Carter on Women's Rights

This is an important move for Jimmy Carter--leaving the Baptist Convention because of its views on women:

The words of God do not justify cruelty to women (Jimmy Carter, Guardian.co.uk, 12 July 2009)

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.

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