JACKSON, Miss.- The Southern Baptist Convention has issued a resolution calling for the removal of Confederate Battle Flags from churches within the convention as a “sign of solidarity of the whole body of Christ.”
Confederate battle symbols, particularly the Mississippi State Flag,have received national attention recently as some legislators in the state attempted to have them removed because many believed they glorified the confederacy and practice of slavery.
While the legislative session came to a close and the flag stayed the same, many in Mississippi and across the nation begged lawmakers to take it down and now that includes many Baptists.
The resolution released from the SBC stated:
“We recognize that, while the removal of the Confederate battle flag from public display is not going to solve the most severe racial tensions that plague our nation and churches, those professing Christ are called to extend grace and put the consciences of others ahead of their own interests and actions (1 Corinthians 8:9–13; 10:23; Philippians 2:3–4)”
The decision was made in St. Louis, Missouri at the annual Southern Baptist Convention on June 14th and 15th.
The final paragraphs of the resolution read:
“RESOLVED, That we call our brothers and sisters in Christ to discontinue the display of the Confederate battle flag as a sign of solidarity of the whole Body of Christ, including our African-American brothers and sisters; and be it finally
RESOLVED, That we urge fellow Christians to exercise sensitivity so that nothing brings division or hinders the unity of the Body of Christ to be a bold witness to the transforming power of Jesus.”
While the resolution was passed to encourage churches to join in the movement, it is not required that they remove the flag if they do not agree.
