November 20, 2000
Land, Walker debate issues at seminary
___FORT WORTH (BP)--Christians are persecuted by the United States government today, Richard Land told students at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Nov. 2.
___No they're not, replied Brent Walker in the same chapel session.
___The hour was devoted to a debate between Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, and Walker, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs.
___In his opening statement, Land said there is an atmosphere of religious persecution in America from some governmental bodies toward Christians.
___Walker replied that using the term "persecution" disparages people suffering true persecution around the world.
___"I cringe when I hear people whine and cry about this great persecution of Christians in the United States of America," Walker responded. "Look at China, Sudan, Indonesia, Burma, Nigeria and read about the atrocities and instances of genuine persecution, and then count your blessings to be an American citizen."
___Later, Land agreed that "'persecution' is too strong a word at present." However, Land warned that "harassment, suppression and discrimination unprotested and uncorrected will become persecution."
___Land and Walker also disagreed on what threat Christian churches in the United States face today from federal application of the two clauses of the First Amendment.
___American Christians face their greatest threat from violation of the First Amendment's free exercise clause, asserted Land.
___Walker replied that government should maintain a complete hands-off approach regarding all religious matters.
___"Government should not try to give religion a helping hand or to hurt religion, but to leave religion alone, to turn it loose and allow people of faith to practice their religion as they see fit," he said.
___Walker and Land agreed that posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools is not a good idea.
___Posting the Ten Commandments in these places is unconstitutional and bad theology, Walker said.
___Land agreed, explaining the Bible is God's special revelation to his people.
___Land did endorse display of the Ten Commandments in the U.S. Supreme Court building.
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