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11/08/2005 Southern Baptist Call for Investigation of Public
Schools For Homosexual Activism Resolution to be Considered in SBC
Conventions Covering 28 States COLUMBIA, SC, Nov. 7 /Christian Wire Service/ -- When Dr. Voddie Baucham and Bruce N. Shortt first presented their resolution to the SBC's 2005 Annual Meeting urging Southern Baptists to investigate whether their school districts are collaborating with homosexual activists, Baucham and Shortt didn't foresee that the 2005 Annual Meeting would unanimously pass a resolution substantially similar to theirs or that it would inspire Baptist leaders in conventions covering at least 28 states to introduce similar resolutions. They also didn't expect that Dr. Albert Mohler, the SBC's leading theologian, would publicly state in response to the issues raised by the Baucham-Shortt resolution that it is now time for responsible Southern Baptists to develop an exit strategy from the public schools. Homosexual activists claim that nearly 3,000 public middle and high schools have homosexual clubs, and public schools are rapidly adopting curricula and policies teaching that the homosexual lifestyle is morally acceptable. Consequently, the sponsors of the state resolutions see a pressing need for continuing the debate over homosexual activism in public schools that was begun by the Baucham-Shortt resolution. Roger Moran, a prominent Southern Baptist leader from Missouri and member of the SBC executive committee, calls for bold Christian leadership in education: "One of the great tragedies of American Christianity has been the near universal failure of its leaders to boldly proclaim the inherent dangers lurking within America's government owned and controlled schools. But now, in the context of Southern Baptist life, that is beginning to change. We are beginning to understand with increased clarity that the worldview into which our children are being educated in the public schools matters supremely. The secular worldview taught in our public schools has not only laid the foundation for a 'new morality,' but with the aid of liberal activist judges has cleared the way for pro-homosexuality activists in their massive effort to recruit America's young people to the homosexual lifestyle." Bruce Shortt, co-sponsor with T.C. Pinckney of the Christian Education resolution that was submitted to the 2004 SBC Annual Meeting, notes that attitudes among Christians about education are changing rapidly: "For years the public schools have been the 'golden calf' of American evangelicals. Many leaders and pastors have been afraid to speak out about the ways in which public schools are destroying our children because of the influence within their congregations of public school teachers, administrators, and parents. Today, however, it is almost impossible to conceal the virulent pathologies of the government schools, and a sea change is occurring in how Christians view the government's schools. There can be no better evidence of this change than Dr. Mohler's statement that responsible Baptists should begin developing an exit strategy from the public schools. Dr. Mohler is absolutely right and should be commended for his leadership and courage. Another clear sign of mounting awareness and concern over the harm public schools are doing is reflected by the fact that the number states covered by Christian education resolutions has nearly doubled over last year." Dr. Baucham points out that by rescuing children from government schools that collaborate with homosexual activists Christians are both helping the least among us and carrying out the Great Commission: "Children from low income or single parent families are often most vulnerable to the lies of homosexual activists. Our churches need to intervene to provide those children with a Christian education. The mission field is not just overseas; it is right here. And this mission effort requires a more serious commitment than just handing out tracts or sharing a testimony. No passage in the Bible suggests that God is concerned about our churches having large sanctuaries or elaborately produced music. He will, however, hold us accountable for our stewardship of our children." Mark Cole, a Texas homeschooling father and conservative activist, also puts it bluntly: "Christian parents are increasingly concluding that the profound decline in moral standards in many public schools make them unfit places for Christian children. The betrayal of our children by school districts that allow homosexuality to be portrayed as an acceptable lifestyle is just the latest manifestation of this. Public schools should strive to provide children with an excellent basic education without undermining traditional morality." Like the Baucham-Shortt resolution, the state Christian education resolutions typically point out the dangers inherent in the homosexual lifestyle, note the ways in which school districts are collaborating with homosexual activists, call for parents and churches to investigate their local school districts, and set forth standards that parents should observe in choosing how their children will be educated. The SBC state conventions have their meetings in late October through mid November, and the sponsors of the state Christian education resolutions plan to have their resolutions debated at their state conventions. Additional information, including the text of a typical state resolution, can be found at www.exodusmandate.org. State and Regional Sponsor Contacts: Texas: Mark Cole 832 428 7406
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