The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), with conservatives firmly in control, voted to rebuke President Clinton for his veto of the partial-birth abortion ban, to censure Disney for promoting "anti-Christian" values, and to recommit themselves to Jewish evangelism.
The three measures were among 14 resolutions approved at the denomination's annual convention in New Orleans, and all three drew rapid rebuttals from their intended targets.
Although the convention's attendance was 30 percent lower than in 1995 and the lowest since 1981, the 13,700 Baptist messengers, or delegates, at the Superdome were quick to reaffirm the conservative direction of the nation's largest Protestant body by selecting as their new president Tom Elliff, a third-generation Southern Baptist pastor from Del City, Oklahoma. Last fall, 80 top conservatives met in Atlanta to agree on Elliff as a consensus candidate. This election was the first in at least 50 years in which a new president was elected without an opponent.
Elliff, following his election to a one-year term, clearly aligned himself with conservatives, saying, "We are a Word-driven denomination with a mandate from Christ to spread the gospel." He said he is committed to using the appointive authority of the presidency to place into leadership individuals who affirm the "inerrancy" of the Bible.
However, outgoing president James Henry, Jr., during his final address, sounded a more conciliatory note, saying, "We as Southern Baptists are a diverse people. We must appreciate and appropriate this diversity for the common good."
PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION: Prior to the convention, Henry and 10 former SBC presidents wrote a letter of protest to Clinton because of his veto of the partial-birth abortion bill (CT, May 20, 1996, p. 74). Less than a week later, Clinton wrote a lengthy reply reiterating his position of support for banning the controversial abortion procedure--provided health exceptions were made. He said, "I do not support the use of this procedure on demand, or on the strength of mild or fraudulent health complaints. But I do believe that it is wrong to abandon women . . . whose doctors advise them that they need the procedure to avoid serious injury."
Nevertheless, the SBC overwhelmingly passed a resolution labeling the abortion method "barbarous" and "cruel." The denomination asked Clinton to revoke his veto, or alternatively, for Congress to override the presidential veto.
DISNEY BOYCOTT: In another resolution, the convention expressed disappointment at Disney's policy of health benefits for live-in partners of homosexual employees and the "objectionable" film "Priest," produced by the Disney subsidiary Miramax (CT, May 15, 1995, p. 52). The resolution calls for a boycott of Disney stores and theme parks if the company continues "this anti-Christian and anti-family trend."
A number of other national organizations, such as the American Family Association and the Eagle Forum, are already boycotting Disney for similar reasons.
Disney has responded by saying, "We find it curious that a group that claims to espouse family values would vote to boycott the world's largest producer of wholesome family entertainment. We question any group that demands we deprive people of health benefits."
JEWISH OUTREACH: On its fourth attempt, the SBC's Messianic Fellowship successfully presented a resolution favoring Jewish evangelism, which was adopted by the convention. In addition, the Home Mission Board has appointed a missionary to American Jews.
"The Great Commission is to the Jewish people too," said Gus Elowitz, a Messianic Southern Baptist from Houston.
Yet, Jewish leaders rapidly condemned the SBC's resolution. Phil Baum, head of the American Jewish Congress, said the SBC is "misguided," and the resolution is "offensive doctrinal arrogance." He said, "The sturdiness and stamina of Jewish religious commitment has been demonstrated over the millennia. Jews are not put on this earth just to give employment to missionaries."
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