North Carolina Baptists Send Intolerant Message to Congregants
‘The church should be a beacon, not a barricade,’ said the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Harry Knox.
WASHINGTON — The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina sent a message of intolerance to its churches and congregants yesterday in passing a resolution to expel any member church that “knowingly affirms, approves or endorses homosexual behavior.”
“The church should be a beacon, not a barricade,” said Harry Knox, director of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s religion and faith programs. “Gay parishioners contribute in meaningful ways to their local churches and communities and the convention should focus on love and compassion, not finding ways to demean and marginalize the faithful.”
The North Carolina Baptists’ decision comes as several other Southern Baptist institutions have taken intolerant stances on gay issues. This week the Georgia Baptist Convention voted to sever ties to Mercer University — one of the denomination’s oldest and largest educational institutions — because school administrators refused to condemn a student group’s observance of National Coming Out Day. Additionally in Texas, Baptist-affiliated Baylor University dismissed a Baylor alumnus from the business school’s advisory board because he is gay.
“Instead of welcoming an open dialogue, these actions are designed to cut off any intellectual or spiritual debate,” said Knox. “God gave us intellect so we would use it, not cut ourselves off from those who disagree with us.”
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.