Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Land Denounces GOP Presidential Frontrunner

The fundamentalist Southern Baptist campaign to elect one of their own, Mike Huckabee, President of the United States has begun.

Richard Land, head of the SBC's non-profit political action committee, has begun some serious negative campaigning against the current GOP presidential frontrunner. Here's a quote from yesterday's Houston Chronicle:

Richard Land, head of public policy for the Southern Baptist Convention, told The Associated Press that evangelicals believe the former New York City mayor showed a lack of character during his divorce from second wife, television personality Donna Hanover.

"I mean, this is divorce on steroids," Land said. "To publicly humiliate your wife in that way, and your children. That's rough. I think that's going to be an awfully hard sell, even if he weren't pro-choice and pro-gun control."
The thrust of Land's criticisms are valid and serious. His rhetoric is caustic and without redemptive intent. Land represents the largest Protestant religious denomination in the country. He sounds like a campaign manager for an opposing candidate.

How can Richard Land serve as a public political handicapper, consultant and organizer while the SBC retains its non-profit status?

6 comments:

Jim Paslay said...

Bruce,

I will once again remind you that Richard Land is president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the SBC. Your continual lack of respect for this organization is not surprising but it is annoying. You are not factual in your articles by continuing to call the ERLC a political action committee. Did you ever call the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs a political action committee? I didn't think so. If your opinion is that the ERLC is a political action committee, then say so. But quit misleading people by your tilted bias.

Bruce Prescott said...

Jim,

BJC does not act like a political action committee. ERLC does.

If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and walks like a duck, you might as well call it a duck.

foxofbama said...

A duck it is for sure; Land's ERLC.
I commend to Mr. Palsey the debate between Land and Balmer you have linked below, and Implore Palsey to read Balmer's book.

SFox

D.R. said...

This statement is absolutely hilarious:

"His rhetoric is caustic and without redemptive intent."

Classic case of the pot calling the kettle black. Still acting like you are perfect and everyone else is a sinner. Wow.

Bob Ferguson said...

Well said Bruce. When Richard Land speaks on TV it makes my flesh crawl ... like someone scratching on a blackboard. He is so oily!

Bill Jones said...

RE: Jim Paslay's comment

First of all, let's get the name correct - for several years, it's been the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, and it is faithful & true to this name. Second, it is self-evident to any REAL Baptist (a term that I use deliberately & advisedly) that the "Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission" is the greatest misnomer in Baptist history. This "commission" does everything in its power to UNDERMINE both Christian ethics and religious liberty, but what else should we expect from today's SBC? A more honest name would be the Commission of Conniving Theocrats. Third, the BJC doesn't endorse candidates - either directly or indirectly. The ERLC, however, is an unabashed arm of the Republican Party and has now assumed the role of precinct captain, as well.