This is scary.
For those with even the vaguest interest in Baptist history it is a travesty to discover how it is being abused; for those of us in churches descended from Barton it is embarrassing and shameful. Even though Barton is now large 'B' Baptist in name only it doesn't do any of us any favours. What would Dan Taylor have made of it all? And of course, WWJD?
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I'm gratifed to discover that the Christian Council of Britain in its constitution regards me and my kind as contemporary dangers to our United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (predictably alongside Islam!).
Sad that Barton with its proud history should have descended to supporting those who spout pseudo-scriptural justifications for racial separation and who allegedly attend demonstrations with the intent of beating up homosexuals.
Of course some branches of the Worldwide Baptist Family have a very shameful history on slavery and racism, the US Southern Baptist of America being a case in point. I believe the Southern Baptists formally repented of their racist history in 1995 but many individual Baptist Churches in the Southern States do not welcome non-whites into membership and a lot of their recent anti-Obama rhetoric is as much about race as it is gay and abortion issues.
Ann, you are so right - and it is just so incredibly sad as well as shameful that we are so much better at rhetoric than reality.
Andy, you and me both!