Richard Land Leaves Interfaith Coalition, Affirms Religious Liberty
- Jan 22, 2011 - 30 -
Richard Land announced January 21 he had listened to Southern Baptists and as a result was withdrawing his name from a diverse coalition established to monitor “mosque discrimination” in the U.S.
“While many Southern Baptists share my deep commitment to religious freedom and the right of Muslims to have places of worship, they also feel that a Southern Baptist denominational leader filing suit to allow individual mosques to be built is ‘a bridge too far,’” wrote Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, in a letter to the Anti-Defamation League, which established the coalition. The ADL, founded in 1913, seeks to quell anti-Semitism through its programs and services.
Land said that after much prayer and thoughtful consideration he determined it was best that he resign from the ADL’s Interfaith Coalition on Mosques, explaining that his position with the SBC had both prophetic and representative elements. “Sometimes it is difficult to balance those two roles,” he said.
The coalition, comprised of prominent individuals from different faith traditions — Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, Muslim and Jewish — was formed in September 2010 to assist those Muslim communities confronting opposition to the legal building, expansion or relocation of their places of worship.
Land stressed that while he is stepping aside from the ADL panel, he is not stepping aside from his commitment to religious liberty for all Americans.
“As Baptists, we believe in religious freedom, that is the right of people to the free exercise of their faith without interference from government authorities,” he said.
“Baptists have been victimized by such religious discrimination in the past. We should always remember that if we allow the government to discriminate against one religion today, they can discriminate against any or all religions tomorrow.”
Admitting he was surprised at some of the reaction from fellow Southern Baptists, he explained most of the negative responses at a minimum affirmed “everyone’s right to worship,” but drew the line at “denominational leaders filing suit in court to protect those rights when Muslims are the aggrieved party.”
Land said his involvement with the interfaith coalition was perceived by many as “crossing the line from defense of religious freedom to advocacy of, or promotion of, Islam itself.”
While Land said he disagreed with that perception, he added, “Southern Baptists have the oft-expressed right to form their own perceptions as well as the right to expect their denominational servant to be cognizant of them and to respect them.”
In the past, he said, he had been frustrated with Southern Baptist leaders who were not responsive to the will of their constituencies, saying he did not want to be counted among that number. “I serve Southern Baptists,” he said.
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1 On Jan 25th, 2011, at 5:37am, James E Reeves wrote:
The question of promoting Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, or any other religion would seem a little questionable on the surface considering the constituencies of the ethics chairperson.
If Christian ethics demand anything less than recognizing Jesus as ruler over all kingdoms then would it be wrong to fully evaluate and study the other kingdoms, religions, and cultures?
Let us be careful first to know what our core belief is built upon and why it is the largest in the world.
2 On Jan 25th, 2011, at 3:09pm, Michael Griffin wrote:
Thank God for standing up for Christianity and your followers. ISLAM is an incompatable religion for America.
I am ashamed to see so many mosques being allowed around this country…Believe me…I say to you…...They are not
with us the USA….they seek domination…And will say anything to make you think otherwise….but they are our enemies.
3 On Jan 25th, 2011, at 6:31pm, Rev. Larry Chesser Jr. wrote:
Dear Dr. Richard Land, Thank you for standing up for right even though others did not agree with you. I support your decision even as I prayerfully discern the complexities of the issue you addressed with the decision explained above.
God Bless You!
4 On Jan 25th, 2011, at 7:39pm, James E Reeves wrote:
Should the role of Dr. Land now be to educate everyone of historical results of practicing each religion according to each ones code of ethics compared to love Jesus and love your neighbor? Altruism and other ethical views?
5 On Jan 25th, 2011, at 11:07pm, Ray wrote:
As a Southern Baptist, your membership in the Interfaith Coalition on Mosques had been extremely troubling to me. Our Great Commission is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ - not promote other religions. Yes, we should stand for religious freedom for ALL religions but not promote particular non-christian religions. I am glad you have seen the light and gotten back on the right path.
6 On Jan 25th, 2011, at 11:20pm, Loren Hutchinson wrote:
I’m sorry Dr. Land didn’t take this opportunity to teach Southern Baptists about our history and why Baptists led the fight for religious freedom in this country. He caved to the voices of emotion and missed a chance to truly lead. He could have shown the country what Baptists believe (or should believe) about religious freedom for all.
(Or maybe he did. If so, we’ve quit being Baptists.)
7 On Jan 26th, 2011, at 12:24am, Don Cashwell, pastor wrote:
Thank you Dr. Land for taking a stand for freedom of religion yet standing against the promotion of Islam. God Bless!
8 On Jan 26th, 2011, at 12:45am, Shepard S. Averitt IV wrote:
1 Kings 11:4-8
For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and after Milcom the detestable idol of the Ammonites. 6 Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not follow the Lord fully, as David his father had done. 7 Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable idol of Moab, on the mountain which is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the detestable idol of the sons of Ammon. 8 Thus also he did for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.
NASU
America is going the same way that Solomon went and our end will be the same.
9 On Jan 26th, 2011, at 7:07am, Jewel Waldron wrote:
Dear Dr. Land,
I fully support you in your decision. Today, I read about churches loaning their churches to Muslims to worship. Oh, how sad. They are allowing people to worship false gods in our Lord’s house. They might as well let them worship satan in my opinion and I fear God’s wrath on them and our nation. God will bless you for your stand for Him.
Jewel Waldron
10 On Jan 26th, 2011, at 6:47pm, Tim Cline wrote:
We must remember that Islam does NOT have an agenda to promote freedom of worship! Look anywhere in the world where Islam is the dominant religion and you will see, not discrimination, but oppression of the Christian faith. Do we honestly think that Islam has a different agenda here in the USA? I am not speaking from fear. I have lived in a nation that is dominated by Islam!
The rules are different now in the world. And I am not sure how to navigate these waters. What I do know is that if Islam is helped in its establishment in this country, then we will soon find that we no longer have a right to worship the Lord Jesus.
11 On Jan 26th, 2011, at 6:52pm, ÐœÐ, Paul wrote:
I am positive on historical “Decision” of Dr.Land and SBC that it was being made also by taking on account deep theological and geopolitical nuances such being the one is following: theocratic orthodocs muslim countries that are Sunni and Shiite, that make party of UN and the League of Arabic States have ambigous in theological terms policy of making treaties with other countries
(this is of course is based on Quran).
For example if Iran or Northern-to-be Sudan signs a protocol with anygiven Christian State that requires both parties to execute the “letter and the spirit” of the document- the Muslim part according to Quran is not mandated to implement the contracts with keifers i.e. unfaithfull i.e. Christians i.e. you and me i.e. your and mine children.
12 On Jan 26th, 2011, at 10:43pm, bill johnson wrote:
Sir;
I commend your decision to resign from the Interfaith Coalition. My own personal opinion is that Mosque’s are a breeding ground for formenting hate against those of different faith and for teaching their grand goal of Islam to “take over” and replace the U. S. Constitution with extremist Islamic law. This is taught in the Koran, as you are well aware of.
Current court cases, the internet, and their literature are repleat with language of hate and intent of terrorists actions (to include the teaching of children that to be a suicide bomber is to have great favor with Alah).
These teachings are incompatable with the Rule of Law and life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution.
I admire your work on behalf of Southern Baptists and the cause of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
13 On Jan 27th, 2011, at 5:30am, Christy wrote:
Dear Dr. Land, It would seem that your decision to step down from the ADL’s Interfaith Coalition goes against your personal judgment in deference to the wishes of your constituents. When I read of your decision yesterday, I asked myself if the role of a leader was to lead or to follow…..and whether or not we could liken this moment to that of the Civil Rights Movement when many from your denomination felt that was also a “bridge too far.” It would seem that it is moments like this that Dr. King directly addressed in his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.”
The irony is not lost on me that you are the president of The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and by your own admission support the freedom of worship for all people, not just Baptists.
(cont)
14 On Jan 27th, 2011, at 5:41am, Christy wrote:
As a leader within the largest protestant denomination in this country it would seem to me, with all due respect, that you have a responsibility to shepherd your constituents, not merely represent them. As long as a preponderance of members from within your denomination view interfaith cooperation and ecumenicalism as a zero sum game, there will be no equal justice. As Dr. King reminded us, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
(cont)
15 On Jan 27th, 2011, at 6:20pm, Christy wrote:
You say that you have been frustrated with Southern Baptist leaders who were not responsive to the will of their constituencies and that you serve Southern Baptists. It is my sincere hope that your first responsibility is to the call of the Prophet Micah: “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” and then to serve the interests of Southern Baptists. And when the interests of Southern Baptists are in opposition to the voice of Micah, I would hope you would choose to serve the prophetic call and work to enlighten hearts and minds within your community of faith rather than conform your position to the comfort and will of the people.
Many Blessings,
A former Baptist
16 On Jan 27th, 2011, at 10:37pm, Terri wrote:
I support your decision to leave the coalition. Not because I do not want religious liberty for all, but because of the position you hold. I remember when the Archbishop of Canterbury said that he supported the use of sharia law for domestic issues among Muslims. I was taken back. He was the representative of the Catholic church. Shouldn’t he be defending the church’s position on these domestic issues and explaining why the church’s position is good for people? I have heard you do that. However, I see Islam as more than just a religion and I am not sure when to give grace and when to start defending myself. Muslim people need grace, like we all do. The Muslim religion seems to see no separation of mosque and state. How can I support that? Defending it seems similar to the President of the United States going to other countries to apologize… I have great respect for you and your work. Let us seek Christ’s wisdom in these matters.
17 On Jan 28th, 2011, at 12:04am, John wrote:
Dr. Land,
I believe that each individual should be allowed to worship God as he sees fit. As a deacon of a Southern Baptist Church, I feel that we must make our church a beacon with which to draw non-believers to Christ. I am certain that Muslims feel the same way about their mosques. Unlike our church, the Muslim intent is to establish their law as supreme in the land thereby to eliminate all other religions. Why would a Southern Baptist give support to this intent?
18 On Jan 28th, 2011, at 6:27am, James E Reeves wrote:
Letter from Birmingham Jail (April 1963)
I am in Birmingham because injustice is here. Just as the eighth century prophets left their little villages and carried their “thus saith the Lord” far beyond the boundaries of their home towns; and just as the Apostle Paul left his little village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to practically every hamlet and city of the Graeco-Roman world, I too am compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my particular home town. Like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid.
We have waited for more than three hundred and forty years for our constitutional and God-given rights.
A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. To put it in the terms of Saint Thomas Aquinas, an unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal and natural law.
19 On Jan 28th, 2011, at 9:09pm, Christy wrote:
@ John,
You said, “Unlike our church, the Muslim intent is to establish their law as supreme in the land thereby to eliminate all other religions.”
As a Christian and as a former Fundamentalist Baptist, it bears pointing out that radical Islam does not represent the whole of the Muslim faith any more than Catholicism or the Amish represent the whole of the Christian faith. To make broad sweeping statements like these are neither helpful nor accurate.
What I see in America today, actually, is a political movement energized by certain segments within Christianity represented by lobbying groups, such as the Heritage Foundation and Dr. Land’s own organization, that are doing just as you imply: attempting to establish their law as supreme in the land by asserting that America is a Christian Nation, rather than a secular nation that extends religious freedom to all.
Do you see the similarities to what you have said?
20 On Jan 28th, 2011, at 9:11pm, John wrote:
Well said Terri.
21 On Jan 30th, 2011, at 12:04am, Virgie Metts wrote:
I agree with Mr. Land in his stepping down from that position because of the presecption it causes. America has always been a “freedom of religion” nation, however, I do not believe the Islam religion has any more rights than any other religion. I think building a mosque near ground zero is “a finger in the eye” to those who died or lost loved ones since it was muslims who caused that pain and suffering to start with. In Christianity we use a word, compassion. I wonder if the Islam religion has such a word. I would hope so.
22 On Jan 31st, 2011, at 4:26pm, Don Bearden wrote:
If Islam takes over America it will be because the Church in America rolls over and plays dead. We should not be threatened by Islam. They worship a dead god. We worship the true and living God. The SBC is not growing. We continue to boast about our 16,000,000 members but can’t find 4,000,000 of them on Sunday Morning. We continue to say we believe the Bible but live like atheists. We continue to be more concerned about maintaining our institutions than proclaiming the Gospel. No wonder Islam frightens us. We fear Mohammed more than we fear God. Shall I go on? We…that’s enough.
23 On Jan 31st, 2011, at 7:49pm, John wrote:
Christy,
I believe that religion is personal and that no one should force a religion on another. I agree with you that religious extremists of any religion that attempt to force their religion on others are wrong to do so. The New Testament promotes peace and a separation of what belongs to Cesar and what belongs to God. Islam is a religion that does not recognized a separation of church and state. It believes that the government must follow its dictates and control all aspects of life. The goal is for all nations to be under shari’a law. This can be done through violent jihad as the extremists attempt or under dawa, the slower non-violent infiltration of a country. I will not support the efforts of any religion that seeks to overthrow our form of government. Only those Muslims not practicing their religion do not support this. Do you see the difference.
24 On Jan 31st, 2011, at 11:16pm, Christy wrote:
John,
My muslim friends are very democratic and very American and have no wish nor intent to “overthrow our form of government” nor make it more Muslim. On the other hand, I have many Christian friends who wish to make our government more representative of their understanding of their version of Christianity.
I wish to make our government more just and merciful….as do many followers of all three Abrahamic faiths and other wisdom traditions.
In her book A Return to Love Marianne Williamson defines a miracle as simply, “a shift in perception.” I pray for miracles in the work toward interfaith understanding everyday.
Many Blessings.
25 On Feb 3rd, 2011, at 12:12am, Pastor Rick Williams wrote:
Dr. Land,
I agree with your stand completely and am sorry you had to withdraw from the coalition.
Those who see your stand as giving in to (or endorsing of) the Muslim faith are just using this as an opportunity to push their own feelings forward about past Muslim wrongs.
We are not endorsing their pagan religion. We only stand for the religious liberty within our United States of America. I am proud to be an ordained Southern Baptist pastor that can point to a long history of standing for religious liberties and the seperation of Church and State in our great land.
26 On Feb 3rd, 2011, at 4:45pm, Jannis Reevesj wrote:
02-03-2011
I can see the effects of personal ethics under a Theo-centric ideology on display in Egypt. Dr. Land made the right move but needs to consider a Christocentric basis of relating ethics to actions of which he already knows is aligned to be historically true.
The law verses grace can only be resolved when Jesus is considered the central figured Person.
Rejection of Jesus has been the leading cause of unrest in the Middle East for 2011+ years. Study Jesus’ acts and then other prophets acts to see the true ethics of knowing where peace comes from
27 On Feb 8th, 2011, at 10:10pm, John wrote:
Christy,
I hope that you are correct in your beliefs about your friends and hope for a miracle that will change the fundamental Muslin beliefs. I fear for my granddaughters if it does not happen.
28 On Feb 15th, 2011, at 5:17am, James E Reeves wrote:
Dr.Land, according to the teaching of Paul and Jesus all the scriptures of the law & prophets were to acknowledge the Deity of Jesus and His coming.
Jesus spoke to Jews when there was no Islam and they wanted a common king and just like 1Samuel 8:7 .
Christian ethics demand that Jesus is worthy to be praised in any earthly or Heavenly place today.
29 On Feb 15th, 2011, at 10:10pm, Christy wrote:
John,
The Bible tells us 365 times to fear not. And Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Letting go of fear—- it is powerfully transformative when you can do this.
We fear what we don’t understand. If we want Muslims to be peaceful toward us, then we must be peaceful toward them. If we want Muslims to understand us, then we must make the effort to understand them. If we want Muslims to not be afraid of us, then we must not be afraid of them. We must treat them as we ourselves would like to be treated. The Golden Rule is at the heart of both the teachings of Christianity and Islam and by following the teachings of Jesus to love God, our neighbor and our enemy, we bring about the kingdom. There should be little fear in that.
Many blessings.
30 On Feb 22nd, 2011, at 5:01pm, John wrote:
Christy,
I do not fear everlasting life, a Heavenly life. I do fear extremists in all religions here on earth. I have enjoyed our discussions. God bless.