Mary breastfeeding JesusThere are a lot of things that shouldn't be done in church. I don't need to list them, do I? We all know what they are, even the heathens. And in one church in Savannah, Georgia, breastfeeding is on the list of lewd things you shouldn't do in front of God. It's unclear who told mom Nirvana Jennette to leave the church service and go to the bathroom to breastfeed her baby, but it was a member of the staff there. Or really many members.
When she refused, Jennette says, they compared her to a stripper.
She shared with WSAV:
I tried many times to educate and talk to them, and let them know we are not second class citizens. We deserve to be with everybody. It got heated; he compared me to a stripper. I get upset just talking about it. He compared me to a stripper, and said breastfeeding is lewd and should be covered up and put away.
Apparently they also asked her never to return to the church. Which is illegal. You see, the law in Georgia states that a mother may breastfeed her baby in any location where she and the baby are allowed to be. Meaning that church should be a place where she is allowed to nurse her baby. If she was attempting to breastfeed her baby in a strip club, however, then no, she would have to leave because baby isn't old enough to be there.
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You see the ridiculousness of it all? Let's be clear, this mom isn't a stripper. Not that there is anything wrong with strippers. But time and place, you know? This mom is a breastfeeding mom who deserves acceptance and respect. The act of breastfeeding should never, ever be compared to stripping. That's sacrilegious! What is wrong with people? Apparently these holy ones have never seen the many religious statues of Mary breastfeeding Jesus.
Do you think they would compare Mary, the Mother of God, to a stripper?
This blasphemy is enough to make anyone agnostic.
Breastfeeding is a spiritual act. At least it was for me. It creates such a beautiful bond between mother and child. And a woman shouldn't be made to feel like she is doing something wrong when she is breastfeeding her child. That, my friends, is gospel.
Jennette has rallied other local moms throughout the state of Georgia and together they are going to have a nurse-in at five different locations to attempt to break this stigma attached to breastfeeding. The protest will take place Monday, March 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A Facebook page has been set up -- Georgia Statewide Nurse-In -- with more information.
What do you think of this church's decision to ask the mom to breastfeed in the bathroom? What about the stripper comparison -- does that anger you?
Image via zieak/Flickr
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Comments 524
Why didn't she just cover up? That's not a lot to ask for especially in church.
LOL Oh man...the idea that people think it's inappropriate to breastfeed in church never fails to crack me up and blow my mind. Unbelievable.
Here's an idea for those offended....stop looking at her tits and pay attention to the sermon you're there for.
It is a church. Do you really think Mary breastfed in front of people? Back in those times, and even more recent times, women were WAY more modest than they are now. Back in Virgin Mary's days it was unacceptable to do do something like breastfeed in public. Hell, until the fifties it was unacceptable to say you were "pregnant" or even show off your pregnant belly. Please dont call this blashemous, its nothing near that. Most women nowadays would have been looked at as whores in biblical times.
Also, a Church is a private organization, they CAN decide what is acceptable and what is not.
I think the guy who confronted her was wrong, though it sounds like the stripper comment came only after a scene was made by both parties, rather then the lead in comment. I would think in church, where modesty has always been a part, she would have used a cover. I see nothing wrong with being respectful to the feelings of those around you.
Well from what I read in the original article they asked her to cover up OR go to the bathroom. It wasn't that she was breastfeeding it is that her boob was hanging out in church of all places. It's not only distracting it is disrespectful. Despite what you granola crunchers wanna say about boobs being feeding bags blah blah blah they are in fact sexual organs when you aren't pregnant, which is like 98% of your life span after puberty - and 100% if you're a man.
I have a lot of respect for her, for not naming her church (last I heard), but I wish she would. As a pastor's wife who breastfeeds in church, I would LOVE to send them a friendly letter! :)