Alarm Over Anti-Muslim Comments at Southern Baptist Convention Meeting

June 13, 2002

Source: People for the American Way

http://www.pfaw.org/news/press.asp?id=415

On June 13, 2002, People for the American Way issued a press release, "Bush Lauds Southern Baptist Convention After SBC Leader Denounces Religious Pluralism, Islam." The statement noted that, "On June 11, President George W. Bush addressed the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) via satellite. While Bush lauded the SBC for upholding the ideals of religious tolerance, civility and the separation of church and state, SBC leaders’ own remarks told a different story. 'President Bush should repudiate SBC leaders’ rejection of the American tradition of religious pluralism and their appeals to bigotry,' said People For the American Way Foundation President Ralph G. Neas. 'At a time when President Bush has called Americans to unity, he should not be embracing leaders whose message is grounded in sowing division.'"