President Carter Breaks With Church

To each his / her own. 

It really is how I try to live my life.

It takes all kinds - and I believe the world would be a pretty boring place if we all looked the same, acted the same, ate the same, believed the same.

You want to follow Scientology?  Fine.  Catholicism is your learned faith?  Cool.  You worship mung beans by the light of the silvery moon?  Whatever.  If it works for you and you don't bring it to my doorstep deigning to tell me how to live, I have no problem with you and what you do with your time.

I don't pretend to understand what would make some people adhere to, and blindly follow certain interpretations of holy writings. 

That whole submissive wife idea?  Sell it somewhere else.  I'm not buying.  I don't need Rudy making the decisions for me, telling how to live, what to think, what to do.  That's just completely alien to me.  Hell, seriously - how would I have survived the past two years - the past 20 years with him and all of these selective separations of ours if I went into this marriage as his doormat?

Our relationship works because he didn't want someone to order around, and because I know exactly who I am without him around to tell me.  He leaves, and I am still standing.  I don't weep because I have to make some decisions on my own.  I don't whine because I have to take the trash out every week.  I embrace what I have to do because, quite frankly, he relies on me to make this work on my end, every bit as much as I rely on him to make it work in Seattle.

Plus, I have three daughters who are learning first hand that a man is a nice accessory.  I am not with Rudy because I need him, I am with him because I choose to be with him.  And because he views me as his equal in this marriage.

So it really does make my brain hurt that so many women are "happy" to exist in marriages where some MAN ordains that they be subserviant, compliant, spineless, brainless.

I was raised Catholic and have nothing to do with it in my adult life.  Why would I want to belong to some club that does not view me as equal to the members with three legs?  Why would I take advice from an organization which strives to ensure my body is not my own, my thoughts are not my own, my gender is somehow less?

Today, Jimmy Carter - a very religious man - broke with the church he has belonged to for nearly 60 years.  In a piece he wrote, he states"

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.

And he adds:

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.

You can read the entire essay at The Age.

I say, "Go, Jimmy."  It's not often in this day and age when someone actually stands up and calls out even the most glaring of wrongs.

Comments

[ChickyChick (Kathy)]

Awesome! To break with the Baptist Church could not have been an easy thing for former president Carter. I applaud his decision and pray for his fortitude to stand up to the right wing critics that are sure to follow.

[GCL]

I have the utomst respect for this man. People trash talk him for being a weak President, but he was in the same situation that Obama currently is. Left a mess by the previous holders of office. He is a great diplomat, and an even better man. More power to him.

[Theresa from Virginia]

Wow - never would have expected that! It was his membership in the Southern Baptist churches that forced that organization to change their policy of not allowing Blacks in their churches. And now this? Go Jimmy!

[Toni in Dallas]

Refreshing! I personally am a believer in an organization that celebrates women as equals. Go Jimmy!

[Lori in Texas]

It's too bad Jimmy Carter isn't a Roman Catholic.... things are better now in the Church than they were even 50 years ago, but not one-millionth as good as they could be.

[Another Lori in TX]

That is Awesome! Former President Jimmy Carter is definitely one to look up to.

[maggieblue]

Am very proud of President Carter and the stand he has taken for women. I wonder what church he will go to now. I've changed churches over the years more than once - finding a church really is not that easy.

[Katy]

I ditto GCL's comments. JC was the first president I voted for. I ALWAYS thought, no matter what, he was a good and decent human being.

[audreyf]

amazing.

[Julie G]

Having lived in Georgia for several years, I have seen first-hand the open-minded, kind-hearted humanitarian that Jimmy Carter is. Perhaps his gesture will open some minds in the church. If the CHURCH doesn't preach equality and acceptance of all...what's the point? Isn't that what Jesus was all about? Accept His love...you're in. Plain and simple.

[Kim]

BRAVO! This reminder is exactly why Jimmy Carter remains on my list of Top Five Presidents, ever. I think he is one of the most reasonable men to ever sit in the Oval Office, and he continues to prove it year after year. History will judge him kindly.

[Jamie in WI]

Bravo President Carter. I have always had & will continue to have (even more so now) the uttmost respect for this man. I am sure he is dealing with the backlash from his choice - but I applaud him for doing what so many others SHOULD be doing!

[MAM]

I knew I liked him. --Mary

[Nikki]

He has actually done more for the world post-presidency than he ever would have been able to accomplish in office. For him to split with the SBC must have been heartbreaking and gutwrenching. But he has never hesitated to do what he thought was right even if the rest of the world thought he was nuts.

He probably has few regrets in life because he has always followed his conscience.