November 18, 2002
BGCT resolutions address campaign finance, peace
___By Ken Camp
___Texas Baptist Communications
___WACO--Texas Baptists approved resolutions supporting campaign finance reform and legal protection for non-profit elder care institutions, opposing the expansion of gambling in Texas, urging prayer for peace, love of enemies and advancement of religious liberty.
___Eight resolutions were presented by the convention's resolutions committee, chaired by Julie Pennington-Russell, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Waco.
___The only resolution generating discussion was on campaign finance reform, which noted Texas is one of only 10 states with no laws limiting contributions or expenditures in statewide and legislative campaigns. Further, Texas law does not require candidates to report the amount of cash on hand at the end of a reporting period.
___Texas law also "does not require itemizing of expenditures made by a candidate's consultants and other political intermediaries, allowing candidates to conceal expenditures by using these intermediaries," the resolution stated.
___Gary Teague, messenger from River Oaks Baptist Church in Fort Worth, spoke against the resolution, saying it "does not speak to a spiritual issue" and is "purely political in nature."
___Suzii Paynter of First Baptist Church in Austin, public policy associate with the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission, spoke in defense of the resolution, noting that both the Democratic and Republican party platforms support the language in the BGCT resolution.
___"Legislators say to me, 'I want to do the right thing, but I'm caught in a system that is unduly influenced by money,'" Paynter said. The resolution attempts to "give our legislators and public servants the support of the faith community to do the right thing they often want to do."
___Messengers approved two resolutions related to the threat of war with Iraq, calling on Texas Baptists to pray for peace and to pray for their enemies.
___One of the resolutions urged that at 9 a.m. on the 11th day of every month for the next year, "every willing Texas Baptist pause and pray specifically for those who consider themselves our enemies, that they may turn from hatred to the love of Jesus Christ."
___Messengers also affirmed Christian non-profit care facilities for the aging, noting these institutions "have come under increased burdens due to unnecessary and frivolous litigation and escalating insurance costs."
___The resolution calls on leaders of state government to "seek and secure relief from these burdens by passing into law legal reforms" regarding torts, protecting endowment funds for charitable causes and reforming liability insurance for non-profit providers of long-term care.
___Another resolution urged Baptist churches and individuals to oppose "any legislation or new regulations that promote the expansion of gambling in Texas." The resolution voiced support for efforts to study the social and criminal costs to Texas communities caused by gambling.
___Other resolutions expressed appreciation to Waco as the host city for the convention and to convention officers for their leadership.
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