Also seen in today’s AJC:
Former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton announced in Atlanta on Tuesday the creation of a Baptist organization they said would counter what they say is a negative image of their faith.
The New Baptist Convention was announced at the Carter Center by representatives of about 40 moderate Baptist groups that have distanced themselves from the conservative Southern Baptist Convention. Carter and Clinton — both Baptists — said the New Baptist Convention will look for solutions to problems such as poverty and racism. Carter and Clinton said they want to counter concerns that Baptists have been “negative” and “exclusionary” and promised an inclusive organization willing to debate openly all issues.
One of the things that has troubled me while watching the ongoing schism within the Episcopal Church USA is the level of hatred and inward, exclusionary focus that have been expressed by some.
I suppose that the same thing has been going on within the Baptist meta-denomination.
It’s nice to see that some Christians are getting some publicity for challenging the intolerant stereotype held of them by a few folks in certain circles.