|
Mainstream Alabama Baptists |
|
JULY 2003 From the Executive Director...
The headline of an editorial in the Birmingham News on June 22 read "Christian Coalition stance half-truths and distortions." The editorial was written by two political science professors at Auburn University, and analyzed claims made by the Coalition on its web site, www.ccbama.org. The professors demonstrated that by using only part of the data concerning taxes in Alabama, the Coalition was presenting half truths to make their case against Governor Riley’s tax plan. A half truth is defined by Webster’s New World Dictionary as "a statement or account containing only some of the facts, the rest being left out with the intention of deceiving." Deceit, as you are aware, is condemned as sin in both the Old and New Testaments. It’s intent is the same as lying, seeking to cause someone to believe that which is not true. The Christian Coalition has a right, in this free society, to oppose the new taxes. But the tactics used in their opposition should reflect the ethics of the Bible. The witness of a group that invokes the name of Christ in their title should reflect the Spirit of Christ. The use of half truths by the Coalition is but one more chapter in the combative history of ultra conservative Christians. It seems that for many of them, the end justifies the means. They assume they only speak for God and any tactic to win the day is justifiable. We have seen this in the "Baptist Wars." The use by Fundamentalists of half truths, guilt by association and rumors doesn’t seem to bother their consciences at all. As for Mainstream, our desire is to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. God approves no less from his people. Grace and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ. Mel Deason
|
