[Mamzelle]

You can build an outhouse and call it a Baptist church. Many are independent--that was the whole point. If it was a Southern Baptist church, they could be kicked out of it. I believe there are a couple of other versions of Baptists that are semi-organized, but you can start a church and call it Baptist if you want to.

The fact that they call themselves Baptists is significant to me...I suspect a conspired effort at theatre to discredit the name of Baptist...that's why I would so love to know where their funding comes from! I suspect it's coming under the table from leftist anti-Bush wackos.

[CyberAnt]

I think your suspicion has merit.

But .. I was not aware that any "Baptist" church was on it's own. In fact, in the Assembly of GOD churches - you cannot call yourself an AOG church unless you are under the authority of the church organization. You have to apply to the organization to even establish your church.

I'm curious why this is not true for Baptists. Interesting?