Response to letter
I wish to respond to several statements included as part of a letter to you in Monday’s Dispatch from Bert Montgomery (“Saddened by aldermen’s decision”).
Mr. Montgomery identifies himself as a Baptist pastor. I would simply educate readers that it takes more than a belief in biblical immersion to qualify as what most in the public view as “Baptist.” I would never presume to speak for Mr. Montgomery, and he certainly does not speak for this Baptist. I would postulate that a vast majority of mainstream Baptists would disagree with his position on this issue. I would recommend that those in doubt inquire through your faith leader as to whether someone represents the mainstream of his or her stated affiliation.
Mr. Montgomery identifies “separation of church and state” as a “historically Baptist principle.” While I agree with this statement, I violently disagree with his context and application. I would submit that his view of this principle, like many others in the general public, is a distortion. The facts are that “separation of church and state” does NOT appear in the Constitution of the United States and should never be used to justify a belief like Mr. Montgomery’s. The original purpose of this principle, from the very foundation of this country, was to keep the government out of the church, NOT to keep the church out of the government.
I, too, believe there are a significant number of Christians, many of us church members, living in sin. I am one. We all are. The difference should be our desire to remove as much sin from our lives as possible. A true Christian would follow Biblical instruction and not become a stumbling block to others. A true Christian should certainly should neither glorify, promote, nor condone unbiblical actions.
As to the meeting in Starkville which was the subject of the letter, I wish to state that any differences of opinion should be discussed in a civil, polite manner. There is no place in the Christian faith for rudeness or public judgment of a particular person. If either of these were expressed in the meeting they were also not speaking for every member of their affiliated group.
Finally, Mr. Montgomery, you state that Christians should seek to be “a little more like Jesus.” I agree. I would submit to you, however, that no member of the Holy Trinity would EVER, EVER succumb to compromise when it comes to judging actions. We are told to love sinners; and, thank God, sins can be forgiven. But never fall prey to the blasphemy that love and forgiveness are equal to approval and endorsement of ALL human actions.
W. H. “Billy” Harris, Jr.
West Point
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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