Anti-gay, backwards beliefs of Southern Baptist Convention unacceptable, should not be lauded
G. Bryant Wright, newly elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention, is set to receive a doctor of humane letters honorary degree during USC’s graduation commencement.
No representative of the Southern Baptist Convention deserves such an honor from this university, unless it is predicated with the fact that the recipient has indeed distinguished himself in something — the continuing propagation of a backward agenda.
While students consider whether this conference of honor is warranted, they should remember the positions that the SBC has stood for in the past and shows no indication of abandoning in the near future.
In June of 1991, the SBC resolved that they oppose any government funding that “promotes sexual immorality” — funding that helped fund the 13th National Lesbian and Gay Health Conference.
In June of 2007, the SBC officially condemned hate crimes legislation for creating “special protected classes of homosexual and transgendered persons,” of which the “Bible is clear in its denunciation.”
In June of 2000, the SBC condemned former President Bill Clinton’s courageous declaration of Gay and Lesbian Pride Month. The SBC even attacked Disney in June of 1996 for the “appearance that the promotion of homosexuality is more important than its historic commitment to traditional family values.”
Should you share my commitment to LGBT equality, join me in refraining from applauding this man in receiving his honorary degree.