Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Thank You President Carter

President Carter has had enough of the Southern Baptist's misogyny.


I HAVE been a practising Christian all my life and a deacon and Bible teacher for many years. My faith is a source of strength and comfort to me, as religious beliefs are to hundreds of millions of people around the world. 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.

I understand, however, why many political leaders can be reluctant about stepping into this minefield. Religion, and tradition, are powerful and sensitive areas to challenge. But my fellow Elders and I, who come from many faiths and backgrounds, no longer need to worry about winning votes or avoiding controversy - and we are deeply committed to challenging injustice wherever we see it.

The truth is that male religious leaders have had - and still have - an option to interpret holy teachings either to exalt or subjugate women. They have, for their own selfish ends, overwhelmingly chosen the latter. Their continuing choice provides the foundation or justification for much of the pervasive persecution and abuse of women throughout the world. This is in clear violation not just of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but also the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul, Moses and the prophets, Muhammad, and founders of other great religions - all of whom have called for proper and equitable treatment of all the children of God. It is time we had the courage to challenge these views.

The powers that be also use scripture, taken out of context, interpreted to their own advantage, to deny LGBT people their right place at the table of society.

Let's hope Mr. Carter addresses this issue soon.

Hat Tip to Pam's House Blend

14 comments:

سامح العروسي said...

العزيز جون
كلماتك هذه رائعة جدا وأري خلف تلك الكلمات إنسان أكثر من رائع قلبه ملئ بالحب والخير والتسامح لكل البشر وأؤيدك أخي العزيز في كل كلمة قلتها حقا إن المرأة لم تاخذ حقها في كثيرا من بلدان العالم وهناك تمييزا ضدها وان الاوان ان تنال جميع حقوقها وتتساوي بالفعل وليس بالقول بالرجل
شكرا الك اخي الكريم علي هذا المقال الرائع
سامح العروسي

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

More censorship from the NAMBLA crowd.

John said...

Absolutely NO ONE who posts on this forum has any sympathy for NAMBLA.

سامح العروسي said...

العزيز جون كيف حالك وأتمني أن تكون قد وصلتك ترجمة تعليقي السابق

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Evangelical Leaders Rebuke Carter for 'Reckless' Discrimination Claims
By Eric Young
Christian Post Reporter
Sun, Jul. 26 2009 07:56 AM EDT

Evangelical leaders chastised former president Jimmy Carter this week for comments he made regarding the alleged faith-based discrimination of women.

“It is true that some have abused Scripture in pursuing oppressive agendas, like arguments for slavery, apartheid, and the denial of rights to women and minorities. But these abuses cannot be supported by an appeal to God’s word, especially when Scripture is interpreted according to the grand tradition of the Church,” said Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship Ministries.

Last week, Carter submitted an op-ed to newspapers including the U.K.-based Guardian and Australia-based The Age to draw greater attention to a new initiative launched by The Elders, an independent group of public figures who seek to solve problems using "almost 1,000 years of collective experience.”

The initiative, announced earlier this month, seeks to get men and boys – particularly religious and traditional leaders – to “change the harmful and discriminatory practices against women and girls and give their full support to the equality of all.”

“This discrimination [against women], 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,” wrote Carter, who is among the members of the 12-person organization brought together by former South African president Nelson Mandela.

“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,” he added. “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.”

In comments Thursday, the Rev. Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. said the former president’s arguments “should embarrass any serious person who considers this question, for it is grounded in little more than his own sense of how things ought to be.”

“He makes claims about the Bible that are reckless and irresponsible and historical claims that would make any credible church historian blush,” the highly respected evangelical theologian added.

Colson similarly criticized Carter’s suggestions regarding the Bible’s teachings, especially over the parallel he draws between such teachings and the horrors of forced prostitution, genital mutilation, rape, and slavery.

He also criticized Carter for making statements that paint every religious tradition with the same brush.

“Scripture teaches that men and women play complementary roles. For example, the wife is to submit to her husband exactly as the Church submits to Christ. The husband is to give his life for his wife, as Jesus gave His life for the Church-hardly discrimination or oppression,” Colson commented.

“So, please, let’s not confuse Christian teachings with the offensive practices of other faiths-such as radical Islam’s deplorable treatment of women,” he added.

John said...

Anonymous,

Do you have anything to add? If so, say it. Don't hide behind the thoughts of others.

Obviously, Mr. Carter's words will not be well accepted by the powers that be.

He is speaking truth to power.

Anonymous said...
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* said...

Interesting John.
I do hope Mr. Carter addresses this soon like you said.

What is going on with your blog...and all these religious wackos saying all this unimportant weird stuff on here lately?

John said...

The blog has been slow because I've got some summertime blues.

I'm enjoying my summer and just haven't felt like posting anything that requires any thought.

The foolish whackos are for most part drive-bys. The pop in, leave a stupid, irrelevant comment and then go away.

* said...

So I've noticed. Dum-dum heads.

I miss you John!! I'm not blogging until Sept anyway...so I'll chat with you then.

John Hosty said...

I would caution the person who keeps insinuating that this blog, my blog, is associated with NAMBLA that if you continue slandering me in this fashion I will be forced to contact your internet provider and subpeona them for your name. You will discontinue lying about me or you will be dragged out into the light and pay the consequences of your actions via litigation.

Insult me all you want, but don't lie or you will be held accountable for it.

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