THE evangelical men’s organisation, Promise Keepers, is on the slide – and it is hoping that by opening up its summer conference to women for the first time in its history it might regain some of the support it had in the 1990s.
After 20 years of men-only events, Denver-based Promise Keepers is urging men to bring “the women in their lives” to a July 31-Aug.1 conference marking the group’s anniversary, according to this report.
Said Raleigh Washington, the group’s president:
It’s time for Promise Keepers men to step up and honour women. We’re going to heal the gender divide that exists in America. What better way to challenge a man than nose to nose with his wife, his mother, his sister.
Promise Keepers filled football stadiums and boasted a $117 million budget in the mid-1990s, but has struggled to find an identity since. Revenues declined for several years to about $10.9 million in 2007, according to its tax forms. This year’s budget is $7.5 million, Washington said.
During the group’s peak, critics such as the National Organization of Women accused Promise Keepers of undermining women’s rights and promoting male superiority by calling for wives to submit to their husbands.
NOW alleged that the group encouraged inequality within marriages and taught a doctrine of male superiority
Washington said it hasn’t been decided whether women will be welcome at future events. The event at the University of Colorado replaces what has been a multi-city tour. That format will return next year, Washington said.
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
April 21st, 2009 at 1:12 pm
I just don’t know what to say! but at least I’m the first.
April 21st, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Can anyone tell me who won the Jewish scissor caption comp?
I’ve been away.
April 21st, 2009 at 6:37 pm
chrsbol.
Dunno. We’re still waiting with baited breath. I’ve a space in my bookcase that is just the right size for a Mencken tome.
Come on Barry get your arse in gear!
April 21st, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Come on Barry get your arse in gear!
Oooooooooooohh matron!
April 21st, 2009 at 7:00 pm
chrsbol.
You are a cheeky monkey. I meant he should pull his finger out.
Surely it can’t be that hard!
Just thought I’d give him a nudge, that’s all.
April 21st, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Guys, guys … the pop you just heard was the finger being extracted. Winners will be announced tomorrow. Around midday.
Now please get back on topic!
April 21st, 2009 at 8:05 pm
I remember there being a feature on radio 4 about these people and I listened open mouthed at their stupidity. A bunch of crass, self obsessed, woman-hating morons. Now they are in decline they actually want their women to bail them out. The sad thing is that there is a pretty good chance that they will.
April 21st, 2009 at 8:50 pm
I do like the idea of a National Organisation of Women. I’ve always had the greatest respect for feminists, especially the pretty ones with nice tits!
April 21st, 2009 at 8:59 pm
The award for crass comment of the day goes to – remigius.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Thing is, xtians always denigrate women – 12 male apostles, eve being a baddy, peter’s letters of hate, all the stuff in the da vinci code that dan brown discovered (ahem)
…and in yankland, christians are “born-agains!”- to be born -again - in that you don’t recognise being born of your own mother as valid enough for religidiotic needs, to then have a symbolic and (offensive to intelligent folk) re-birth through a man.
not to mention the Oestregen festival last weekend, or easter – a time of eggs – were somehow jesus is reborn in their minds – and no women have anything to do with a spring fertility festival!
twats.
April 23rd, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Why would women want to bail them out?
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:45 pm
At puberty, there is true love. The hot girl and the cute guy who are sure that they can be happy forever boinking each other. Law of diminishing returns sets in and both become bored. She realizes he’s a selfish jerk, and he realizes that she’s a bipolar harpy. Too late, though, now there’s kids. Choice: split the family or put up with each other indefinitely.
Then a day arrives when both realize that love is a cruel trick nature played on them in order to insure the survival of the species. They’ve both been played, used as a means to an end. Children are adorable, so innocent and defenseless, and raising them is a joy, but, then they become teenagers who resent you and remember nothing of the sacrifices you made.
It’s a comedy really, but we are all the butt of the joke.
Norman Lycan
April 26th, 2009 at 10:39 am
@remigus, you did it again, Barry will send you to the naughty step, if you're not careful