Outing at a Book Club

I went to the Relief Society’s book club last night. We just moved into my parent’s ward so my mother has been strongly encouraging me to participate in ward activities. I have been to the last two Enrichment activities and a ward social…I almost don’t recognize myself, this is so unlike me.

Last night was the first meeting of the book club in over a year so instead of discussing a book, there was a discussion on how this book club was going to be different. Now you might ask how a book club could be different, don’t you just read a book and then discuss it? Typically yes, but because the last book club had discussed some books with naughty words and a few sex scenes, the bishop now has to approve our choice of books. Yes, you did read that right, the bishop will be approving the book before we are allowed to read it.

I’m poking fun but this doesn’t really bother me. If the bishop’s stamp of approval helps some women feel better about reading I guess that’s a good thing. Plus, I can still read whatever I want (Playboy magazine articles here I come!)

After we discussed several books that might be interesting, the conversation divulged into pleasant chitter-chatter about various topics. One woman mentioned that she blogged which caught my interest. We had a brief conversation about blogging at which point my mother decided it was the perfect moment to out me as a feminist.

I am not ashamed of being a feminist, I love being a feminist! My heart and soul are devoted to making the world a better place for women and children. I wouldn’t leave my baby every day if I didn’t deeply believe that I could fight a tiny bit of injustice to make women’s lives a little easier. I hold my feminism high.

But I have to say that I was taken aback by my outing. I don’t usually talk about my feminism or political beliefs with church members, I find it too painful. I have had so many hateful words thrown at me, questioning my intellect, reason and relationship with God. I have become wary of what I say and who I say it to.

Most the women were apathetic to the news that I was a feminist mostly because it’s fairly obvious, I never try to hide who I am. There were some comments that showed a misunderstanding of feminism and feminists but hopefully I can help to clear up some of the misperceptions that are out there. Some of the women even wanted my blog address. If you’re one of my book club sisters, welcome to my blog! Feel free to look around and please, ask me questions, I think we can have a good dialogue even if we don’t always agree.