Christian love

[Yoshie Furuhashi]

>I read this too. It's no surprise. Since Christian faith is an ideological
>expression of historically specific gender relations with combined 
>sadistic and
>masochistic components (gendered sado-masochism), it's only to be 
>expected that
>some gross forms of masculine sadism will come up from time to time. Christian
>men are encouraged to show masculine sadism, Christian women to show feminine
>masochism. But in each the other component lurks under the surface, showing
>itself in certain circumstances
>
>There are  corresponding feminine masochist manifestations. We on 
>the left tend
>to like them a lot more, because they often lead to political action we
>sympathize with, ahd even see as heroic.
>
>Christopher Rhoades Dÿkema

"Masochism" doesn't appear to be so simply gendered in Christianity 
as you suggest ("feminine = masochist vs. masculine = sadist"). 
Here's John Donne desiring to be ravished.

*****   JOHN DONNE (1572-1631)

HOLY SONNETS: BATTER MY HEART, THREE-PERSON'D GOD

Original Text: John Donne, Poems, by J. D. With elegies on the 
authors death (M. F. for J. Marriot, 1633). MICF no. 556 ROBA. Facs. 
edn. Menston: Scolar Press, 1969. PR 2245 A2 1633A. STC 7045.
First Publication Date: 1633.

Batter my heart, three-person'd God, for you
As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;
That I may rise and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend
Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
I, like an usurp'd town to'another due,
Labor to'admit you, but oh, to no end;
Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captiv'd, and proves weak or untrue.
Yet dearly'I love you, and would be lov'd fain,
But am betroth'd unto your enemy;
Divorce me,'untie or break that knot again,
Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
Except you'enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.

<http://www.library.utoronto.ca/utel/rp/poems/donne29.html>   *****

Yoshie