Original Sin and Women

So I'm getting a much better grasp of this whole original sin deal. Looked at in a systematic way, yes, I believe that we are born into a fucked up world, where relationships (all kinds) are ordered not in any authentic way, but are ordered in a hierarchical fashion that prevents true authenticity. Without true authenticity and given the ripple of evils and sins from past generations we are hard pressed to walk a truly authentic life. We're often forced to choose the lesser of evils, not the best of possible goods. I can make sense of this. What I don't get is how sin (not "original" in any Augustinian or Catholic sense) is the reason for death and decay. I don't get the biological implications that seem to linger about in the theology. They're secondary considerations, but seem to play out in the way we non-theologians think about sin and the body. Can there still be any theological validity to it in light of actual biology?

Yeah, Tuesdays and Fridays I have my theological anthropology class. Does it show?

I also made the mistake of going to chapel today for a service in honor of International Womens Day. God, I'm such a hard hearted bitch. As beautiful, well structured, all encompassing, etc etc as it was I just can't stand fruity services. I had to sit and pray that my heart would not be so hard. And, I had this image of Athena filling the chapel. My heart wasn't opened, but it wasn't as hard. I think I need to learn more about this Athena. Lately I just can't seem to grasp hold of Mary as any sort of comfort or inspiration. I was thinking of writing my thesis on Mary as the feminine face of the Divine, but I'm wondering if she isn't just a mere muddy girl (as per Elizabeth Johnson) and her Theotokos qualities just inventions of men to throw a bone to women and pagan converts in the early centuries (and to help in their formation of Christological dogma).

Whew. I'm all worked up today. That's good. I guess that means I'm getting my money's worth.

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I just read one of my class mate's papers for this week. Mine is also due. I'm trying to do waaayy too much in a measely 5 page biography. God, how like me. I make everything so much harder than it needs to be. Is this a manifestation of some kind of over-acheiver-ness? What's my deal?? I suspect it's a manifestion of the "not good enough" baloney. Someday I'll get rid of that voice...... right?

Off to read. What I'd really like to do is go have coffee with some of my sassy female friends old and new. Alas, most of you are far away and I have given up coffee for Lent. And oddly enough the soy chais around here are not so good.

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Oh my God, I'm churched out. I've had more "church" in the last 24 hours than I have in months combined. Prayer and meditation last night, prayer and Original Sin hoo-ha in class today, stupid chapel, then liturgy at the Orthodox Institute..... oy. I'm done. I've gone and become an over-acheiver about Lent. Someone stop me before I hurt myself. Or get holy. Or something.