I believe the liberal wing of ECUSA went on a recruiting drive 30 years ago to ordain woman deacons and priests with the belief they would subscribe to the “new” theology more readily. Although many came from the membership, my friends say that many more came from other denominations. In ECUSA they could get a chance not available in other churches and being more emotional than their male counterparts, they would buy into this post-modern baloney easier.
I know that sounds sexist, but that is how it has been explained to me, and it does sound reasonable.
ECUSA did place a large emphasis on feelings rather than a logical examination of doctrine. No doubt this approach was successful in attracting a different quality of person to the church.
You’re not sexist, just realistic. Estrogen is a reality. There is a reason why the bible assumes, expects and assigns male leadership in the Church. It doesn’t demand that in other areas (the ideal woman in Prov. 31 for example is a business woman—who buys and sells real estate—very liberal for that era). In the area of spiritual leadership though, women do tend to be more emotional, more prone to avoid conflict, and more easily led astray...
Why is it, just a few years after women are officially accepted in Church leadership that the homosexual issue came up? Most homosexuals, the men at least, are pitiful types—easy for the mother in women to feel sorry for and sympathize with.
So not only hermeneutically, that is if you ignore the scriptures (and reason, and tradition) on male leadership for women, it makes it easier to ignore the scriptures for the other, homosexuals. Also, the feminization of leadership, and the whole church actually, makes it more likely that the poor pitiful persecuted sissy-types get their way...as Moma-priest(ess) just wants to love people.
Of course I’m simplifying things, and there are many strong women who are not fooled, and, other than their ordination...are faithful to scripture. At the same time, it’s no coincidence that close on the heels of women’s ordination, came the demands to legitimize (in the name of “love”) pansexuality.