Each ticket granted attendees entry into a raffle for various prizes, one of which was a guided bow-fishing trip in Ohio led by a visiting pastor. The pastor made it clear that this trip was intended for men only, jokingly telling guests to “leave those wives at home.” Thompson thought, “Is this for real?”
When she saw another woman placing her ticket into the raffle for the fishing trip, Thompson decided to join in. However, when the pastor drew the other woman’s name, he promptly rejected her claim to the prize, stating it was exclusively for men. When Thompson’s name was drawn next, she faced the same disappointment. “I was told I couldn’t go because I’m a woman,” she lamented.
“I’ve fished and hunted with many men and have always received respect, especially from a church which preaches equality. I was shocked by the response,” Thompson said, expressing her disbelief that such a situation could occur in 2021. Unfortunately, Faithful Baptist Church confirmed that their decision was based on safety concerns rather than discrimination.
In a now-removed Facebook post, Pastor Mark Anderson explained the church’s rationale. He claimed that, due to the prevalence of sexual misconduct allegations, he wanted to avoid situations that could lead to misunderstandings or false accusations. “We made this choice for personal protection, not out of discrimination,” he stated.
He acknowledged that the stipulations were communicated during the raffle ticket collection. “Unfortunately, at least two ladies chose to submit their tickets despite the clear guidelines,” he added.
Let’s be clear: the guidelines were reiterated multiple times, so it seems like Thompson should have known better than to enter the raffle, right? After all, allowing a woman on a fishing trip with men might lead to trouble—or so the church seems to believe.
Anderson eventually reached out to express his regret over the miscommunication and to offer an apology, but Thompson felt slighted. “I haven’t heard from anyone directly. It shouldn’t be hard to find me on social media,” she noted, emphasizing that she received no calls or messages.
The pastor further mentioned that the church could consider organizing a women-only fishing trip, insisting they would never intentionally make a woman feel unwelcome. However, Thompson disagreed and asserted that she wasn’t interested in a consolation prize.
“Hunting and fishing are sports that demand respect—for the sport, the environment, and the catch. They are co-ed activities, and women deserve the same opportunities as men. If we don’t advocate for equality, we’ll never achieve it,” she stated passionately.
As far as Thompson is concerned, this incident won’t deter her passion. The Pennsylvania trout season begins on April 3, 2021, and she declared, “I will keep participating in hunting and fishing for the rest of my life.”
When asked for further comments, Faithful Baptist Church declined to respond.
For those interested in other resources or discussions regarding women’s rights and equality, be sure to check out this insightful article on holiday drinks or learn more about home insemination options at Make a Mom and visit WomensHealth.gov for reliable information on pregnancy.
Summary: A woman was denied access to a fishing trip she won at a church event simply because of her gender. The church’s pastor claimed it was for safety reasons amidst concerns of false accusations. The incident has sparked discussions about gender equality in traditionally male-dominated activities, with the woman asserting her right to participate on equal footing.