Stephanie
Diamond Member
- Jul 11, 2004
- 70,230
- 10,864
- 2,040
Southern Baptists canceled an event with Ben Carson. Here s why it matters. - The Washington Post
Southern Baptists find themselves in the midst of another political controversy over the upcoming appearance — now canceled — of Ben Carson at their Pastors’ Conference.
Carson is a celebrated neurosurgeon, conservative commentator and likely presidential candidate. A number of Baptist pastors, especially those affiliated with Baptist21, spoke out against Carson’s appearance. Their concerns were primarily that Carson, as a Seventh-Day Adventist, presumably holds doctrines that fit uneasily with evangelical theology.
Carson has also made statements about Muslims, Jews and Christians all being “God’s children,” perhaps implying that there are multiple paths to God. Hosting Carson and other Republican candidates, the critics said, continues to convey the impression that the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is “in bed with the Republican Party,” as Baptist21 put it. Leaders of the Pastors’ Conference “mutually agreed” with Carson that he would withdraw.
This was a welcome outcome to what had the potential to be a serious snafu for the SBC. Whatever the organizers’ intentions, Baptist21 has this exactly right – hosting any political candidate carries a tacit implication of endorsement.
The decision is being praised and I think the SBC also did the right thing.
Discuss: what do you think about this?
I think all political operatives should be banned from religious services.....operatives like Rev Al Sharpton......Rev Jessie Jackson....Rep Elijah Cummings....President Barack Obama......etc....
agree. but don't think you'd see HEADLINES of Christians taking back their invite for the Dear Black leader, Obambam