Jimmy Carter Leaves Church Over Treatment of Women

[ashling]

After watching everyone from philandering politicians to Iran's president taking a sudden look heavenwards when the roof starts to come down on them, it's refreshing to see Carter calling out the role of religion in the mistreatment of women.

The question for Carter -- and for others who find themselves at odds with leadership -- is, when a group you're deeply involved in starts to move away from your own core beliefs, do you stay and try to change from within or, at some point, do you have to look for the exit? Carter did give the former a shot -- in recent years publicly criticizing and distancing himself from church leadership, while staying involved with his church. Now, he's seeing if absence might do what presence did not.

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/07/20/jimmy-carter-leaves-church-over-treatment-of-women/

[zipplewrath]

1. Neither

Stay, go, it doesn't matter. The church will go on. Look at all the people that have left the catholic church over the centuries. Has it gotten "better" or just different?

[ashling]

6. I don't care about the Baptist Church

I do care about Jimmy Carter

[rgbecker]

74. Here're Carter's words

Said Carter in an essay in The Age:


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, later:

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.

[azureblue]

80. Baptist church history

The Baptists were the ones responsible for the separation of church and state clause.
They used the Bible to Justify slavery
They use the Bible to justify male dominance of women
They use the Bible to justify segregation
They use the Bible to justify their belief that Blacks are inferior. Check where the Klan was borne, and what religious denomination's followers founded the Klan.

[Dawson Leery]

9. Let the churches go extinct.

[ZombieHorde]

13. The Catholic Church's influence has been wanning.

In my opinion, that is an improvement.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

23. Which explains their ever more desperate efforts right now.

[pnwmom]

32. 6 Catholics on the Supreme Court probably think otherwise.

[pscot]

34. Six out of nine

Yuck!

[ZombieHorde]

56. Do you think the RCC has as much or more influence as they have had in past?

I don't.

[tavalon]

64. I grew up in the church he left

Good on him.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

2. gotta love Jimmy!

[arthritisR_US]

12. +1 :) n/t

[L0oniX]

31. +1 K & R

[4_TN_TITANS]

77. True that... He's my daughter's favorite prez.

and she's only 16. She picked him for a school report once and quickly recognized that he's one of the most impressive men of her lifetime.

[sonias]

3. K&R

I have always had utmost respect for President Jimmy Carter. He really earns it too.

President Carter!

[arthritisR_US]

14. +1 :) n/t

[maddiemom]

37. Still waiting

for History to begin reevaluating and judging him fairly. President Carter was one of the truly finest men ever to serve in that office. Sadly it proved that a really good man could not survive as POTUS. Although I am Agnostic, I feel he was also the only true Christian among the wannabe leaders in current times.

[obamanut2012]

44. +1

[Horse with no Name]

47. +100000. n/t

[dotymed]

75. He refused to play dirty politics.

Reagan was paying the Iranians to hold the hostages until after the election. The BFEE was encouraging the oil boycott to ruin Carter's popularity at home.
Knowing the facts, after all of these years, it is incredible (and totally in character) that none of the people calling the shots, were ever prosecuted. Reagan(and Bush) committed more crimes to get elected than Nixon did during his entire Presidency. The difference was/is our media. When nixon was in office they were still "the fourth estate." Reporting political crimes and keeping our citizens informed. Reagan changed all of that. I assume that he promised the media that he would end THE FAIRNESS DOCTRINE, which leveled the playing field and did create extra financial hardships on the media.
Ending this vital rule also played a significant role in where the U.S. is today. By and for the elites. Only a peoples revolution like "Occupy" can change the tyranny that has taken over America.

[lovuian]

4. He recognizes the hypocrisy

congrats Jimmy

[enough]

5. Sets an excellent example for others, men and women, to leave for the same reason.

Well done.

[Arctic Dave]

7. That is some serious brass.

Hats off.

[hifiguy]

8. Jimmy Carter is a man of integrity.

Most excellent, sir.

[malaise]

10. I've always loved something about Carter

[jwirr]

11. I have always respected him and even more now. Thank you President Carter.

[xchrom]

15. Come to the Episcopal Church !

We will welcome you with open arms and great music.

[zazen]

22. OT, but have you seen Eddie Izzard's rendition of Anglican congregational singing?

That was my recollection of it in Wilmington. However, if you can recommend a favorite Episcopalian church in the Triangle, I'm all ears.

And go Jimmy. The man was 50 years ahead of his time. It's so telling that the faux Christians can't stand him.

[xchrom]

24. Love, love, love Eddie izzard!

Takes an Anglican to really make fun of an Anglican.

St. Stephens in durham is the one I know about - & they affiliate w/ the big church in Raleigh.
Both take booths at lgbtiq pride.

The ONLY thing is they do this baptized Christian thing to receive communion that I STRONGLY disapprove of.

I come from Cali where we were All are Welcome to Gods Table.

[mwooldri]

54. You can blame the CofE for continuing this Roman Catholic tradition.

In general Church of England churches follow this rule... but as is the case with different Anglican Communion churches, they have different interpretations. Some Anglican communions welcome everyone to Gods table to receive Communion. However I agree that most of the Anglican churches I have attended do have a "are you baptized" thing before being eligible to receive full Communion. But those churches who are strict proponents of baptized only do invite all to the altar and everyone is blessed. I am confirmed in the Church of England but there are times for my own conscience that I deny myself full communion and ask for a blessing only. But that is because I went to a church where confirmation is typically required before receiving communion - not even plain old baptism will do. Though this general baptism thing is whether you are baptised in any church, not just an Anglican communion one, or one in communion with the Anglican communion (i.e. Lutherans, most Methodists these days, and others).

[wryter2000]

69. That's not my experience in my church

There are regressive Episcopalian churches that don't recognize full equality of LGBT people, and they tend to call themselves Anglican, rather than Episcopalian. The church I attend in Oaland, CA practices a high liturgy (sometimes I wonder if I've wandered into a Catholic church until I see the women priests at the altar). Everyone takes communion, including little children. The parents decide if the child gets wine. No one is ever questioned about whether they've been confirmed.

[wryter2000]

68. And a woman in charge of the church

I said the same thing below. Should have read the thread.

[longship]

16. Religious integrity!

One person in the world who has the highest integrity. Kudos to you, President Carter.

If only all religious people in this country would follow his lead.

[Ken Burch]

17. The man again shows courage

Kudos, Mr. President!

[DURHAM D]

18. That is a two year old article.

I don't see an action that supports the headline.

Last I checked he is still working from within the church.

[rug]

28. He's still at Maranathe Baptist Church.

http://www.mbcplains.org

I don't know if that congregation is part of the Southern Baptist Convention.

[cbayer]

29. Wow, I didn't even notice that. Oops.

[Dont call me Shirley]

19. I respect President Carter immensely.

What would today be like if Reagan/ Bush hadn't stolen the election of 1980 from Carter?

I was married to the son of a Southern Baptist preacher and the whole family was insane.

[freshwest]

20. Thanks, Ashling.

[LaydeeBug]

21. I am wondering why this came around again. He did this two years ago. nt

[Whisp]

25. I love you, President Carter. You and your wife.

You aren't afraid of some truths like so many other cowards are.

[Initech]

26. I left my church for the same reason and this was 8 -9 years ago.

And I'm glad I did and haven't looked back. I'm also glad Pres. Carter is doing the same thing, it's getting exponentially worse by the day and I'm glad people are seeing the ugly side in all this.

[cbayer]

27. Good for him. Although he is leaving his church, I doubt he is leaving his faith.

There are plenty of good, progressive churches who would be honored to have him join them, and I hope he does.

[onenote]

30. Exactly right

Of course, in the eyes of some DUers, that makes Jimmy a "cultist" whose life is "controlled by mythology and superstition"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=453109

[Tx4obama]

33. * * * The article in the OP is TWO YEARS old * * *

n/t

[Liberalynn]

35. Good For You Former President Carter

Its one of the main reasons I am an ex Catholic!

[BlueIris]

36. What a real man looks like.

[mbuch64]

38. Close to home

I live in Americus (just 10 miles form Plains, GA) and I can't tell you how many people around here absolutely hate his guts. The teabaggers have many supporters here in this backwash part of our country. I've lived here on and off for forty years and I can honestly say that since the election on President Obama, I have never felt more uncomfortable in my on hometown. My Obama 2012 re-election sticker should be here soon and I can't wait to
put on the rear bumper of my civic hybrid and really tick some people off.

[Ruby the Liberal]

39. This is from 2009?

[DaveJ]

41. Post is relevant to our time, but should have been entitled "Carter Left Church..."

Such is the fate of those ahead of their time... usually ignored in the present when their actions are meaningless, and the future when their actions are forgotten.

[Ruby the Liberal]

48. Which church? Google says he is teaching at a Plains Ga Baptist church.

Here is the schedule, right on their home page: http://www.mbcplains.org/

[DaveJ]

50. More explanation here

I guess it was more in pretest but he has not totally abandoned the church.

http://www.blogher.com/jimmy-carter-leaves-southern-baptist-church-protest-treatment-women

This week, Jimmy Carter left the Southern Baptist Church, where he has been a member for over 60 years. He and Roselyn distanced themselves from full participation a few years ago, but he remained a deacon and still taught Sunday School. He held on to his denominational affiliation through many conflicts - including the denomination's anti-gay positions

[madokie]

42. Would it be possible

that he's starting to see religion and church for what it is

[Rhiannon12866]

43. K&R! President Carter doing the next right thing, yet again,

Despite the personal cost.

[RufusTFirefly]

45. Didn't he already do this? Nearly twelve years ago?

This article is dated October 23, 2000

Jimmy Carter says he can
'no longer be associated' with the SBC

By Greg Warner
Associated Baptist Press

ATLANTA (ABP)--Former President Jimmy Carter, Southern Baptists' most famous layman, says he feels "excluded" by the Southern Baptist Convention and "can no longer be associated" with the nation's largest Protestant denomination.

...

But in a letter and press statement released Oct. 19 (2000), Carter lamented the new "creedal" direction taken by the SBC. He said the recent changes in the Baptist Faith & Message doctrinal statement are "profound and revolutionary" and reflect "an increasingly rigid SBC creed."

...

"But since that brief interlude of apparent harmony, I have been disappointed and feel excluded by the adoption of policies and an increasingly rigid SBC creed, including some provisions that violate the basic premises of my Christian faith. I have finally decided that, after 65 years, I can no longer be associated with the Southern Baptist Convention."

Source: Baptist Standard

As a non-believer, I have a tremendous respect for President Carter, who consistently shows more moral courage than almost any politician I can think of. But it appears as though he's done this before.

[Horse with no Name]

46. A man that always "walks the walk"

I do love him!

[varelse]

49. Pure class

as usual

<3

[rudycantfail]

51. Carter is a treasure.

Well written piece by Ria Misra too.

[marmar]

52. My impression of Carter post-presidency has done nothing but soar......

...... kind of the opposite of Clinton.

[Thinkingabout]

53. I understand his thoughts, I have left SBC church also

My thoughts is there is a short window to talk about Jesus and his love and it is not a place to talk about politics. President Carter has lived a Christian life for a very long time, always willing to give to others. Now the church is interested in everyone's bank account and speak harshly about others.

[Skittles]

55. it took him 60 years to realize the church is misogynistic?

[PotatoChip]

57. Jimmy Carter is an amazing guy.

I think it's great how he quietly continued on w/public and humanitarian service long after his Presidency ended. Seriously, can anyone picture Bush I or II building homes for poor people in the US or lending their names to the cause of people in third world countries?

Now this. I hope others within his church (all churches actually) follow his lead. Jimmy Carter rocks!

[denem]

58. RoseBud:Jimmy Carter Blames Ted Kennedy (dead and buried)

for US Health Care. Jimmy has an axe to grind. Neither is a saint:

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/09/16/jimmy-carter-blames-ted-kennedy-for-health-care-reform-delays/

[denem]

59. dupe

Last edited Tue Mar 27, 2012, 01:32 PM - Edit history (1)

[marshall gaines]

60. 80's

I attended an SBC in the 80's. It was the most misogynistic, sexist, racist churches in america. I was dating a woman of a different race and they got really upset, leadership and followers, when we started attending. We were clueless until we tried to join this church, needless to say as a couple we couldn't join. But look at the record of Bob Jones University. They did not, maybe still don't allow interracial dating, a southern baptist university. Hand and glove with the institutions of slavery and segregation. Bravo Jimmy Carter!!

[libtodeath]

61. He was one of the best,most forward thinking and peaceful Presidents we ever had

fuck raygun and poppy and stealing the election in 1980.

[karynnj]

66. While I think he is a good man, when President, he articulated that we would protect "our" oil

This is the Carter doctrine and the real justification given for Gulf War I which was the root of the Iraq War. (Even in 2009, in the SFRC, when Carter testified on various energy efforts in his time, Lugar spoke of this - and Carter did not contradict. )

[seabeyond]

62. jeez, i respect these men.... nt

[snot]

63. K'd, R'd, & Bookmarked!

[Stratosgc]

65. I made the same painful dicision

My wife and I left the Catholic Church after 60 years. We decided that when the organization is unjust and we have no possible way of changing it, we had to leave. By showing up every Sunday we were supporting a corrupt system.
Our parish community was warm and compassionate, even Christ like, but the all powerful leaders of the church are corrupt.

[wryter2000]

70. Welcome to DU

[Marrah_G]

72. That had to be really hard

My parents are still members of the Church. I know they are frustrated with the Church, but they love their Parish and my mother loves volunteering for St. Vincent DePaul at the store and food pantry and at almost 80 I don't think they will leave now.

[NCarolinawoman]

81. I had a Presbyterian minister once tell me:

If you're looking for saints or honestly good people, look first to the people sitting in the congretaion, and not to the leaders of the church.

He also hated the term "Reverend", and thought no church leader should be so presumptuous to ever have that attached to his or her name. He preferred "Pastor".

[wryter2000]

67. Yay, Mr. President

Come on over to the Episcopalians. We have a woman in charge.

[Marrah_G]

71. I really do admire him

He has an integrity sorely lacking in politics.

[texshelters]

73. Carter takes a difficult step

Remember, Carter has been a life long Baptist and leaving his church can't be easy.

While I'm not religious, I go give Protestant churches one thing over Catholic churches, Protestants are encouraged to have a one on one relationship with God that doesn't involve a Catholic hierarchy (priest, Cardinal, etc), and thus, Carter doesn't need his church to commune with his God under his tradition, and he won't be living in sin if he doesn't attend the Church.

PTxS

[MADem]

76. Nice news, but VERY OLD NEWS. He did this three years ago.

The article is from July 2009.

[Kolesar]

78. It's making its rounds on Facebook today, too...eom

[MADem]

79. Odd. Someone must have a new beef with that church and they're using Carter to re-fight the battle.

Amazing how stuff can just fly all over hell on the internet!