Southern Baptist State Conventions this year

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

I mean that when race drives our action it is racism, regardless of whether it is to give someone a job based on race or to deprive one of a job based on race. Race is an obsolete factor in the identity of a person. The person does not control their color. The person has no choice of their race. The person has no right to demand something because of their race, and the person should not be discriminated against because of their race.

In terms of the SBC, I suspect that they are simply moving towards a different kind of racism - not because they have chosen people of color as leaders but because they (we, I'm SBC) highlight race in the choices they have made. It discredits the people who were chosen (it gives the impression that they were chosen because they were qualified and a minority, but not that they were the most qualified). The reason I have this perspective is that I've attended SBC churches for over 50 years and for the past 20 years people of minority have been a part of our churches (holding positions, not based on their race but on their gifts).

If this was the only issue that could be seen as social appeasement I probably would not have thought twice about it. But with public stands for Muslim rights, against the "rebel flag", involvement in "Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality" (to name a few) it is hard for me to see this as anything but a PR move. I hope it is not, and the men are certainly qualified for the positions.

Fair enough. Without argument I will likewise state my own position, which starts with the truism that not everything called racism is racism.

The issue as raised is evidently one of "racial neutrality," or so-called racial neutrality, versus actual racial neutrality, defining those terms however one means them.

I agreed to the original statement having in mind that abandoning a policy of disallowing racial prejudice would inevitably lead some to successfully promote racial prejudice without opposition, or even with approval.

Imagining there are no color differences is blind nonsense. Treating matters as if there are no cultural differences is patently unbiblical. It is not racism to recognize racial prejudice and stand against it whatever form it takes.

 

[JonC]

Fair enough. Without argument I will likewise state my own position, which starts with the truism that not everything called racism is racism.

The issue as raised is evidently one of "racial neutrality," or so-called racial neutrality, versus actual racial neutrality, defining those terms however one means them.

I agreed to the original statement having in mind that abandoning a policy of disallowing racial prejudice would inevitably lead some to successfully promote racial prejudice without opposition, or even with approval.

Imagining there are no color differences is blind nonsense. Treating matters as if there are no cultural differences is patently unbiblical. It is not racism to recognize racial prejudice and stand against it whatever form it takes.

I think that you highlight an important distinction that extends into many areas of the church - that is cultural diversity and differences.

Ironically when we try too hard not to act on our prejudices they are often magnified. The best thing IMHO is to examine ourselves and ask why we feel this way about another person (if that is the issue) and prayerfully approach the throne of God.

What we have seen in the world is a strive towards "racial neutrality" which is in truth seeking to promote racial prejudice without opposition. I agree there. What I was talking about was real racial neutrality (race not being a factor).

What the SBC needs to focus on is that there are two "races" of people - those of the flesh and those of the spirit. That's it. Look to those of the Spirit and promote the best one to accomplish the work of the kingdom.

 

[Shoostie]

Without argument I will likewise state my own position, which starts with the truism that not everything called racism is racism.

You think? The Left has created an industry out of falsely accusing others of racism while they themselves freely practice racism.

 

[Roy]

More from denominational organ Baptist Press, an editorial last week from a former SBC President:

RonnieFloyd: We have to become as diverse as possible — both in our churches and our leadership

"key to a healthier culture in the SBC is to empower...all ethnicities....This is one of the main reasons we are restructuring our staff at the SBC Executive Committee to include three separate positions for multi-ethnic relations and mobilization."

"It's also one of the main reasons I was so intentional about my presidential appointments in 2015 and 2016....making committee appointments...is one of the most significant long-term effects of the president of the Southern Baptist Convention. When I served in the role....I was determined to match or exceed [20 percent non-white] in our committee representation. In 2016, we had a Committee on Committees that was 22 percent non-white. At that time, this was unprecedented in our history, but it has now been surpassed by our current president, J.D. Greear, I am convinced that this intentionality is fundamental to a healthy future in the SBC."

I think that the focus is wrong. By trying to make appointments with regard to skin color, even if the reason is to spread them out fairly and evenly, is racist in an affirmative action sense.

The idea of social diversity is a socialistic governmental concept aimed at the eventual acceptance of all forms of immoral lifestyle (i.e. sodomy,homosexual marriage, fornication, and such). That concept should be banned from the church. Initially, diversity will be presented as a Christian concept (good Samaritan, love thy neighbor) aimed at race relations. It will later morph into acceptance of various Christ-hating doctrins into the church like evolution and pantheism. It makes me cringe to see churches promoting "diversity."

 

[Just_Ahead]

What a welcome trend!

Check out the recent headlines churned out by the SBC's Baptist Press:

Baptist Press • Colorado Baptists elect first African American president


Baptist Press • SBC of Virginia elects African American president

Baptist Press • S.C. convention elects first African American president

Baptist Press • Florida Baptists display unity, embrace diversity



Vice Presidents Vanessa Rodriguez-Cardona and Mike Wiggins join President Erik Cummings in prayer
View attachment 3354

Jerome, I agree this is a welcome trend. Thank you for posting.

 

[agedman]

There are those who look at anything white as racist.

Yet those same will look at anything of color and declare it non-racial.

"It matters not how someone is born, but what they grow to be." (MLK)

 

[Jerome]

More!

Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention


Baptist General Convention of Texas


The other Texas convention too!