Why do you take Bro. Ted to task for implying something about Mr Pitts and then you imply about Bro Ted? Can I use the phrase “typical”. You chide Bro Ted for implying he knows Mr Pitts intentions and heart. Then you do the same to Bro Ted.

I have read and reread both of your post. Everything you say “conservatives” or “theSBC” does wrong in dealing with opposing view points, you turn around and do it to those you have just chided. It appears you have issues with Olive and “an axe to grind” with the church and Bro Ted.

I noticed you implied that the SBC was incorrect in many social areas. I also notice a glaring lack of scripture references. Naming the gospels does not count. As to assume that Jesus was some social liberal who was here to “show us how to live” shows a great lack of understanding of who Christ is and His purpose on earth and in heaven.

So if Bro Ted is wrong….if the SBC is wrong…show the scriptures references so they can be tested against other scripture and to ensure those references are not taken out of context.

Instead of making general statements give exact statements and opinions as to why, say the Jesus Camp is dangerous. Stay out of generalities and let’s get specific and discuss opinions rightly.

Mark

Words are inextricably tied to their meanings, aren’t they! It is impossible to respond to what someone says without having interpreted the intent of those words. You, for example, apparently thought that I was calling Bro. Ted’s response to Mr. Pitts unreasonable and responded to my thoughts accordingly. Bro. Ted’s response was not unreasonable. I never called it such. (As a side note, I happen to think that Bro. Ted is a brilliant man!) I simply intended to suggest that we, as Christians, should consider a different response. I also wanted to make it very clear that liberals should not all be painted with the same brush, especially from the pulpit. Just as all Christians are different, liberals vary, too. There just may be some sitting right next to you at worship on Sunday. The most recent LifeWay publication indicates that there are probably more than you think in the Southern Baptist Church.

I loved the diverse ministries available at Olive and enjoyed being a member there for many reasons, but when it became clear to me that I, a very political person, would never be fully accepted there because I don’t ascribe to the Republican party or the ideology behind it, I had to move on. No, I’m not talking about being pro-choice or supporting gay marriage or any other black and white issue. I’m talking about things like the Iraq war, social welfare, international relations and other important issues. I love Jesus passionately. I don’t play church. I’m a blood-bought child of the King of Kings who met Jesus, after going to church my entire life, as an adult at Olive Baptist and then left Olive because of the dogmatic way all things political are approached from the top all the way down. To illustrate more clearly, here’s an excerpt from something I wrote to a friend at the peak of my frustration:

…Political rhetoric only divides those whose relationships are built upon a foundation other than genuine respect and admiration of character. Eliminate the superfices of an individual- their physical appearance, tangible possessions, and even their political beliefs- and what remains is them, their quintessence…

I’m constantly stupefied and quite honestly infuriated by people in general and especially Christians who dogmatically approach political and otherwise ideological conversations solely with the intent of converting others to the so-called “right” side (pun intended), or better stated their side, with abject disrespect for the individual behind the idea. Somewhere along the way, salvation became the culmination rather than the initiation of our spiritual and intellectual journeys. The last time I read the Word it said that in heaven, when we meet God face to face, is the moment at which we will become whole. Until then, we are called as a human race and especially as Christians to love people, not ideas. When will we learn to say I love you, not despite, but because of your beliefs? Because you have some, although not akin to mine, and you use them as a compass to navigate your way through the waters of life. Ultimately, all of us with the intellectual capacity and emotional maturity to do so are seeking truth. We must embark on our journey, however, with the realization that while on earth, we will not know truth in its entirety because our minds are incapable of even beginning to “fathom what He has done from the beginning to end.” (a sage guy named Solomon)

Jesus made His earthly appearance not only to offer himself as a sacrifice, but to show us how to live. Through His exemplary life we were shown that the efficacy of a life and a message (an ideology) are contingent upon having an ardent love for PEOPLE just as they are. Remember reading Matthew, Mark, Luke and John?

I guess the bottom line of what I’m trying to say is that the price of perpetuating an ideology is much too much to pay if you have to undermine its true intent and it ends in marginalization. As a Christian and unabashed liberal I am often ostracized by the trenchant tongues of those who don’t understand (primarily because they haven’t asked for an explanation) how my political and spiritual beliefs come together harmoniously and convict me to read, listen and think before I enter the voting booth rather than making the obvious “Christian” choice. They don’t comprehend my views about the death penalty, welfare, education or capitalism. That’s okay. But it’s not okay that rather than challenging my ideology, where the real rift resides, the majority of my Christian “friends” challenge ME. To be completely honest, I am loved more deeply in my secular social circles than I am in Sunday School. And we wonder why so many people shun Christianity! Knowing how much Christians are capable of loving and realizing that many of them love you a little less or are less willing to develop a relationship with you because you have differing ideologies is one the most alienating experiences an individual can have. Imagine what it feels and looks like to someone who is not a Christian.

Folks, I know it is difficult. I didn’t wake up one day with some sort of “skip the superfices and go straight for the heart” superpower. It takes patience and deliberation to love people whose views differ from our own. The rewards, however, are innumerable and well worth the sacrifice. When we make the grave mistake of choosing passion for an ideology over passion for genuine people whether their ideals and mores are congruous with ours or not, we befriend the Jeff Gannons of the world. Meanwhile, good people who are desperately seeking and patiently awaiting the message that will lead them to THE TRUTH when He is revealed to us in all His glory and dissenting opinions will divide us no more are harmed irreparably…

The Southern Baptist Church has made the mistake in the past, from the beginning actually, of being involved in politics in such a way that they had to apologize and seek forgiveness later. It took the church 150 years to take care of that one. I pray it’s not putting itself in that position again. I do continue to worship at a Southern Baptist church, but it’s in my new home in Alaska. That’s why I’m still so concerned about our denomination. You may have seen my pastor and his wife on last summer’s VBS video.

The Christians portrayed in the “Jesus Camp” documentary are dangerous- very. And Mr. Pitts doesn’t have to know better than anything. He’s not running for a political office. I’m not suggesting that I agree with his hyperbolic comparisons, but at least he’s being honest. At least he’s not trying to dupe me to get my vote and later being found to be guilty of atrocities unspeakable. Believing that either party- conservative Republican or liberal Democrat- has the interests of Christ at its center is, quite frankly, silly.

Let us all continue to pray for one another.

AJ

It is not unreasonable to take offense to a journalist (who should know better) who associates you with a terrorist organization. Pastor Traylor was not responding to what Mr. Pitts meant…(how in the world could he do that?)…he was simply responding to what Pitts said. The current “Jesus Camp” documentary is further evidence that people on the left are attempting to label Christians as “dangerous.” The concept that Christian fundamentalist are as dangerous as people who run airplanes into buildings is silly.

When Christians choose to run for political office, it is important that they never forget, as you have clearly stated, that church and state are separate entities– and they should be. Katherine Harris is under intense scrutiny for myriad reasons and is an intelligent woman who should know better than to make the types of statements she made in her interview with the Florida Baptist Witness. She crossed the line that separates church and state and received her comeuppance for doing so.

As a born-again child of the King of Kings, my heart weeps as I observe the way self-proclaimed Christian fundamentalists, especially those involved in politics, have absconded my faith and my Lord and turned them into something they are not. My closest friends and I, some of them missionaries and pastors, often discuss how these people have become an impediment to our witness. Loving Jesus does not mean waging war against “infidels” in hopes of making them just like me. Knowing my Lord does not mean hating homosexuals and treating them as if they are sub-human. My faith in Christ does not compel me to take offense to the editorial of a man who’s obviously not making reference to me. It instead compels me to stand up for and demonstrate my faith in fresh and new ways so that people may come to know Him through my LOVE. Tracy has the right idea. Let us begin with prayer–for ourselves first and foremost.

Liberal is not a four-letter word. Jesus is not a white, middle-class Republican–or Democrat. And, as a side note, let us not be too quick to praise Thomas Jefferson. That’s an issue for another time…

(there is nothing else that needs to be said)