"He's my pride, he's my joy, he's my one and only Jimmy boy..." *

Jimmy Carter leaves Southern Baptist Convention due to church's sexism and subjugation of women.

An excerpt:

"... 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 was in conflict with my belief - confirmed in the holy scriptures - that we are all equal in the eyes of God."

Carter is currently throwing his considerable energies behind a group called The Elders, "an independent group of eminent global leaders, brought together by Nelson Mandela, who offer their collective influence and experience to support peace building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity." For more on their views on equality for women and girls around the world, click here.



* With a nod to The Girlfriends.