Carter, Clinton Seek To Bring Together Moderate Baptists

[Herman Munster]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/20/AR2007012001295.html

Former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton are leading an effort to forge dozens of small and medium-size, black and white Baptist organizations into a robust coalition that would serve as a counterweight to the conservative Southern Baptist Convention.

The giant SBC, with more than 16 million members, has long dominated the political, theological and social landscape among Baptists, often spawning resentment among smaller Baptist groups. It has also been closely aligned with the Republican Party.

The new coalition, which is Carter's brainchild, would give moderate Baptists a stronger collective voice and could provide Democrats with greater entree into the Baptist community. But Carter and other organizers are trying to walk a fine line, insisting that the alliance is not directly political while touting its potential to recast the role of religion in the public square.

"We hope . . . to emphasize the common commitments that bind us together rather than to concentrate on the divisive issues that separate us," Carter said. "There's too much of an image in the Baptist world, and among non-Christians, that the main, permeating characteristic of Christian groups is animosity toward one another and an absence of ability to cooperate in a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood."

[still_one]

1. sorry but that is pretty much what religion is all about

just look at history and the amount of wars and man's inhumanity against man have been perpetuated by it

Of course people will rationalize that it has nothing to do with religion, but it actually has everything to do with it

[monarch]

2. VERY important development!

It could have far reaching consequences, and, if anyone doubts its necessity, just read the whole article and check out that idiot Land's remarks.