Black pastor: Southern Baptists should honor Obama

[HopeOverFear]

By RACHEL ZOLL – 17 hours ago

NEW YORK (AP) — A black Southern Baptist pastor has asked his denomination to acknowledge the importance of President Barack Obama's election, despite the convention's opposition to many of his policies.

The Rev. Dwight McKissic of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, has proposed a resolution that would celebrate the election of the first African-American U.S. president "as a significant contribution to the ongoing cause of racial reconciliation."

McKissic has submitted a draft to a Southern Baptist committee, which will decide whether it should be put to a vote at the denomination's annual meeting June 23-24 in Louisville, Ky.

The Southern Baptist Convention was formed in 1845 so slaveholders could continue to serve as missionaries. In 1995, Southern Baptists formally sought forgiveness from African-Americans.

By 2007, the convention's minority membership, including African-Americans, Asians and Latinos, had grown to about 18 percent, said the Rev. Richard Land, head of the denomination's public policy arm. But like many other U.S. denominations, the 16.2 million-member Southern Baptist Convention remains overwhelmingly white.

Southern Baptists are staunchly anti-abortion and have consistently supported Republicans.

[Number23]

1. That battle would be epic

Black Southern Baptists trying to get an acknowledgement of support for Obama from the anti-abortion Southern Baptist Convention that I'm sure will scream over Obama's pro-choice stance.