SBC also Passed Resolution on Refugees
I meant to note this yesterday along with the battle flag resolution via WaPo: Southern Baptist Convention urges churches to welcome refugees
In the midst of a political season in which political leaders have frequently decried refugees as a security threat to the United States, the nation’s second-largest religious group sent a different message about refugees on Wednesday: Welcome them.
[…]
The significance of this statement, in a season in which numerous Republican governors have expressed opposition to Syrian refugees entering their states and presidential candidate Donald Trump has called for a ban on all Muslims entering the country, did not escape Southern Baptists.
[…]
“Scripture calls for and expects God’s people to minister to the sojourner,” the resolution said, citing Bible verses about welcoming strangers. ”We encourage Southern Baptist churches and families to welcome and adopt refugees into their churches and homes.”
Good Lord. We’re getting to the point where the SBC isn’t leaving the GOP, the GOP is leaving the SBC.
Wow. The SBC is starting to sound like it’s run by …Christians.
Seriously, good on them. It’s about time they stopped confusing GOP and GOD and got back to actually following scripture.
@bookdragon:
As an atheist I admire Christians on those rare occasions when they act like followers of Christ.
@Hal_10000: I won’t hold my breath, but apropos of that comment: “Trump Wants Restrictions on Muslim Immigration — but the Southern Baptist Convention Has an Entirely Different Idea” (from The Blaze).
@michael reynolds:
When I was a kid and the Jesus Movement was in full swing on campuses all over the USA, there was a campfire-style song (no, not Kum-Ba-Yah) that was very popular, called “We are one in the spirit”. The tag line of the refrain was “…and they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”
I’ve choked on the irony of that many times since then, so it’s great to see the SBC (of all people!) actually getting a couple of calls right for a change. Good on you, guys.
@DrDaveT: well, when your fellow religions start blowing you up….maybe you hesitate a bit.
but instead of saying that “banning muslim immigration” is bad- ask why we should be importing more of them, what benefit to this country will they bring? is there another religious sect that’s as batshit crazy for killing others en masse than muslims? is there another group of immigrants that absolutely hates gays, jews, christians, etc. and acts on their prejudices? well to be fair, most immigrants hate gays/jews anyways so let’s move on……
Project much? Oh, what am I saying…I’m sure you’ve had a gay Jewish girlfriend in the past…meanwhile, regarding banning all Muslims, the way to fight hate isn’t to practice hate yourself…
@bill:
Not if you’re actually a Christian. Jesus didn’t say “Be safe out there; don’t take any chances.” The Good Samaritan wasn’t doing something prudent; that was the point of the parable.
The uncomfortable truth is that Christianity actually teaches that when your fellow religions start blowing you up (or nailing you to crosses, or throwing you to the lions, or…) then what you do is love them anyway, and turn the other cheek, and keep doing the Golden Rule thing. Its not a trade or a contract or a conditional — it’s absolute. However you would wish to be treated by others, treat them that way. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who are persecuted for My sake.
If your religion isn’t down with that, it isn’t Christianity.