This is my first post. I have resisted blogging up until this time. Now is the time for heavy thinkers to lift up their heads and post.
As an American Baptist minister, I recognize that some folks think it unlikely that I or other Baptists might actually use their brains and ask hard questions. But historically that is exactly what Baptists have done. American Baptists in Massachusets have an attractive and interesting downloadable document about the history and identity of American Baptists, 10 Facts You Should Know About American Baptists. Baptists in the States have for nearly four centuries stood for liberty and justice--for all people, not just for themselves. Baptist values are not in sync with those of the "religious right."
An interesting web site to visit is that of the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America. Although the organization's early response to plans for US war against Iraq was disappointing, the web site is full of information about myriad peace-related events involving Baptists. Anyone who assumes that (all) Baptists are part of the religious right, and that we blindly support the actions or policies of any administration, needs to think again, and visit this web site.
Another web site that challenges some stereotypes about Baptists is that of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. Rather than trying to force all Americans to be Christians, as seems to be the goal of some on the right, the Baptist Joint Committee works to defend the religous liberty of all Americans.
A third web site that may shake up some presuppositions about Baptists is the Rainbow Baptists web site. This web site is both a resource and an on-line voice for LGBT Baptists. Yes, there are such Baptists, and there are many Baptist congregations that welcome and affirm them.
These web sites, along with many other sources, represent some of the hard thinking that American Baptists have done and are doing. I hope to explore some interesting and sometimes difficult questions on this blog.
3 comments:
Great first post!
The American Baptists that I have known have been progressive. It is good that you have presented some of the important things that Baptists are doing. The problem with "Baptists" is that there are so many different kinds, some of which are dangerous. But that is true of the word "Christian," also. That is why it is such a good thing that there is a group like "Protestants for the Common Good," which brings together progressive Protestants of different traditions.
Perhaps we need a new denomination of progressive, worshipping communities.
I, too, am new to blogging.
Peace, Ann
Lynn,
Thank you for your post. I finally got around to reading it and clicked on the links which took me to some very good websites. I have made two of them "My Favorites".
I especially enjoyed the 10 misconceptions people have about the separation of church and state.
Wayne Jacobsen
Post a Comment