Concerned About Concerned Women

Today's LA Times is running a story about Concerned Women for America -- the political action committee organized decades ago by Beverly LaHaye to derail the Equal Rights Amendment. The article is aptly named, "They Won't Stand on Common Ground."

The truth is, the right-wing movement taking over our country got its original impetus to organize from opposition to Equal Rights for women. They succeeded in defeating the ERA Amendment and then expanded their agenda. Meanwhile, American society has acted as though the Equal Rights Amendment passed. Business and government has been opening many doors for women that were previously closed.

Women should not take the advances that they have gained for granted. Doors that are now open can quickly close. A good example is the status of women in the Southern Baptist Convention. In the 1970's, when the Equal Rights Amendment was being debated, Baptist women were graduating from Southern Baptist seminaries, being ordained as chaplains, and on occassion serving as pastors of churches. Twenty-five years later, allies of Concerned Women for America are in control of the SBC and now, by official policy and decree, women can no longer be ordained as chaplains or serve as pastors of Southern Baptist Churches.