http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jul/12/jimmy-carter-womens-rights-equality


The words of God do not justify cruelty to women
Discrimination and abuse wrongly backed by doctrine are damaging
society, argues the former US president

Jimmy Carter
The Observer,    Sunday 12 July 2009

"Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this
Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour,
sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or
social origin, property, birth or other status ..." (Article 2,
Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there
is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
(Galatians 3:28)

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 th e 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
was in conflict with my belief - confirmed in the holy scriptures -
that we are all equal in the eyes of God.

This view that women are somehow inferior to men is not restricted to
one religion or belief. It is widespread. 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. 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 their 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.

The impact of these religious beliefs touches every aspect of our
lives. They help explain why in many countries boys are educated
before girls; why girls are told when and whom they must marry; and
why many face enormous and unacceptable risks in pregnancy and
childbirth because their basic health needs are not met.

In some Islamic nations, women are restricted in their movements,
punished for permitting the exposure of an arm or ankle, deprived of
education, prohibited from driving a car or competing with men for a
job. If a woman is raped, she is often most severely punished as the
guilty party in the crime.

The same discriminatory thinking lies behind the continuing gender gap
in pay and why there are still so few women in office in Britain and
the United States. The root of this prejudice lies deep in our
histories, but its impact is felt every day. It is not women and girls
alone who suffer. It damages all of us. The evidence shows that
investing in women and girls delivers major benefits for everyone in
society. An educated woman has healthier children. She is more likely
to send them to school. She earns more and invests what she earns in
her family.

It is simply self-defeating for any community to discriminate against
half its population. 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.

I understand, however, why many political leaders can be reluctant
about stepping into this minefield. Religion, and tradition, are
powerful and sensitive area 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 Elders have decided to draw particular attention to the
responsibility of religious and traditional leaders in ensuring
equality and human rights. We have recently published a statement that
declares: "The justification of discrimination against women and girls
on grounds of religion or tradition, as if it were prescribed by a
Higher Authority, is unacceptable."

We are calling on all leaders to challenge and change the harmful
teachings and practices, no matter how ingrained, which justify
discrimination against women. We ask, in particular, that leaders of
all religions have the courage to acknowledge and emphasise the
positive messages of dignity and equality that all the world's major
faiths share.

Although not having training in religion or theology, I understand
that the carefully selected verses found in the holy scriptures to
justify the superiority of men owe more to time and place - and the
determination of male leaders to hold onto their influence - than
eternal truths. Similar Biblical excerpts could be found to support
the approval of slavery and the timid acquiescence to oppressive
rulers.

At the same time, I am also familiar with vivid descriptions in the
same scriptures in which women are revered as pre-eminent leaders.
During the years of the early Christian church women served as
deacons, priests, bishops, apostles, teachers and prophets. It wasn't
until the fourth century that dominant Christian leaders, all men,
twisted and distorted holy scriptures to perpetuate their ascendant
positions within the religious hierarchy.

I know, too, that Billy Graham, one of the most widely respected and
revered Christians during my lifetime, did not understand why women
were prevented from being priests and preachers. He said: "Women
preach all over the world. It doesn't bother me from my study of the
scriptures."

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.

• Jimmy Carter was US president from 1977-81. The Elders are an
independent group of eminent global leaders, brought together by
Nelson Mandela, who offer their influence and experience to support
peace building, help address major causes of human suffering and
promote the shared interests of humanity.


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