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He lives his truth

I was too young to really appreciate him as a president, and he had a tough row to hoe (the fruits of the Vietnam War, and the economic backsnap from Nixon's price controls: the Defense Industry reacting to the reductions in spendings the both of those made practical, and needed. His willingness to engage in Detente, and the Rights attitude that only because of Nixon was he there at all). But his career post office, working with Habitat For Humanity, taking advantage of his bully pulpit to go out and do good works. It doesn't seem to me he is in it for the money, or the glory.

So he broke with his church.

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 th e 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...

At their 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.

Go, read the whole thing.