The search giant Google stirred things up last weekend when an employee suggested that women don’t get ahead in tech jobs because of biological differences.
Danielle Brown, who was named vice president at the search giant only a few weeks ago, responded to the memo by saying Google is “unequivocal in our belief that diversity and inclusion are critical to our success.”
In a memo to employees, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said the employee who penned a controversial memo that claimed that women had biological issues that prevented them from being as successful as men in tech had violated its Code of Conduct, and that the post had crossed “the line by advancing harmful gender stereotypes in our workplace.”
He added: “To suggest a group of our colleagues have traits that make them
less biologically suited to that work is offensive and not OK.”
I don’t know what the motive of the Google software engineer, a male employee is that sent out this memo. I don’t know if there is any scientific proof to back up his claim. The issue of gender has long roiled California’s technology sector. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Labor accused Google of underpaying female employees, saying it found “systemic compensation disparities against women” at the company.
Again, I don’t have a clue about his motive. Is he sexist? Maybe. Or maybe he honestly believes that women are at a disadvantage physically when it comes to doing tech jobs. It’s hard to know since Google did not identify him. What’s interesting though is how quickly Google and others were quick to shoot down any notion that men and women are different in any way. Again, I am not suggesting that there hasn’t been gender bias in the workplace for there certainly has. And I personally am all for women getting the same pay as men for the same work. That only seems fair.
But rather than simply defending the idea of fairness in giving equal pay for equal work, Google and others were quick to point out that there is no difference between men and women. Many in the culture now believe making any distinction between the sexes is sexist and unfair; that men and women are the same in every way.
The Bible teaches otherwise. While it acknowledges men and women have equal worth when it comes to their standing and value before God, it clearly teaches they are not equal in function. Some people believe that to make such a distinction though (that men and women though equal in value are not equal in function) is itself sexist and should be abandoned. I disagree. I believe understanding God’s created order for both the sexes brings glory to God.
Before going on, let me say that in no place have women been more demeaned and treated contemptuously than in the Church. In Jesus days, religious Jews treated women as almost subhuman, and many sectors of the body of Christ followed suit. I have heard horror stories of how woman have suffered abuse, rejection, and denied their rightful place in the Church. I am aware this has been the case and abhor how women have been treated at times. I also have the highest regard for women and have been personally impacted in my life by almost as many godly women as men over the years.
Still, I believe Satan has conspired to blur the line of distinction between men and women in the culture. Why is Satan so bent on removing the distinction between the sexes? Simply put, it is an attack on the image of God who made them male and female:
“So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.”
Genesis 1:27
The best way to describe God’s order for the genders is that they are “equal in status, but different in function.” This is not merely a result of the fall—God made this distinction from the beginning. It was part and parcel of his created purpose. One is not better than the other because of their function. Each is valued the same before God while functioning in their different roles.
While the world works overtime to suggest there is no distinction between the genders, we (the Church) should celebrate both are shared value and our differing functions. I am glad my wife is not like me biologically, emotionally, and physically. I am also glad men can’t have babies (the world would be far less populated). Even though sharing a common value in Christ, we are different. I am not better than her, and she is not better than me; we, in fact, complement each other.
So, let’s rid the workplace of unfair practices that hinder women from holding the position for which they qualify. But in so doing, let’s not pursue the ridiculous notion that men and women are the same in every way. Let’s enjoy the way we complement each other. It is a gift from God to each gender.
Neil this is well said. Thank you!!