A resolution states that the spill was a timely reminder that 'our God-given dominion over the creation is not unlimited, as though we were gods and not creatures.'
Southern Baptists issued a veiled but sharp critique of the nation's oil companies on June 16, saying "all industries are ... accountable to higher standards than to profit alone."
Members of the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in Orlando, Fla., said the massive BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was a timely reminder that "our God-given dominion over the creation is not unlimited, as though we were gods and not creatures."
The resolution, passed as the two-day assembly concluded, urged churches to pray for an end to the catastrophe and asked businesses and governments to work together to prevent future accidents.
The nonbinding statement comes as various religious groups are struggling to determine how best to respond to the spill and those whose livelihoods hang in the balance.
"We call on Southern Baptists to be ready to assist the communities and churches of the Gulf Coast through the clean-up process with the same generosity of spirit that Southern Baptists exhibited after Hurricane Katrina of 2005," it reads.
Baptists also adopted statements stemming from their opposition to homosexuality, opposing the proposed Employment Non-Discrimination Act and plans to allow openly gay members to serve in the military.
While proposed language for ENDA -- which would protect gays and lesbians from workplace discrimination -- contains an exemption permitting churches to not hire gay staff, the statement said the bill does not similarly exempt religious bookstores and other ministries.
Repeal of the Don't Ask/Don't Tell military policy will "restrict or redefine the gospel message" of Southern Baptist and other chaplains and could endanger national security, they said.
"No government should implement standards or policies regulating the lives of military personnel based on nothing other than indulging sexual desires," the resolution reads.
Baptists also adopted a statement about the "scandal of Southern Baptist divorce," urging churches to emphasize in wedding services that vows are a sign of a lifelong covenant rather than a mere token of romance.
"... (A) denomination seeking God's blessing in revival and reformation ought to address the spiritual wreckage left in our Southern Baptist churches by our own divorce rates and our silence about the same," they declared.
Posted by Sarah Pulliam Bailey on June 16, 2010 4:56PM
Comments
The Southern Baptist vote on the oil companies needing to be held to a higher standard is such a sad irony. It's as if they have blinders on and can't see the forest for the trees. What about holding this administration to a higher standard? Why are we FORCED to do deep-water drilling in the first place? Why the 6-month moratorium which the engineering experts consulted never agreed to yet had their names included on the deceptive "study-proposal" from Obama & the Dept of Interior? Where is the rationale for forcing BP to pay for 6-mos. unemployment for workers who are unemployed because of a needless mandate from Obama? Wake up Southern Baptists. It's not all the fault of BP and "Big Oil."
Apparently, the Southern Baptists have forgotten the mantra of this administration: "Never let a good crisis go to waste!" Obama and his leftist friends are "milking" this disaster for all they can to advance "cap & trade" legislation, "green energy" (try flying across country on green energy?), electric cars, and further attacks on big oil and corporations. Apparently the Southern Baptist Convention is in Obama's corner. How sad. How pathetic. Start lining up for your electric cars and $6.00/gal. gasoline. You voted for it, SBC!!
Posted by: Dale R. Yancy at June 18, 2010
Good for the Southern Baptists! For Christians this should not be dummied-down to a left/right issue. I don't know how any Christian can disagree with the statement, "all industries are ... accountable to higher standards than to profit alone." It's about time Christians begin to hold big business to a higher standard. Perhaps if Christians continue to do so, they will regain their moral authority in the business world.
Posted by: Gregory Scott at June 19, 2010