The Texas Baptists and Their Liberal Stance on Abortion

Excellent point. It is utterly nonsensical to make these exceptions in the abortion debate. It’s either a child or it’s not.

I agree with your point. And you’ve touched a nerve so here’s my soapbox about the BGCT. (Sorry it’s so long!)

While I will often be the first to condemn the BGCT (trust me I know a *lot* about their skeletons) I have to say here that the problem is also in the pews.

The Baptist churches of Texas need to educate their congregations about the BGCT. What they say about abortion is definitely included in that! While the BGCT has done a lot of things that I do not agree with, I know that if the people in the pews would stop being a bump on a log and start taking control of the convention things could change.

The way that Baptist polity is set up is intended to be from the pew up, not from the throne down. Yet too many Baptist churches fail to adequately take responsibility for this. They call themselves Baptist but treat the conventions as though they are popes and they blindly nod at whatever edict is handed down (seldom even reading the edicts). Many of those in leadership at the BGCT have become too powerful – but the churches have allowed this to happen.

The BGCT (ideally) does what the people in the pews say. So – yes – the Baptists in Texas need to be educated on what the BGCT says and does. They need to know what they say about abortion, how they handle money, etc. They *do* have the power to change things if they are willing. Sadly, many are not willing.

I went to the state convention about 3 years ago. This was right after the Valley Gate scandal came to light (an embezzlement scheme) which caused the BGCT to have SERIOUS money issues. As a result they fired 29 employees. (In reality they let go more than 40.) I was one that was “let go.” I went to the state convention (held the next month) for the first time to make my voice heard. They were voting on the budget that had just terminated so many people, but kept huge salaries for the politicians in the building. When they called for a vote on the budget I watched as about 90% of the auditorium raised their colored voting card into the air approving the budget. Then when they asked for those opposed I proudly raised my card in the air knowing that it would accomplish nothing.

I was proud that I had voted my convictions. But extremely sad because as I talked to people at that convention many didn’t even look at the budget. They just assumed that it was good. And those at my church honestly didn’t care.

The BGCT has problems, but those of us sitting in the pews are not blameless. We gave them power. Power they were never intended to have.

Perhaps someone should go and tape a new “95 thesis” to the Baptist Building’s doors. (Sorry – no nails – they’re glass doors.)

And as a side note to MichaelTemplin: I have heard people call the BGCT liberal, and the SBTC conservative. I have also heard the BGCT called moderate and the SBTC fundamental. I’m sorry, but can we please avoid these labels. The labels you use depend on where you stand on the spectrum. And the labels accomplish nothing except to cite more division.

This comment has been removed by the author.

@Justin – “To me it seems like they are simply acknowledging that abortion is a much more complex and difficult decision than it’s usually reduced to in the political and religious arenas, and that while it’s not the ideal choice, it is ultimately up to a woman and her doctor to decide based on all the information available. In other words, it seems as though they’ve taken a general negative stance on it and punted on the particulars. “

It is not up to the mother or the doctor my friend. It is either a child in the womb or it isn’t. If it is a child, then abortion is murder and cannot be allowed. Agreeing with Adam here, I am not saying that the instances of rape, incest, etc are easy ones nor am I making light of them.

I’ve never seen a pro-choice proponent walk up to a pregnant woman and ask how the lump of tissue in her stomach is doing. No, they ask how the BABY is, because we KNOW that abortion is heinous and wrong.

http://tinyurl.com/6g78d99

I was unaware of these details Adam, thank you for bringing them into the light brother.

Adam – I didn’t even realize that you had used the word “liberal” in your title. I wasn’t trying to take a shot at you. I just hate the implication that I’m not conservative since I work for the BGCT instead of the SBTC. I’ve had people say that (and worse) to me. I’m slightly sensitive about people calling me names. =)

Um, I did *not* know this and am extremely disappointed and frustrated about it… Thanks for sharing Adam.

michaeltemplin – I disagree that “generally the SBTC is a bit more strict in the areas of the authority of Scripture.”

Be very careful on how you say things. That comment makes it sound like the BGCT does not take the authority of scripture seriously. Please find another way to say what you mean.”

You need to grow some thicker skin. And you know what the differences between the 1960 and 2000 BFM are if you work in the BGCT. Do the words “Inspired, infallible, and inerrant” ring a bell?

“michaeltemplin – That’s how kids talk on 4chan. Around here I expect my readers to be more mature with their comments. If you want to gripe then you’ve come to the wrong blog.”

Maybe I have come to the wrong…if people are offended by the term liberal or conservative, and every time it’s used have to issue a warning to the user..I most differently have.

And since when has “growing thicker skin” been an immature comment? It’s a figure of speech simply meaning “don’t be easily offended”.

And before I go, what on earth have I “gripped” about? Do tell, so I can work on my online etiquette.

This comment has been removed by the author.

Perhaps the BGCT’s statement on abortion does allow for more wiggle room than some are comfortable with. But the “Southern Baptist alternative” only allows for abortion when the mother’s life is in danger.

What about pregnancies where the baby will not survive? Is it murder to keep them from having to needlessly fight for their life that will only last about 10-20 minutes? What is the difference between terminating the pregnancy in this situation, and taking someone off of life support?

Texas Baptists view on abortion in these kind of extreme situations cannot be considered liberal. They would still oppose it in most situations, where the most common reason is simply an unwanted pregnancy.

I’m a Texan who was saved because a friend took me to the youth group of a Southern Baptist Church 30 years ago. I’ve been away from the state for much of that time but have returned. In trying to find a local church, I’ve stumbled onto this SBC-BGCT business.

All Christians have to be vigilant for attacks on their churches. Communist progressives have realized that much of the opposition to their agenda comes from the pulpit and organizations like Sojourners are actively working to undermine churches as a result.

One of the most effective ways to do this is to put faithless leaders in charge of church conventions. The Episcopalians, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the United Methodists, and the Presbyterian Church – USA have already fallen to the forces of the enemy.

Two hundred years ago, the Episcopal Church was the largest Christian church in America. Today it is almost extinct. It would be the height of arrogance to presume that the BGCT would be immune. If anything, as an individual state convention without the moorings offered by faithful SBC churches in other states it may be more susceptible to this.

In choosing a church, I will begin with ones with SBTC affiliations.