Oakleaf, me a women's libber?!!! Oh no, far from it, and I certainly have no axe to grind with men - I love men. I'd be interested to know how, and why, you've formulated those opinions of me, Oakleaf, since nothing could be further from the truth.
I do agree that men and women do have separate roles to play - and although they can never be equal simply because they are different, that doesn't mean one is less than the other. However, although I much prefer men as leaders in almost all walks of life, if women wish to become priests, then it's their choice, but since I don't go to church, this particular issue isn't important to me. Having said that, I think Kroozer has it right to some degree, in that political correctness has played a role in the emergence of women priests.
As for overturning the wisdom of two thousand years, was St Paul wise, was he a power freak, or was he deluded? And are Christians wise to give him credence when they are well aware that he didn't know Jesus and made the rules up as he went along? In my opinion, in accepting St Paul's teachings as 'gospel' (sorry) Christians and the churches, are completely missing, or deliberately ignoring, the whole point in Jesus' message. Ever seen the opulence of St Peter's in Rome, or of any of the major churches come to that? Not exactly as Jesus would have done it, surely? Being biased, as you are, towards St Paul, certainly blinds you to the truth, Oakleaf.
I must take issue with you on your requirement for an unchangeable anchor to hold on to. You say that anchor is the scriptures, but that's nonsense. Christians interpret the scriptures in whatever way suits them, so unchangeable they are not.
Incidentally, it has been suggested that Jesus was not only married to Mary Magdalene, but that she was his foremost disciple and greatest confidante. No one knows the truth, but if that were found to be true, where would it