Posted on 01/29/2005 10:48:42 AM PST by Chi-townChief
NASHVILLE -- Leaders of 15 million black Baptists on Friday called on President Bush to pay as much attention to democracy at home as democracy abroad, issuing a list of demands that they say better defines America's moral values.
After an unprecedented assembly of four historically divided Baptist groups, presidents of each denomination declared their opposition to the war in Iraq and to the nomination and expected confirmation of Alberto Gonzales as attorney general.
They also called for a higher minimum wage, discontinuation of recent tax cuts, investment in public education and reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, some provisions of which are up for review in 2007.
"We have power in terms of black registered voters across the country to impact who sits in the White House," said Rev. Stephen Thurston, president of the 3 million-member National Baptist Convention of America and pastor of the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church on Chicago's South Side.
Leaders also demanded that Bush stop privatization of prison construction, reinvest in children's health insurance and increase global relief for black nations such as Sudan and Haiti.
During this week's sessions, delegates passed the plate to endow two historically black colleges, fund care for African AIDS victims and provide tsunami relief in Somalia. The money will be distributed from a newly opened bank account shared by the four groups.
The Nashville assembly was the first since 1895, when a number of black Baptist state and regional associations met in Atlanta to form the National Baptist Convention, USA.
>snip<
Rev. William Shaw, president of the 7 million-member National Baptist Convention, USA, did not rule out reunification, saying it is up to God's will.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
1. "We have power in terms of black registered voters across the country to impact who sits in the White House" doesn't sound like much of a bragaining chip since only a few % voted for President Bush in the first place.
2. "The Holy Spirit has caused this coming together." Are these guys sure that they're not really "radical right-wing Fundamentalist Christians" ?
So, God told them to tell the President to raise their taxes, eh?
Okay Freepers, let's have a great big collective 'YAWN' in sympathy. Altogether now...
BTTT
Everything they want is bad for productive Americans and good for Big Government.
They also called for a higher minimum wage, discontinuation of recent tax cuts, investment in public education and reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, some provisions of which are up for review in 2007.
"We have power in terms of black registered voters across the country to impact who sits in the White House..."
Hmmm... seems that power should have been used last cycle... the demands would appear to run contrary to present policy elaborated by elected officials
Well... is this a starter or non-starter? Good-faith initial conditions bargaining position or simply sabre-rattling demagoguery?
"...issuing a list of demands..."
Stuff your freaking list, morons.
STFU.
"We want 'The Man' to continue to keep us down."
What the..I know it is a small point but I don`t get the fuss about this one.Unions?
Baptists in name only.Notice no mention of Jesus or salvation.
Yeah, yeah, render unto God that which is God's... now give us a big old piece of Ceasar's action!!
They think sKerry won the election, HELLO????/
Dateline January 2105:
African Americans still whining. African Americans still victims. African Americans still demanding "justice". Congressional Black Caucus meets with President to damand.............blah, blah, blah, etc., etc., etc., and on and on and on,...
They prefer Che... he has an attitude. And a beret.
"Baptists in name only.Notice no mention of Jesus or salvation."
Baptists only in the sense they're all wet.
LOL
Congressman Billybob [TWO different columns this week]
Click for latest, "Homer, Shakespeare, Pope, and George Bush"
Poor babies, whining their lives away!
WTFU! (first word is wake) :)
And we already had hope that blacks would step out of the darkness.
What is it that that blacks got for block voting at 95% for Democrats during all those years.
How far have Democrats brought them along when representing their most loyal constituents?
One thinks that a light bulb eventually lights up, to enlighten these people that the Reverend and his ilk took them for a ride.
Stop blaming Bush, he offered more for education and met each and every monetary demand that Ted Kennedy asked for.
What did Bush get: First there were not enough skilled teachers, then the usual standard, it's not enough money, and finally criticism during the election.
This wake up call not to listen to the same old drummers is way overdue.
Go vote for Bush, he does what he says. No hollow promises.
." Are these guys sure that they're not really "radical right-wing Fundamentalist Christians" ?
I usually am not one to question the faith of another, but in this case I believe they have left faith behind and have turned to leftist political operatives. Has the phrase "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and unto God what is God" been left out of their core Book? This doesn't mean that as Christians we stand on the sidelines and watch the world go by,but the demands of this group goes beyond what Christians should be about and doing, which is spreading the Gospel.
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