Associated Baptist Press - Jimmy Carter says religion used to subjugate women

Jimmy Carter says religion used to subjugate women

By Bob Allen

Friday, July 17, 2009

ATLANTA (ABP) -- Former President Jimmy Carter has urged religious leaders to repudiate teachings that he says justify cruelty to women.

Carter, a Nobel laureate, described in an article in the British newspaper The Observer his "painful and difficult" decision in 2000 to leave the Southern Baptist Convention after six decades.

Carter, who teaches Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga., said the decision became "unavoidable" when SBC leaders adopted a new consensus faith statement "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."

Carter said that went against his belief "that we are all equal in the eyes of God."

Former president Jimmy Carter wrote on behalf of the Elders, a group of global leaders convened by Nelson Mandela to fight poverty and defend human rights. (Carter Center photo)

Writing on behalf of a group of world leaders convened by Nelson Mandela called the Elders, Carter said viewing women as inferior to men is not limited to one religion and is not confined to the walls of the church, mosque or synagogue.

"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," he said. "The male interpretations of religious texts and the way they interact with, and reinforce, traditional practices justify some of the most pervasive, persistent, flagrant and damaging examples of human rights abuses."

At its worst, Carter said, the belief is used to justify slavery, violence, forced prostitution, genital mutilation and national laws that omit rape as a crime. But he said discriminatory thinking is also behind the continuing gender gap in pay and why so few women hold public office in the United Kingdom and the United States.

"It is simply self-defeating for any community to discriminate against half its population," Carter wrote. "We need to challenge these self-serving and out-dated attitudes and practices -- as we are seeing in Iran where women are at the forefront of the battle for democracy and freedom."

Carter acknowledged that some New Testament teachings can be used to support male superiority, but he countered that carefully selected Bible verses can also be used to defend slavery.

"The truth is that male religious leaders have had -- and still have -- an option to interpret holy teachings either to exalt or subjugate women," Carter said. "They have, for their own selfish ends, overwhelmingly chosen the latter."

Carter said the Elders, an independent group of eminent global leaders bringing their collective influence and experience to support peace and human rights, were "calling on all leaders to challenge and change the harmful teachings and practices, no matter how ingrained, which justify discrimination against women."

He called on leaders of all religions to "acknowledge and emphasize the positive messages of dignity and equality that all the world's major faiths share."

Carter said religion that demeans women "provides the foundation or justification for much of the pervasive persecution and abuse of women throughout the world."

He said that violates not only 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."

-30-

Bob Allen is senior writer for Associated Baptist Press.

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Woman in the World of Jesus
written by remliw, July 18, 2009

Woman in the World of Jesus
by Evelyn and Frank Stagg

Is a very good book that examines "Woman" in the context of the time of Jesus and also examines the biblical teachings regarding "Woman"

Frank Stagg: a prominent New Testament scholar

Women's Lib and the TRUE WORD OF GOD
written by The KJV, July 19, 2009

Jimmy Carter is a Satanist. Anyone that pushes one world goverment is a minion of Satn himself. There is only oe real ONE WORLD GOVERMNET and that is the Kingdom of Christ Jesus.

For all you "empowered" women, you profess to be Christians. Read this and take heed.
Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23: For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24: Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing

This means just what it says. Women, SUBMIT.

i Timothy 2:12
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13: For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14: And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

A true Christian woman submits to her husband. The husband loves his wife, no divorce. End of conversation. All thru the Bible ,both Old and New Testaments, MANY references to where man has rule over woman. Women, if you plan to be a REAL Christian, you can't pick and choose what verses you want to obey and which ones you could care less about. Satan is a Deciever and a LIAR and women's Lib is of the Devil. Tho "times" may change, GOD ALMIGHTY DOES NOT. God is the same yerterday,today and forever. Just because society changes and Satan uses women's lib to further his evil agenda, WOMEN DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE PART IN IT. Obey your husbands and your husbands will love you for it

Confusion over equality of status and moral worth
written by Xenophon, July 20, 2009

President Carter being the leftist liberal that he is confuses equality of condition and status with equality of moral worth. Certainly, men and women are equal in God's eyes and equal in their inherent worth as persons. Women and men are deserving of equal respect in regard to their basic rights as individuals.

But equality of moral worth does not rule out being unequal in other regards including overt social and economic position. There is no such thing as equality of condition and power in this world or the next for that matter. Nature is intrinsically hierarchical. On top of that, as J.J. Rousseau noticed, when civilization develops with its increased division of labor, so does inequality of condition. There is no way to continue Western (or any other) civilization without subordination and leadership.

President Carter also confuses subordination with oppression. Subordination can lead to oppression but not necessarily. Paul calls husbands to love their wives as he urges wives to submit to their husbands. If a person loves another, he does not abuse or exploit the less powerful person. Women are more delicate physically and more dependent physically especially when pregnant and caring for small children. Women need the protection and provision of men. As Shakespeare observed, men are rewarded for their care by the cooperation and admiration of their wives. Who is talking about cruelty and mutilation in a Christian context? President Carter conflates all sorts of issues and religions together here as would any egalitarian who sees the root problem in all of history as inequality of status. This entire line of analysis is not only unrealistic, impious, and nihilistic but also utterly confused.

Finally, why should women not be at liberty to contract away certain rights when they marry? To limit their liberty of contract would be paternalistic in itself. Paul urges women to submit, but that submission in particular marriages must always be voluntary on the part of the woman.

Hoping the dialogue will expand
written by christa, July 20, 2009

I am grateful to Jimmy Carter for opening this door to a dialogue on how the word of God is twisted to justify discrimination and injustice toward women. I hope he will continue the conversation further so as to also speak of how the word of God is twisted to justify a do-nothing response to clergy sexual abuse in some faith groups, including Southern Baptists, which have a congregationalist polity. This too is a human rights issue. A faith group that so devalues women and children as to render unaccountable the ministers who molest and rape them is a faith group that has utterly lost its moral bearings. And no amount of invoking "religion" or pontificating about the biblical autonomy of local churches can possibly make it right.

misguided
written by Glenn, July 20, 2009

I believe the person identified as christa is considerably misguided in saying that a faith group that so devalues women and children as to render unaccountable the ministers who molest and rape them is a faith group that has utterly lost its moral bearings. You reference 'some faith groups" and single out Southern Baptist. Southern Baptist churches do take action when there is reasonable proof that an offense has occurred. The action taken, and in some unproven cases where no action is taken, may not satisfy everyone and that's understandable. I hardly understand how the writer connects Jimmy Carter, clearly a good man, with Southern Baptist polity. The writer may be ignorant of that fact that the Southern Baptist Convention (which I mention only because the writer specifically identified it) does not and cannot control who is hired, reprimanded, terminated, etc., by any Baptist congregation. If local churches have erred, the onus is on them and not the SBC.

again confusion over inequailty and abuse
written by Xenophon, July 21, 2009

I am afraid that in her comments just above Christa is confusing inequality of status with inequality of moral worth that would wrongly attempt to justify or ignore abuse. Those who are entrusted with authority must use it wisely and within moral bounds. Of course, anyone who takes advantage of those they are given charge over must be held accountable.

I agree with Glenn's comments in reply to Christa's post and would add that she goes beyond President Carter's opinions on equality of status for women. No matter what form church government is in place, abuse should not be tolerated. A more centralized form of church government has its advantages and its disadvantages. The Roman Catholic Church has a much more centralized system than ours and has neglected its responsibility to protect its children and adolescents from sexual predators in its clergy. I am sorry to say that there is no fool-proof system given our fallen human nature, but I would agree that we must all be vigilant to take our own responsibilities seriously and to hold others accountable when we do find misconduct.

remliw
written by Ken, July 21, 2009

"Frank Stagg: a prominent New Testament scholar"

Frank Stagg openly denies the substitutionary atonement of Jesus, so I hardly consider him a reliable source.

Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy...
written by AKScott, July 21, 2009

Why is Jimmy Carter still ranting about a decision that he made nine years ago? Why does he still harbor resentment against the SBC? It seems that it would help the cause of Christ if Mr. Carter would not vent his anger against Southern Baptists in such a public forum.

Just to set the record straight, Southern Baptist stances concerning women are held because they are biblical (Eph. 5:22-33, 1 Tim. 2:8-15, etc.) These views are espoused because Southern Baptists want to be faithful to God's Word, not because they want to discriminate.

I believe that Mr. Carter holds his views because he is seeking to be faithful to his understanding of God. I wish that he would grant the same courtesy to those who disagree with him.

Does Paul trump Jesus?
written by Slick, July 21, 2009

Jimmy Carter was a poor president but remains a faithful Christian and puts the entire word of God over church politics. Women had no education in biblical times and thus probably had no qualification teach. Paul said that he did not permit women to teach but he did not say God had given him that restriction. In fact, Paul's writing contain other admissions that his comment was his own and not from God. Interestingly, Jesus never subjugated women nor is there any record of His restricting them. Women deacons date to at least the days of Pliney the Younger. There are Southern Baptist churches that have had and continue to have women deacons. Can God not speak through a woman? Can a woman today not become as learned as a man?

To be sure, I expect a nasty objection from a fat little man who can do little beyond criticizing any position that isn’t ultra-right-wing fundamentalists. Would Jesus deny a woman the opportunity to minister in His name. would he deny her the opportunity to teach the Bible? How can SBC women be missionaries and not be teachers? What a shame that we allow some narrow-minded, non-thinking bigots to misuse the scripture to serve their own man-imposed beliefs!

reply to Slick
written by Xenophon, July 21, 2009

I am not a fat man nor I am short, Slick, but I am a rightist evangelical (you know that there is a reason that 'the right' is called "the right"). But in regard to the substance of your comments beyond the ad homimen and disrespect that you show to your intellectual opponents, I would say that the leadership role that men are endowed with by God in the home and in the church does not necessarily reflect a difference in education or intelligence.

One consideration that is typically overlooked in these issues is when barriers to entry into any field or market are removed the level of competition increases. Consequently, if women enter the harsh competition for power, then it is likely to diminish the deference and care shown to women. Men viciously compete against each other and remain emotionally distant as a result. Adding women to this volatile mix has had results over the past generation. One reason for separating men's roles from women's is to avoid direct conflict. People are harsher and coarser than in the past. Women are also seen in a coarser way by men. Consider the dramatic increase in sexual assault in the past few decades and the way women report being treated in the military as they assume more equal roles with men--women in the military report being either sexually attacked or exploited or must constantly show that they will kill to protect themselves.

Yet another problem with gender equality is that it undermines the stability of the family. Consider a sociological study from the University of Virginia by Professors W. Bradford Wilcox and
Steven L.Nock. They find the egalitarian theory of marriage does not lead to greater marital satisfaction by women. They find that if the man earns at least 65% of the family income and assume the traditional leadership role while being emotionally attentive to their wives, women are happier than if they shared power and financial position. Their findings hold even for highly educated, feminist women. That sounds a lot like what Paul was saying about wives being submissive to their husbands and husbands loving their wives.

Even though times change, human nature and God's principles do not.

Carter is a Liar
written by pjerwin, July 21, 2009

I'm sorry, but Mr. Carter is simply a liar. This Sunday school teacher said "SBC leaders adopted a new consensus faith statement '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."

1) "SBC leaders" didn't adopt this so-called "consensus faith statement." The Baptist Faith & Message (2000) was adopted by the Messengers to the 2000 Annual Meeting of the SBC.

2) While it does say that the office of pastor is "is limited to men as qualified by Scripture," nowhere in the BF&M (2000) does it say, imply or claim "that Eve was... responsible for original sin, ordained that women must be 'subservient' to their husbands and prohibited from serving as deacons... or chaplains in the military service."

What Carter, the Sunday School teacher, really has a problem with is the Bible and the Apostle Paul, not the BF&M (2000). The Bible says:

For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. (1 Timothy 2:13-14)

...man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man... (1 Corinthians 11:8)

Here's what the BF&M (2000) actually says:

III. Man... Man is the special creation of God, made in His own image. He created them male and female as the crowning work of His creation. The gift of gender is thus part of the goodness of God's creation. In the beginning man was innocent of sin and was endowed by his Creator with freedom of choice. By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race...

XVIII. The Family... The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God's image. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She, being in the image of God as is her husband and thus equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation...

VI. The Church... Its scriptural officers are pastors and deacons. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.

3) And the Bible passages about submission (not subservience, which implies slavish, fawning, servile compliance) in the familial relationship need not be "carefully selected," they are simply the most obvious ones. They are clear and important passages on God's ordering of the family in Ephesians and Colossians.

Huh??
written by Slick, July 22, 2009

Xen, Hold on...unbunch your undies...I had no refernece to you at all. I'm not sure I've read anything you've posted except here. You are not my opponent, even though we might not always agree. I don't ever recall your critizing/disagreing with me in the past but it make no matter--each can have his own opinion. I don't know that I disagree with your first post here--may not agree either--but it's a well stated position. I would observe that your latter post address sociological issues and writers and not the Bible. It is well though out but I dodn't see any biblical basis in your argument. We may have to agree to disagree but I like the way you express what you have to say. I would still contend that today women can study the same things a man can study and exegete the scriptures as well as a man can. And with regard to the comment by another that the Baptist Faith and Message was adopted by messengers to a convention, we all know where the language came from and we also know that whatever Louisville, Fort Worth, and Nashville put forth, the led-by-the-nose messengers at the convention are going to rubber stamp it. The Baptist Faith and Message is not scripture. It is a molding of many scriptures into man's words.

reply to Slick 2
written by Xenophon, July 22, 2009

Thanks for your reply to my reply to you, Slick. I did take umbrage over your characterizing rightist "fundamentalists" in an unflattering way who might respond to your post supporting Jimmy Carter's comments recounted in the article. Here is the excerpt in question from your original post: "...I expect a nasty objection from a fat little man...." That is where I was coming from in my opening remarks above.

The biblical position that I am defending as traditionally interpreted is that wives should submit to their husbands (Colossians 3:18-19) , women are created to be men's helpers (1 Corinthians 11:9) , and only men should be pastors or have spiritual authority over other men (I Timothy 2:11 & Chapter 3). You are correct that I offer sociological evidence for traditional sex roles. The evidence supports traditional sex roles in the family that seems to be outlined in the Bible. I do not have a problem with women teaching in the church or in seminaries or as independent scholars or evangelists. I do see that the Bible teaches that women should not be pastors or have spiritual authority over men. Certainly, women can be intellectually accomplished and present profound spiritual insights. For example, I get a lot out of Christian mystics from the Middle Ages some of whom were women such as Catherine of Sienna ( I do not accept everything she said though).

Thank you for the polite and complimentary response. I look forward to future exchanges with you. You are correct that I have just found this website and have posted a few comments in the past week to get started here. Thanks again for considering my points.

Slick
written by Ken, July 23, 2009

"Does Paul trump Jesus?"

I wasn't aware that they were on opposite sides.

"Jimmy Carter was a poor president but remains a faithful Christian and puts the entire word of God over church politics."

Carter doesn't think he was such a bad president (which shows just how deluded he really is). Like most "Christians" of his stripe, he reserves the right to ignore sections of God's Word that he doesn't like.

"To be sure, I expect a nasty objection from a fat little man who can do little beyond criticizing any position that isn’t ultra-right-wing fundamentalists."

Aren't you the one who was lecturing me about the evils of attacking fellow Christians? If it's so terrible, then why do you do it?

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