Several religions have scriptures that leaders can use to promote misogyny which lead to its consequences of gender discrimination and widespread economic and political strife. In "Losing my Religion for Equality," Jimmy Carter, United States president from 1977 to 1981, was so appalled with the unjust sexist teachings of the Southern Baptist Convention that he cut his ties with it after six decades of being its devotee. He severed his religious affiliation due to the latter’s specific beliefs that treat women as second-class citizens. Religious followers should challenge and oppose spiritual teachings that oppress women because subjugating the female gender disadvantages not only them but all of humanity. Several religions legitimize gender
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Misogynistic spiritual beliefs hamper women from employment and leadership in important fields. Carter notes that spiritual verses delineating “women [to] be ‘subservient’ to their husbands [are disallowed] from serving as deacons, pastors or chaplains in the military service” (par.2). He calls religious believers to contest such beliefs that render women too inferior to perform their roles in the Church and the military. Women are not less than men and can serve diverse leadership functions. In addition, Carter undercuts how spiritual beliefs about women’s sinfulness and inferiority have led to the thinking “that women must be subjugated to the wishes of men [which] excuses slavery, violence, forced prostitution, genital mutilation and national laws that omit rape as a crime” (par. 4). Being second to men justifies all forms of violence against women. Equally important, misogynistic religious beliefs “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” (Carter par. 4). As long as religions say that women have lower value than men, these beliefs can be distorted to encourage and normalize the loss of their control not only over their bodies but also their destinies. Whoever controls the body has the power to nullify women’s rights and
Misogynistic spiritual beliefs hamper women from employment and leadership in important fields. Carter notes that spiritual verses delineating “women [to] be ‘subservient’ to their husbands [are disallowed] from serving as deacons, pastors or chaplains in the military service” (par.2). He calls religious believers to contest such beliefs that render women too inferior to perform their roles in the Church and the military. Women are not less than men and can serve diverse leadership functions. In addition, Carter undercuts how spiritual beliefs about women’s sinfulness and inferiority have led to the thinking “that women must be subjugated to the wishes of men [which] excuses slavery, violence, forced prostitution, genital mutilation and national laws that omit rape as a crime” (par. 4). Being second to men justifies all forms of violence against women. Equally important, misogynistic religious beliefs “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” (Carter par. 4). As long as religions say that women have lower value than men, these beliefs can be distorted to encourage and normalize the loss of their control not only over their bodies but also their destinies. Whoever controls the body has the power to nullify women’s rights and