"Rape Culture"

     There seems to be quite a bit of talk lately about so-called “rape culture” in the world. People of every theological, spiritual, and intellectual stripe are throwing around all kinds of explanations for this heinous act of violence. More often than not however, it comes down to the blame game. Some people blame women for “putting themselves on display” or “being where they shouldn't be.” Others blame men for thinking sex is due them or looking down on women or not listening when she says no. The problem with any one step explanation is the fact that this issue is more complex than that. Every situation is different and every rape has its own causes and its own victims. I will say this; ultimately 'rape culture' is a necessary result of a 'sex culture.'

     Put down your pitchforks please and let me explain that statement. The camp that blames men generally tries to do two things: point out the wrong mindset and behavior of offending males, and make all non-offending males appear to part of the problem simply because of their gender. The camp that blames women tries to make men out to be some sort of automatic machines that can do nothing more than react to stimuli; thus a scantily clad women creates sexual desire which the man has no choice but to act upon. Both camps are wrong not because they are inherently wrong but because the problem is both more complex and more simple than they would claim. Men are to blame because they are the perpetrators (most of the time). Many men do in fact have a horribly skewed view of women and that viewpoint plays out in their lives. Women are not to blame but are not without responsibility either, you cannot have your social cake and eat it too in this case. You cannot flaunt your sexuality and expect no one to notice, you cannot go home with a man you only met that night in a dark bar and simply expect perfect safety. The rapist is still the only one to blame, and in many if not most instances the woman involved did nothing wrong or unwise; but not always. Like I said, ultimately you really can't blame the victim in this kind of thing, the blame simply can't go in that direction, but the responsibility gets on all of us. The real cause behind a “rape culture” where women are afraid and every man is seen as a potential attacker, is sin.

“...although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man; and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

(Romans 1:21-32)

     Part of the world's fallen state is the idea that we can rightfully engage in sexual activity outside of the confines of marriage, outside of the limits that God has put in place. We want the reward without the risk, the pay check without the work, the benefits without the responsibility. You see it everywhere in movies and music and books and TV and in the minds of the people you know, sex is a natural part of a romantic relationship. Even that definition doesn't work today as many people see it as just a recreational activity at best that requires no special relationship between the individuals involved. Sex was meant to be a benefit to marriage and a means by which a husband and wife bonded even more closely. Taking it from the marriage bed and putting on public display has destroyed what it was meant for and opened the gates for a host of issues that we now have to deal with as a society.

     When you have a population of people with no set moral compass, a people who believe that sex is something with no boundaries, no rules, and without even a final definition, you will have those who choose to simply take what they want. Rape is a horrible vivid picture of a very simple problem. Humanity is fallen and wants to remain as such. Ultimately the reason that some people are raped is the same reason someone steals or murders or cheats-they want it. They want it and they don't give a second thought to the idea that taking it might be wrong. The thief takes what they want, the cheat says what they want, the murderer takes the life they want, and all because of pride and sin.

     Women should not have to think of every man as a potential attacker because male society should be on the look out to protect those (of any gender) that are weaker than themselves. Men shouldn't have to walk on egg shells trying to appear safe and non-threatening at all times and in all ways; we cannot sustain that kind of life. Sin destroys what it touches, branching out and infecting everything connected to it. Our explanations will always fall short if they fail to address the simple obvious fact that humanity is desperately in need of a Savior.

**Note**

     For those of you who may disregard my thoughts because of my gender, after all what can a man say about this, know that I have a source for my perspectives. Someone who taught me what I believe and who has a very real understanding of it. Someone who shall go unnamed here but has every right to talk about it.