Another snippet from the Mississippi Baptist Record, the state paper of the Southern Baptist Convention. This article is mostly conventional missionary fund-raising rhetoric. But it does give some interesting glimpses at the way some conservative Christians process political events like wars: "Southern Baptists urged to respons to Iraq needs", Baptist Record 01/01/04.
It quotes John Brady the head of the Baptist International Mission Board's efforts in the Middle East and northern Africa (my emphasis):
Southern Baptists must understand that there is a war for souls underway in Iraq, Brady said. Even as Islamic leaders try to tighten their grip on the country and its people, cult groups like the Mormons and Jehovah's Winesses are sending hundreds of their missionaries into Iraq to spread their pseudo-Christianity.
Conservative Christian "counter-cult" efforts are focused almost exclusively on the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses, both of which they see as cults. The more secular "anti-cult" groups view the Jehovah's Witnesses as a cult, but not the Mormons.
God will have His way in Iraq, Brady said. Christian workes from South Korea, Brazil and many other lands are coming to Iraq to share the Gospel. But, he said, "I am jealous to see Southern Baptists be a part of God's plan in Iraq. I am praying Southern Baptists will respond to this opportunity, because they are about seeing God's Kingdom grow. I am jealous for Southern Baptists, not be the only ones working, but not to be left out."
What's striking to me in the quoted paragraphs is the hostile terms - e.g., "a war for souls" - in which the Baptist Mission Board depicts other religions, including Islam. And they also frame the Iraq War as a religious conflict, which identifies Bush's war policies with Divine Providence. To them, Bush really is Bush the Mighty, Scourge of the Heathen.
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