Southern Baptists Consider Pulling Out of Public Schools

Early in 2004 Southern Baptists started talking about pulling kids from godless public schools, something that led to widespread criticism. The proposal was not formally considered at the June national convention, but some state-level Southern Baptist conventions are taking another look.

The Sun News:

10 state Baptist conventions - including Tennessee's - are reconsidering the idea, according to Exodus Mandate, a Columbia-based organization that advocates private, Christian and home-school education over public schools. ... The national resolution was co-authored by T.C. Pinckney, publisher of a Baptist newsletter in Alexandria, Va., and Houston attorney Bruce Shortt. They said public schools opposed Christianity and provided a "Godless" education.

I wonder if such a move would do more harm or more good. Removing Southern Baptist children from schools would mean that they would have even less contact with the wider culture, grow up in a more insulated environment, and reach adulthood with far more mistaken prejudices than they do now. On the other hand, their absence would likely mean fewer church/state problems and less proselytizing.

Read More:

• Separation of Church and State 101
• Church and State News
• Religion in Public Schools
• School Prayer
• Secularism 101