July 20, 2009

Jimmy Carter leaves the SBC

Because of the issue of gender inequality, a similar reason for my own move:
"So my decision to sever my ties with the Southern Baptist Convention, after six decades, was painful and difficult. It was, however, an unavoidable decision when the convention's leaders, quoting a few carefully selected Bible verses and claiming that Eve was created second to Adam and was responsible for original sin, ordained that women must be 'subservient' to their husbands and prohibited from serving as deacons, pastors or chaplains in the military service.

This view that women are somehow inferior to men is not restricted to one religion or belief. Women are prevented from playing a full and equal role in many faiths. Nor, tragically, does its influence stop at the walls of the church, mosque, synagogue or temple. This discrimination, unjustifiably attributed to a Higher Authority, has provided a reason or excuse for the deprivation of women's equal rights across the world for centuries.

At its most repugnant, the belief that women must be subjugated to the wishes of men excuses slavery, violence, forced prostitution, genital mutilation and national laws that omit rape as a crime. But it also costs many millions of girls and women control over their own bodies and lives, and continues to deny them fair access to education, health, employment and influence within their own communities."

4 comments:

steves said...

I think Carter was a lousy president, but I agree with him in this area. I have read the same passages and come to the same conclusion that he has.

Streak said...

I think he could have been a better president. I think he was better than we remember, but will conceded he made a lot of mistakes.

but like you, I have no doubt that he is right on this issue.

Bootleg Blogger said...

Good article, Streak. One point of clarification or information, though. The article is ambiguous as to when Carter left the SBC which was actually in October, 2000. He's been supportive of CBF and in 2000 CBF established the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Offering for Religious Liberty and Human Rights.
Later
BB

Streak said...

I wondered. Thanks, BB.