Our Views: A new face in churches

In a denomination founded in 1845 by slaveholding Southerners, a new president is a marked symbol of change.

In New Orleans, the Rev. Fred Luter of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention — its first black president.

His rise in the denomination, still predominantly white, is a significant symbolic step. Only 15 years after the convention was founded, America divided over the question of slavery and fought a bloody civil war.

We congratulate Luter on his elevation.

Comments

1) Comment by Whatnow - 27/06/2012

That's right, stir up racism. It always works to benefit us all.

2) Comment by DMJ - 26/06/2012

Not BECAUSE he was black but IN SPITE of his being black. I think that was the point of mentioning race in this instance, especially considering this particular organization was founded by slaveowners....kind of like the U.S.A.

3) Comment by Whatnow - 26/06/2012

Did he get the job because he was black? Then why mention it? How many times does the Advocate mention someone getting a job because they were white or any other race? Get off the racial topic. It only demeans the mans qualifications for the job. Nothing is said about his qualifications in this article, either.

4) Comment by [e-mail] - 26/06/2012

You guys are too caught up in symbolism; you're still mired in racial political correctness and atonement. I'm sure Luter thinks he got the job because he was the best that they thought they could have in the position. Luter's accomplishments speak for him; not some racial hoo-hah.