Jimmy Carter is blaming religion for the discrimination and abuse women have experienced.
Former President Jimmy Carter says much of the discrimination and abuse suffered by women around the world is attributable to a belief "that women are inferior in the eyes of God."
Carter said such teachings by "leaders in Christianity, Islam and other religions" allow men to beat their wives and deny women their fundamental rights as human beings.
Are there people now, and in history that have held the belief that women are inferior to men? Yes. Does God believe that women are inferior to men? According to what I know and have experienced as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints, and as a Christian - I would posit the answer is an emphatic no.
Are there leaders, members of various religions, past, present, and future that will perpetuate a mistaken belief. Probably. But those people are responsible for their own, individual actions. They are not forced to act, believe a certain way. Each of us is responsible. There are no excuses, no banner we are allowed to blame, or hide behind.
Jimmy Carter apparently doesn't think people think, and act for themselves. Which, given his own political beliefs is not surprising. The man is past his expiration date on relevance. He's like this irritating cockroach that just won't go away.
God. The God I believe in is eternal, omnipotent and loving. It is not ever God who pollutes the Truth. It is man. It is appalling when man then turns around and tries to pin their sorry behavior on a being they can't even begin to understand.
/rant
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However, he is a devout Christian.
Just because we don't believe it, don't preach it, condemn it, doesn't mean that other people don't use religion as a multi-purpose cudgel.
I think they will be called to repentance for those attitudes, but acknowledging that those things happen in the name of religion (although clearly it's a twisted, warped, wicked view) doesn't mean that religion doesn't have validity. And I don't think he's saying that.
In fact, he makes it quite clear: "Carter said he doesn't fault religions for oppressing women, but blames men who selectively interpret the Bible and other scriptures. He suggested there are other, more flexible interpretations.
Carter called mistreatment of women "the most serious and all pervasive and damaging human rights abuse on Earth."
He's 100% right.
Acknowledging that people use religion as an excuse to mistreat other people isn't the same thing as saying people aren't responsible for their actions.
I am just tired of people who like to blame everything on religion.
If we look at the abuse of women - in general, it is done by men. So we might as well just condemn all men. It doesn't strike me as honest. It strikes me as pandering. I despise political pandering.
It's easy to get up and shout how awful abuse against women is. Because it's truth. It's weak to then blame religion.
Carter to me is nothing but weak and a panderer.
But he doesn't throw the baby out with the bathwater. He doesn't say all religion is wrong or evil. He's a believer.
What he IS saying is that some men use religion as an excuse to abuse others, which is true. Every time we say "unrighteous dominion" we're saying the same thing.
I don't see him using a broad brush and he's not blaming everything on religion.
QS I think you and Jimmy are arguing for the same point in a roundabout wat. At least that's what I got out of it. I don't think he's saying that people don't act for themselves, but rather that many use religion as an excuse, as permission to oppress women. Which, he's totally right! They do! Sure they're using their own agency to do it, but nonetheless are doing it in the name of God, or Allah, or whatever figure they follow or believe in.
As for Carter being a believer... meh... I haven't found his actions to match it, so just because he is a believer, doesn't mean it holds any stock.
Men and abusers everywhere use something as an excuse. Not just religion - but religion always gets picked on. Perhaps we are arguing the same thing...and I'm being totally nit-picky - but that's how I get about these politicians that like to pretend they are some moral compass.
It's not religion - it's PEOPLE who always screw things up. If it's not religion they're hiding behind, it's their upbringing, their circumstance, the media, the... take you pick - it's never our fault.
I'm going to stop now... I'm starting to talk in circles... so I can tell I'm tired. hehehe
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