Although in a July column in The Observer Carter admits to "not having training in religion or theology," in his address to the PWR Carter appeals to his authority as someone who has "taught Bible lessons for more than 65 years."Posted on 12/12/2009 1:43:30 PM PST by wagglebee
MELBOURNE, December 11, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In an address to a gathering sponsored by the World Parliament of Religions (PWR) last Friday, former US President Jimmy Carter has once again blamed traditional religion, particularly Southern Baptists and Roman Catholics, for "creating an environment where violations against women are justified."
It is a theme that Carter has successfully used to garner media attention for several years.
Although in a July column in The Observer Carter admits to "not having training in religion or theology," in his address to the PWR Carter appeals to his authority as someone who has "taught Bible lessons for more than 65 years."
In opposition to the vast majority of authentic scholars and historians, Carter asserted: "It's clear that during the early Christian era women served as deacons, priests, bishops, apostles, teachers and prophets." He added: "It wasn't until the 4th century or the 3rd at the earliest that dominant Christian leaders, all men, twisted and distorted Holy Scriptures to perpetuate their ascendant position within the religious hierarchy."
Contrary to the theorizing of Carter, Pope John Paul II taught, "The Lord Jesus chose men to form the college of the twelve apostles, and the apostles did the same when they chose collaborators to succeed them in their ministry." He added: "the Church recognizes herself to be bound by this choice made by the Lord himself. For this reason the ordination of women is not possible." (Catechism of the Catholic Church; 1577)
Carter singled out the Southern Baptist Convention and Roman Catholic Church, claiming that they "view that the Almighty considers women to be inferior to men." However, both Christian faiths hold to the Scriptural truth that God created men and women equal.
Carter suggests that only in permitting women to become priests and pastors could male religious leaders choose to interpret teachings to exalt rather than subjugate women. "They have, for their own selfish ends, overwhelmingly chosen the latter, subjugation," he said.
"Their continuing choice provides a foundation or justification for much of the pervasive persecution and abuse of women throughout the world," said Carter. Carter goes on to list horrific violations against women such as rape, genital mutilation, abortion of female embryos and spousal battery.
Responding to Carter's nearly identical points in July, John Paul Meenan, Professor of Theology at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy in Barry's Bay, Ontario characterized Carter's points as "ridiculous," noting that there was no evidence of the ordination of women in the early Church.
Moreover, Meenan stressed that historically Christianity ought to be credited for promoting the dignity of women. "It is the Church that invariably improved the lot of women in the lands that were converted and Christianized," he said.
Ping for your lists.
I guess he truly believes that Islam really is the religion of peace ...
Only Catholics and Baptists? Nother other religions?
I really can’t list what I want to say!
Get off the stage you crazy old man.
Wow!
Bashing Rome and the SBC in the same breath!
So it’s the Catholic’s and Baptist’s fault that Islam stones their women for riding in a car with a man who is not her husband?
Catholics and Baptists don’t “castrate”, stone, “honor kill”, or deny women entry into “heaven”. We don’t force women to wear rags on their heads 24-7.
P!ss on Carter.
Jimmi the well-paid for Dhimmi.
I was going to make a similar comment. I suppose there are far worse things than being included with the SBC. I’d rather be included with them then those pillars of Carteranity: ECUSA, PCUSA, ELCA, UCC, and the United Methodist Church.
Just dummy, not dhimmi.
Before we slam Carter too hard, it can get worse...
Hey Jimmy, these aren't Southern Baptist or Catholics...
Which is worse than the abortion of male "embryos" in what respect? The guy's only objection to the monstrous evil of abortion is that it skews towards destroying females rather than males. Why anyone would listen to what the man has to say about any subject is a mystery that I will never comprehend.
What the heck has he been teaching all these years?!?!?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.