional” American family values to “lament Disney’s new queen.”

Morse uses the Danvers statement to assert that the idea of “sameness between the sexes” is simply a myth. Using the idea of the “traditional” American family, he then moves on to “mourn” when men sought to “protect and cherish [our] women.” He goes on further to note that Captain Marvel advocates for daughters and mothers to shed blood on the battlefield; however, he claims that through excluding women on the battlefield, men are affirming, respecting, and honoring their women. This sentiment reflects the idea of the “breadwinning” husband and upholds the family values that were used during the mid-20^th century to oppose the feminist movement.

In fact, during this time, many conservative Evangelical women used their roles as mothers and wives to support or lead the fight against feminism. Phyllis Schaffly was a prominent figure during this time who led the STOP ERA (Stop Taking Our Privileges) movement. This movement sought to stop the ERA ratification to the US constitution which proclaimed, “equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex” (Dowland, pg. 143). She led this movement through using her stance as a submissive woman, as a wife, and as a mother to garner support. She promoted her claim to “stop ERA” through asserting that doing so would protect her rights to be a wife and to be a mother.

The sentiment of the STOP ERA movement and the opposition to feminism in the mid-20^th century echoes heavily throughout Morse’s article. Morse uses his religion and his union with Christ to uphold this sentiment and to oppose the message that Marvel sends through Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel). He goes on to compare men, husbands, and fathers to Christ, “the good shepherd who laid his life down for his people,” and, moreover, through his suffering “saw to the welfare of his mother”.

Therefore, the anti-Captain Marvel sentiment stems from family values that have been heavily rooted in Christian culture which began to appear decades before the movie’s release. Carol Danvers’ rise to “superhero” greatly contrasts the deep-seated feminist opposition conservative Christians have held: the inherent difference between men and women as asserted in the Danvers statement and the idea of “traditional” family values. Many rejoiced in the movie’s strong feminist message and others, like Morse, grieved the conservative Christian ideals which opposed – and continue to oppose – feminism.

Citations:

• Dowland, S. (2015). Feminism. In Family Values and the Rise of the Christian Right (pp. 129 – 153). Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.
• Morse, G. (March 11, 2019). Behold Your Queen: The Real Conflict in Captain Marvel. Retrieved from: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/behold-your-queen

Worldwide Women’s Education

Women all over the world are struggling to find their place in countries dominated by men. This is especially true in third world or developing countries. The struggle for them to be able to obtain an education in a society that disapproves is unacceptable. From cultural to financial reasons, the world is in a place where it is not prospering in areas that it should be. Education is an important aspect contributing to the state of the world and denying women of the opportunity will only send us further into a negative spiral.

Nearly half a million people have been killed, and millions of others have been forced to leave their homes. This makes it difficult for the women and girls who want to attend school to have the opportunity to do so. However, one nun makes this possible for a small number of girls. Sister Orla Treacy, a principal at the Loreto Secondary School, who has recently received a Women of Courage Award. Sister Treacy’s school has roughly 300 students in attendance and has become a premier boarding school in the country. Sister Treacy in a way has set a precedent for not only Catholic churches, but all churches worldwide.  Worldwide, the ratio of women to men not attending school is 122 to 100 (UNESCO). This, however, changes when you only look at developing countries where the ratio doubles or even quadruples in the lowest class of third world countries. The reasons for this disparity are unacceptable. Being from a first world country, we do not have the same type of cultural holds that women in those other countries face. We are not viewed as property that can be used to trade for cows or other livestock. Our only purpose is not just staying at home tending to a family. This difference however, comes from education.

The United States, though not perfect all the time, serves as a model for how women should be educated. We have access to world class teachers and schools, policies that do not allow for discrimination, and the financial funding to back our programs. In the countries facing this issue, that is not always the case. In an interview with Sister Treacy, she explains that one of the most pressing challenges she faces is finding qualified teachers that are willing to work for less wages than what can be provided by U.N. agencies and non-government organizations. The churches in the United States are some of the most lucrative in the world.  They, granted are putting their money toward other respectable causes, should start looking for opportunities to help further global women’s education, especially financially. If not financially, the churches should be looking for teachers who would be willing to make the sacrifice.

Another important factor, is that South Sudan is a relatively new country and because of Sister Treacy’s presence, she has made the restrictions placed on women less than in other developing countries. She used the opportunity to help the community see the young girls and boys as equals (Nzwili).  With this, South Sudan is starting to find its way even though it is still in distress. The educated women of South Sudan can now serve as a model to women in other countries as well as the country itself. It shows that girls can be educated and it does not have a negative impact on the host country.

Sister Treacy’s school is a big feat for women in South Sudan. However, the problem doesn’t stop at only one school in one country thriving. If other churches around the world are putting their best efforts in to educate women, churches in the United States need to also. With a plethora of resources, both financially and in personal, the United States is in a prime place to help the women in need.

Sources:

Nun in South Sudan honored for protecting education for girls

http://www.ungei.org/news/247_2165.html