Carter, Clinton Back
Moderate Baptists
By AP from the
NYTimes on the Web, January 10, 2007
ATLANTA -- With the help of
former President Carter, Baptists who have distanced themselves from the
conservative Southern Baptist Convention announced plans Tuesday for a major
meeting that aims to improve the Baptist image and broaden its agenda.
Carter, who left the Southern Baptists in 2000 after the denomination came under
conservative control, and former President Bill Clinton, also a Baptist, joined
leaders of about 40 Baptist groups in making the announcement at The Carter
Center.
''Our goal is to have a major demonstration of harmony and a common commitment
to personifying and to accomplish the goals that Jesus Christ expressed,''
Carter said.
Bill Underwood, president of Mercer University, a Georgia school with Baptist
ties, stressed that the assembly was not a partisan effort, despite the support
of the Democratic ex-presidents. Underwood predicted that Republican
public officials would also participate in the meeting, scheduled tentatively
for Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2008, in Atlanta.
But Richard Land, head of the Southern Baptists' public policy arm, noted that
the gathering will be held during a presidential election year. Land said
organizers will have to work hard to ensure the event is not viewed as ''overly
political.''
Organizers say the event could draw more than 20,000 Baptists. Among the
groups supporting the effort are several historically black Baptist
denominations. Carter stressed that Southern Baptists are invited to the
gathering.
The announcement Tuesday is the latest chapter in fierce Baptist battles over
how to interpret Scripture. Starting in 1979, Southern Baptists who
believe the Bible is without error took leadership of the convention, which now
claims 16.4 million members. The denomination became a leading voice
opposing gay marriage and abortion, and took stands on many other public policy
issues.
Southern Baptists with a more liberal outlook responded by forming their own
groups, including the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, an organizer of next
year's assembly.
Lance Wallace, a spokesman for the fellowship, said the goal of the meeting was
''to give Baptists a more accurate depiction in the public mind-set.''
The meeting's focus will be on healing social ills including poverty, pollution,
lack of health care and global religious and racial conflict, organizers said.
On the Net: Cooperative Baptist Fellowship:
http://www.thefellowship.info/
|
