August 7, 2000
Baptist papers face content restrictions
___ATLANTA (ABP)--Two state Baptist newspapers have been restricted from carrying news and advertisements related to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
___The most stringent restrictions have been placed on Bill Neal, editor of the Christian Index in Georgia. Restrictions also have been placed on Don Kirkland, editor of the Baptist Courier in South Carolina.
___In Georgia, the Christian Index's 11-member board of directors adopted a policy that the newspaper should "in no way publish announcements, advertisements or editorials regarding this group" and "that no news items related to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship be published in the Index with the exception of those news items which the editor believes directly affect Georgia Baptists and/or Southern Baptists."
___The motion further directed the editor to consult with Georgia Baptist Convention Executive Director Bob White, who by virtue of office is treasurer of the Christian Index board, or with other board members if he thinks future CBF news items are newsworthy, so that they might "share the heat of making those decisions."
___Neal confirmed the board's action but declined further comment.
___Earlier this spring, the Index board held an emergency meeting in which Neal was required to explain why he had written an editorial some board members found objectionable. The editorial called for Christians to demonstrate sensitivity to people of other faiths when called upon to lead public prayers in secular settings.
___After the emergency board meeting, Neal published a front-page "clarification" of his views, with a brief introduction written by the board chairman.
___The Christian Index's board is elected by the Georgia Baptist Convention. This year, conservatives who support recent changes in the Southern Baptist Convention and oppose the moderate wing of Baptist life represented in the CBF gained a majority on the Index board for the first time.
___A majority of Index board members believe the CBF is in "direct competition" with the SBC, Index board Chairman Dave Parker explained.
___"This competition has created unhealthy angst and confusion among some of our Georgia Baptist members and churches. Therefore, the board did not feel it wise to be supportive of the CBF by reporting the Fellowship's advertisements, information or events in the official organ of Georgia Baptists, except where that information was newsworthy and relative to Georgia Baptist and Southern Baptist issues and concerns."
___About 150 Georgia Baptist churches, many of which subscribe to the Christian Index for their members, contribute both to the CBF and the Georgia Baptist Convention. The CBF also has established its headquarters in Atlanta.
___Neal has not been an advocate for Fellowship causes in the Georgia newspaper, nor has he been a critic of the Fellowship.
___In South Carolina, the board of the Baptist Courier has voted to ban all CBF-related advertising while a committee works on a permanent policy on the matter.
___The board's actions were in response to increased CBF promotional activities in South Carolina, said Fred Stone, pastor of First Baptist Church of Pickens, S.C., and chairman of the study committee.
___Board members instructed Kirkland to reject all state or national CBF advertisements and to refrain from printing any news item about the CBF that could be considered promotional.
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