Baptists Move to Fight Divorce
N E W O R L E A N S, June 13, 2001 -- The Southern Baptist Convention addressed thedivorce rate among its members today by urging pastors toconvince couples they should promise not to get divorced quickly.
The resolution promoting what's called covenant marriages keptto the theme of the annual SBC meeting — a new focus on preservingmarriage among born-again Christians.
Under a covenant marriage, couples formally agree beforemarrying that if they become estranged, they will undergo intensivecounseling before splitting up.
Opposing Euthanasia, Cloning, and Web Pornography
The meeting of America's largest Protestant denomination alsoissued declarations against euthanasia, human cloning and Internetpornography.
Southern Baptists also voted to support federal lawsuitsaccusing the Navy of discriminating against chaplains ofevangelical faiths. The denomination also warned Congress to rejectany campaign finance reform that limits free speech.
The resolutions were approved without debate among the 9,100church members gathered in the Louisiana Superdome on the final dayof the group's two-day gathering.
Outside, members of the gay rights group Soulforce, which hasprotested at the meetings of other denominations, tried to enterthe arena with a casket they said represented gays hurt by SouthernBaptists' anti-homosexual teachings. About 30 protesters werearrested without incident and charged with trespassing.
A Blueprint to Prevent Divorce
On Tuesday, the convention revealed plans to turn a critical eyeon itself by developing a blueprint for pastors on preventingdivorce among Southern Baptists.
Few details of the strategy have been finalized, but the aim isto strengthen the church and have Southern Baptist families serveas models for non-Christian couples, said the Rev. Thomas Elliff,who leads the convention's Council on Family Life.
The national divorce rate is estimated to be between 40 percentand 50 percent, and Elliff said some studies indicate the divorcerate among born-again Christians is similar. Federal statisticshave shown so-called Bible Belt states have among the highestdivorce rates in the country.
"It is our conviction that a healthy God-centered family … isa winsome testimony," Elliff said.
Taking Aim at Politicians and Pop Culture
Even with the focus on divorce in the faith, the Rev. JamesMerritt, convention president, said he won't stop working to changesociety at large.
In his annual address Tuesday, he accused network TV shows of"making a mockery of Christians." He warned that thedenomination's critics will try to silence its opposition tohomosexuality and abortion with "heat-seeking missiles oftolerance and political correctness."
"One president commits sexual sin in the Oval Office and theChristian Right is told to shut up," Merritt said. "Anotherpresident speaks openly of his faith in God and his trust in Christand he is told to shut up."