From Philadelphia-
Here's an instant replay, in case you missed it: after 60 years, former President Jimmy Carter has split with the Southern Baptist Convention over its position on the role of women in the church.
"I personally feel that women should play an absolutely equal role in service of Christ in the church,” Carter told the Atlanta Constitution today.
Carter's decision came about one month after the convention voted against women serving as pastors (the convention met June 23-24). Comments began flowing today. Exact wording of the convention's decision could not be determined. The Convention website does not mention the vote. A story by Charlotte's atheism examiner , which includes a YouTube video of Carter, appeared earlier today.
Carter writes about his decision in an article entitled "Losing My Religion for Equality" on The Age.com website. He plans to continue serving as a deacon in his hometown church in Plains, Ga., and associating with Baptists who share his views.
"My faith is a source of strength and comfort to me, as religious beliefs are to hundreds of millions of people around the world. So my decision to sever my ties with the Southern Baptist Convention, after six decades, was painful and difficult. It was, however, an unavoidable decision when the convention's leaders, quoting a few carefully selected Bible verses and claiming that Eve was created second to Adam and was responsible for original sin, ordained that women must be 'subservient' to their husbands and prohibited from serving as deacons, pastors or chaplains in the military service." Carter wrote.
More here-
http://www.examiner.com/x-10271-Charlotte-Episcopal-Examiner~y2009m7d21-Jimmy-Carter-leaves-Southern-Baptists-backs-women-in-ministry
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