Jimmy Carter leaves Baptist church, condemns oppression of women

Those of us who grew up in the '80s may not know it, but at the time of his presidency Jimmy Carter was known as a very religious Southern Baptist guy. So it came as somewhat of a surprise to me to learn that he's left the church apparently some time ago. His statement makes it clear why: the church discriminates against women and contributes to a culture that makes oppression and cruelty to women acceptable. He points out that long-held religious tradition has justified discrimination against women and girls as if it were prescribed by a deity.

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.

I recommend the same course of action to anyone out there who notices the same thing in their own religion's teachings: stop supporting sexism and simply leave.