Religion Blocks Social Justice

[Starr* Saffa]

by Starr* Saffa » Wed Aug 26, 2009 12:39 pm

Former President, Jimmy Carter, leaves his religion after sixty years because they are in violation of the Declaration of Human rights by discriminating against women. His letter is at the end of this discussion. In his message he identifies that religion is used to abuse the female population and states: "Women are prevented from playing a full and equal role in many faiths"

I belonged to such a religion for over thirty years, namely the Baha'i Faith. At the same time that they will not allow women to be part of the top decision making process in the community they are telling the public and members that they believe in the equality of women and men. Clearly, as Carter has pointed out, keeping women from equal roles in the Baha'i Faith is discrimination and a form of unjustified abuse.

This practice of keeping women in secondary positions in the Faith has existed since its inception in 1863, a practice which abrogates the equality established by the Bab and Tahirih in their religious movements of the 1844 period. Interestingly the Baha'i Faith says it is the fulfillment of Babism. So here is a clear case before our eyes that demonstrates what Carter is talking about where a religion starts out with equality and then is appropriated and used to subjugate by men who are seeking power over women and souls for personal agendas. Some people try and start splinter groups of Baha'i but they are still stuck with the patriarchal format that the founder set up. Personally I have peeled away the 'lies' and gone back to the root purity vision which was given to humanity by Tahirih to begin a new Universal Era based on the God/dess within the individual. You can see some of my work which includes a book, music, and a film about Her at: http://starrsaffa.com

Groups like the World Bank are beginning to throw money at third world countries to work on the problems of the women of the world. I suggest that it is more important to get to the root causes which affect attitudes and behaviour in third world countries, which is religion being used as a tool to keep women depressed and from having equal rights and input into the Social Justice Systems of the world. Please enjoy and think about Jimmy Carter's message, because it hits on root causes of the worlds problems with eyes wide open.

Living Love in the Vision of Tahirih's Cycle of Harmony and Balance - Starr*



Losing my religion for equality

* Jimmy Carter
* July 15, 2009

Women and girls have been discriminated against for too long in a twisted interpretation of the word of God.

I HAVE been a practising Christian all my life and a deacon and Bible teacher for many years. 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.

This view that women are somehow inferior to men is not restricted to one religion or belief. Women are prevented from playing a full and equal role in many faiths. Nor, tragically, does its influence stop at the walls of the church, mosque, synagogue or temple. This discrimination, unjustifiably attributed to a Higher Authority, has provided a reason or excuse for the deprivation of women's equal rights across the world for centuries.

At its most repugnant, the belief that women must be subjugated to the wishes of men excuses slavery, violence, forced prostitution, genital mutilation and national laws that omit rape as a crime. But it also costs many millions of girls and women control over their own bodies and lives, and continues to deny them fair access to education, health, employment and influence within their own communities.

The impact of these religious beliefs touches every aspect of our lives. They help explain why in many countries boys are educated before girls; why girls are told when and whom they must marry; and why many face enormous and unacceptable risks in pregnancy and childbirth because their basic health needs are not met.

In some Islamic nations, women are restricted in their movements, punished for permitting the exposure of an arm or ankle, deprived of education, prohibited from driving a car or competing with men for a job. If a woman is raped, she is often most severely punished as the guilty party in the crime.

The same discriminatory thinking lies behind the continuing gender gap in pay and why there are still so few women in office in the West. The root of this prejudice lies deep in our histories, but its impact is felt every day. It is not women and girls alone who suffer. It damages all of us. The evidence shows that investing in women and girls delivers major benefits for society. An educated woman has healthier children. She is more likely to send them to school. She earns more and invests what she earns in her family.

It is simply self-defeating for any community to discriminate against half its population. We need to challenge these self-serving and outdated attitudes and practices - as we are seeing in Iran where women are at the forefront of the battle for democracy and freedom.

I understand, however, why many political leaders can be reluctant about stepping into this minefield. Religion, and tradition, are powerful and sensitive areas to challenge. But my fellow Elders and I, who come from many faiths and backgrounds, no longer need to worry about winning votes or avoiding controversy - and we are deeply committed to challenging injustice wherever we see it.

The Elders are an independent group of eminent global leaders, brought together by former South African president Nelson Mandela, who offer their influence and experience to support peace building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity. We have decided to draw particular attention to the responsibility of religious and traditional leaders in ensuring equality and human rights and 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.

The carefully selected verses found in the Holy Scriptures to justify the superiority of men owe more to time and place - and the determination of male leaders to hold onto their influence - than eternal truths. Similar biblical excerpts could be found to support the approval of slavery and the timid acquiescence to oppressive rulers.

I am also familiar with vivid descriptions in the same Scriptures in which women are revered as pre-eminent leaders. During the years of the early Christian church women served as deacons, priests, bishops, apostles, teachers and prophets. It wasn't until the fourth century that dominant Christian leaders, all men, twisted and distorted Holy Scriptures to perpetuate their ascendant positions within the religious hierarchy.

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. Their continuing choice provides the foundation or justification for much of the pervasive persecution and abuse of women throughout the world. This is in clear violation not just of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but also the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul, Moses and the prophets, Muhammad, and founders of other great religions - all of whom have called for proper and equitable treatment of all the children of God. It is time we had the courage to challenge these views.

OBSERVER

Jimmy Carter was president of the United States from 1977 to 1981.

Post a reply

[Byron Spears]

Excellent post! Thank you....

[Starr* Saffa]

Thanks Byron.

I just got a post from a Bahai who says they completely believe in the infallibility of the Universal House of (IN)Justice, and sees this as a system for a future world order. I must admit that it makes me wonder what kind of man would want to serve on a body that openly discriminates against half of the population, which obviously keeps the world out of balance and therefore incapable of Peace and Harmony. Well there are 7 billion heads, all with different beliefs operating, it sure would be nice if we could harmonize.

Starr*

[Byron Spears]

Be encouraged. One day there will be complete equality.

[Starr* Saffa]

Hi Byron

Thank you for your encouraging knowing.

I invite you to listen to some samples of the Tahirih Alive Album at the bottom of the home page at http://starrsaffa.com because there are some heartfelt songs expressing equality, balance, the Divine within, and the healing remedies.

We all have to resocaialize our masculine imprinting and one of the prayer-songs addresses this. If you are interested I can post the lyrics.

To a balanced world where the power of equality evaporates injustice,

Living Light-Love, Starr*