Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial

Rashional Thoughts: Why villainize each other in the fight against the ultimate villain?

  • July 4, 2022
  • Jennifer Davis Rash
  • Editorials by Jennifer Rash, Opinion, Rashional Thoughts
(Canva photo)

Rashional Thoughts: Why villainize each other in the fight against the ultimate villain?

My friend joked on social media about how she had become the person she typically judges on planes — the one who brings the overstuffed bag that takes up an excessive amount of room.

Her recent trip requiring the massive carry-on was likely a rare occurrence, but her witty admission reminded me of how we all can fall prey to criticizing others about situations we don’t understand or haven’t experienced.

It might be related to families or communities and could involve how decisions are made or why a person thinks, acts or lives in a certain way.

Sometimes it’s about things a person can control; sometimes it’s not.

And unfortunately we also find it happening as a way to earn someone’s trust or support.

Consider the motive

For many, publicly and loudly criticizing others for pretty much anything and everything has become the go-to style of marketing an agenda.

We are watching it play out as negative reports are being spread about the motives of those seeking to save the lives of unborn children.

The attempt to villainize pro-life advocates instills fear and misunderstanding in those who see abortion differently.

Of course, we know the goal of pro-lifers is to protect and value life — which includes striving to ensure the mother and father are educated, equipped and resourced to give their baby a fighting chance to become the person God intends. It also means valuing all life (read more from Tony Evans here).

But with skewed messaging, the pro-life efforts can be misinterpreted, preventing many from finding their way to the caring arms of those who want to show the parents a life-giving, sustainable path forward.

At the same time, it has been encouraging to watch those leading in the fight for life model humble and respectful communication efforts, especially following the June 24 historic and long-awaited decision by the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.

As people of faith across the nation, we know it’s our time to shine. We are built for missions and ministries and helping the hurting, so expanding our efforts with pregnancy centers, foster care ministries and adoption efforts will be an automatic response (read more about life after Roe here).

Still, the work won’t be easy. Along with the energy it will take to change the conversation and help those in crisis realize the hope and help available, we also must work beyond the immediate and find ways to decrease the number finding themselves in crisis in the first place.

How do we do this exactly? I don’t know, but I’m hopeful we will dig in deeper and commit to finding solutions and making a difference.

Working together will be vital and that sometimes gets sticky when we have disagreements within our own family of faith.

I can be a bit idealistic at times and sometimes have to concede to the reality of a situation, but I’m not ready to give up on Southern Baptists.

I believe the majority of Southern Baptists are kind, loving, grace-filled, thoughtful, concerned, dedicated followers of Christ.

I’m confident the majority of us are passionate about our faith and committed to growing closer to Christ daily.

At the same time, some voices (on all sides) are a bit louder than others and, in some cases, are taking their passion to a level that borders on an ends-justifies-the-means mentality.

Some also paint those who disagree with them as evil, even those within the faith family.

Focused on the mission

I saw some of this play out during the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Anaheim in June when varying groups shared the heart of their mission, which in all cases boiled down to loving and serving God and winning people to Christ.

Those speaking all indicated a desire to maintain a sound theological foundation. However, the way the various groups want to go about their Christian service differs and has the potential to cause increased division if we allow it.

Is it possible all of us in Southern Baptist life love God, believe the Bible and want to share Christ with those who don’t know Him?

Is it possible to work together and remain a unified body even if our individual passions and ministry focuses differ?

The world around us is desperate for hope and help — and we have the answer. Staying focused on the mission is the key.

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Longtime NOBTS registrar Paul Gregoire dies
    Longtime NOBTS registrar Paul Gregoire dies
    March 23, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Endangered youth: When parents fail their children
    Endangered youth: When parents fail their children
    March 23, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Former SWBTS professor of missions Samuel Shahid dies at 87
    Former SWBTS professor of missions Samuel Shahid dies at 87
    March 22, 2023/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

white concrete church near green trees under blue sky and white clouds during daytime

First Person: The beauty of country churches

I was reared in a good ole country church called Six Mile Baptist. You have seen churches just like it: gravel driveway and parking lot,

Rashional Thoughts: Trickle-down effect of better listening skills might surprise us

I’ve been evaluating my verbal communication style lately. What I think I’m saying seems to get lost between my mouth and the other person’s ears.

First Person: Why is face-to-face evangelism more difficult these days?

I could list all kinds of reasons why evangelism is difficult. It can be frightening to try to speak truth into someone else’s life. We

First Person: 10 reasons camp matters for your church

Camp is a mountain top experience, a real spiritual marker in the lives of many campers who attend. Here’s what group leaders and campers have

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2023 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel