January 27, 1999
EDITORIAL:
Beware Baptist 'urban legends'
___A clever fable has been making the rounds on the Internet. Seems this cousin of a friend died last week. He got sick when he ate a fried rat in a bucket of chicken. While he was home recuperating, high-tech bandits broke in and stole one of his kidneys. He couldn't call 911 because his computer was connected to the phone line, and a virulent virus threatened to destroy his hard drive before Y2K did the deed. He got infected with the AIDS virus when he pricked his finger on a needle in the coin-return slot of a pay phone. He died of a gunshot wound when he blinked his lights at a carload of gang members.
___That's the condensed version of his woe-begotten tale. Our poor cousin-of-a-friend encountered the full range of "urban legends" now frightening the bejabbers out of America's e-mail crowd.
___Most of us laugh off the urban legends that spawned this catchy e-mail. We first shivered at them years ago, when we heard about the one-armed lunatic murderer who escaped from the insane asylum and nearly killed a couple out on Lover's Lane. Later, we snickered when we heard the same guy left the same hook in the back door of cars from Abilene to Zapata.
___Unfortunately, denominational urban legends are making the rounds among Texas Baptists, too. They're concocted to spread fear of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. They're perpetuated to drive churches away from the BGCT and into the open arms of Southern Baptists of Texas, a new convention comprised of Baptists who want to relate more closely with the Southern Baptist Convention.
___These malicious myths aren't surprising. Virginia Baptist leaders--whose state convention divided along similar lines three years ago--predicted this practice. "Your annual meetings will be more peaceful, because organized opposition to convention initiatives will diminish," a Virginia convention leader said, citing firsthand experience. "Unfortunately, the incidence of lies and misrepresentations will increase as the new convention recruits churches."
___We should pray that won't happen here. But we shouldn't be surprised if it does.
___Already, some Texas Baptists have been told that BGCT leaders:
___Intend to lead the BGCT "away" from the Southern Baptist Convention and "to" the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
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___One word describes these statements: Lies. Churches themselves determine the amount and destination of their out-of-state Cooperative Program contributions, and Texas still leads in SBC support. The BGCT Executive Board, led by convention officers, has stated homosexual activity is outside the will of God. Texas Baptists repeatedly have insisted ordination is the right of congregations, not the convention. Leader after leader has affirmed the authority of Scripture and the saving power of the virgin-born, sinless, crucified, buried and resurrected Christ.
___Numerous Texas Baptist churches will be asked to decide how they will affiliate-- with the BGCT or Southern Baptists of Texas. That's their right; it's the Baptist way.
___The Baptist way also honors truth. It insists on facts and soberly, solemnly makes decisions. If you are asked to vote on affiliation, you owe it to yourself, your church, both conventions and the cause of Christ to make your decision based on facts.
___Before you vote, insist your church hears from BGCT leaders. Call BGCT Executive Director Bill Pinson--(214) 828-5100--and ask for someone to come speak to your church, to hear your concerns and answer your questions. If you hear "facts" that don't add up, call the Baptist Standard-- (214) 630-4571--and ask us to check them for you. We'll get you the answer or put you in touch with someone who can.
___ --Marv Knox
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