Posted on 06/16/2017 4:52:06 AM PDT by outinyellowdogcountry
Earlier today, the Southern Baptist Convention adopted a resolution condemning the movement known as the “alt-right.”
The language of the resolution reads, in part,
WHEREAS, Racism and white supremacy are, sadly, not extinct but present all over the world in various white supremacist movements, sometimes known as “white nationalism” or “alt-right”; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, June 13–14, 2017, decry every form of racism, including alt-right white supremacy, as antithetical to the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and be it further RESOLVED, That we denounce and repudiate white supremacy and every form of racial and ethnic hatred as of the devil; and be it further RESOLVED, That we acknowledge that we still must make progress in rooting out any remaining forms of intentional or unintentional racism in our midst; and be it further RESOLVED, That we earnestly pray, both for those who advocate racist ideologies and those who are thereby deceived, that they may see their error through the light of the Gospel, repent of these hatreds, and come to know the peace and love of Christ through redeemed fellowship in the Kingdom of God, which is established from every nation, tribe, people, and language.
The resolution initially caused confusion because many Baptists—like most other Americans—are not familiar with the movement. A majority of U.S. adults (54 percent) say they have heard “nothing at all” about the “alt-right” movement, and another 28 percent have heard only “a little” about it, according to a Pew Research Center survey taken last year.
“There were a lot of people [at the SBC annual meeting] who just weren’t familiar with what the alt-right is,” said Russell Moore, a TGC Council member and president of the SBC’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. “And then there were others who assumed the alt-right was just a fringy group of people that they didn’t want to dignify by even mentioning them.”
“What I point out is just how dangerous and present the alt-right is. . . . When people recognize what it is that the alt-right believes,” Moore added, “I haven’t talked to anyone who doesn’t immediately reject that.”
Here is what every Christian should know about the alt-right: What is the alt-right?
The alt-right—short for “alternative right”—is an umbrella term for a host of disparate nationalist and populist groups associated with the white identity cause/movement. The term brings together white supremacists (e.g., neo-Nazis), religious racialists (e.g., Kinists), neo-pagans (e.g., Heathenry), internet trolls (e.g., 4chan’s /pol/), and others enamored with white identity and racialism. Where did the term “alt-right” come from?
In December 2008, Paul Gottfried wrote an article for Taki’s Magazine titled, “The Decline and Rise of the Alternative Right.” (The article itself does not use the phrase “alternative right,” and the editor of the magazine at that time, Richard Spencer, claims to have added the title.)
At the time, the “alternative right” was loosely associated with “paleoconservatives” (another term created by Gottfried). Paleocons were self-identified conservatives who rejected the neo-conservatism of the George W. Bush-era. While the group tended to be anti-globalist and anti-war (especially opposed to the Iraq War) it was not necessarily associated with white identity politics. But in his article Gottfried identified “postpaleos” as a “growing communion “that now includes Takimag, VDARE.com, and other websites that are willing to engage sensitive, timely subjects.”
The “sensitive, timely subjects” Gottfried refers to are topics that had previously been the main concern of white identity groups, issues such as non-white immigration (“being physically displaced by the entire Third World”) and “human cognitive capacities” (i.e., the belief that certain racial groups are, in general, intellectually inferior to others).
In 2010, Richard Spencer launched a website, AlternativeRight.com, to promote these views. Since then, the term has been associated with the white identity movement. Who is Richard Spencer?
Richard Spencer is a white nationalist who has become the public face of the alt-right.
Spencer, who comes from a wealthy family (his mother is a cotton heiress, and his father is an ophthalmologist), went to a Catholic parochial school before graduating from the University of Virginia (BA) and University of Chicago (MA). He pursued doctoral studies at Duke before, as he says, “dropping out to pursue a life of thought-crime.”
In the mid-2000s, Spencer worked for the paleoconservative publication The American Conservative. Spencer was fired for his extreme views and went to work for the online publication Taki’s Magazine. With funding from Taki Theodoracopulos and other wealthy donors, Spencer was able to create a career centered on his white identity politics.
Prior to 2016, few people—even white nationalists—knew who he was. But Spencer is a gifted political opportunist. During the election season of 2016 various populists, nationalists, white supremacists, and anti-PC (political correctness) groups started coalescing around the candidacy of Donald Trump. Because the alt-right existed mostly online and was populated by people too cowardly to use their own names, Spencer was able to seize the opportunity to become the public face of the alt-right.
Spencer gained a boost in recognition when Breitbart News began to openly champion the alt-right cause. In March 2016, Breitbart wrote a fawning article of the alt-right titled, “An Establishment Conservative’s Guide to the Alt-Right.” In the article Spencer is listed as an alt-right “intellectual.” A few months later, Steve Bannon, who ran Breitbart before becoming CEO of the Trump campaign, bragged that Breitbart News was the “the platform for the alt-right.” What is “white identity”?
White identity is the defining concept that unites the alt-right.
“Racial Identity,” said Arthur Kemp in March of the Titans: A History of the White Race, “can be defined as the conscious recognition that one belongs to a specific race, ethnicity, and culture and with that comes certain obligations toward their own welfare.” And the alt-right leader Jared Taylor defines “white identity” as “a recognition by whites that they have interests in common that must be defended. All other racial groups take this for granted, that it’s necessary to band together along racial lines to work together for common interests.” Is the alt-right conservative?
No. As George Hawley, a University of Alabama professor who has studied the movement, told The Washington Post, “the modal alt-right person is a male, white millennial; probably has a college degree or is in college; is secular and perhaps atheist and [is] not interested in the conservative movement at all.”
What puts the movement on the “right” is that it shares, along with conservatism, skepticism of forced egalitarianism. But that’s generally all it shares with mainstream conservatism. In fact, many on the alt-right (such as Spencer) hold views associated with progressivism (e.g., support for abortion and gay rights and opposition to free-market economics).
The confusion about the movement’s politics lies in thinking that extremist groups are on each “end” of the left-right political spectrum. It is more accurate to consider them through the lens of the horseshoe theory, a concept in political science that claims the far left and the far right, rather than being at opposite and opposing ends of a linear political continuum, closely resemble one another, much like the ends of a horseshoe. Why does the alt-right hate conservative Christians?
As many conservative Christians on social media can attest, the alt-right seems to have a particular disdain for gospel-centered Christianity. (For examples see here, here, here, and here.) Some on the alt-right (such as Vox Day) claim that Christianity is a “foundational pillar” of the movement. But what they mean by Christianity is often a heretical form (Day rejects the Trinity) a racialized version of the faith (e.g., the Kinist movement), or “religion as culture” (Spencer says he is both an atheist and a “culture Christian.”). The true religion of the alt-right is white identitarianism, which is why the SBC accurately considers it an “anti-gospel” movement. Is white identity and white nationalism the same as white supremacy?
No. The terms are often conflated, making it more difficult to challenge these ideologies.
White supremacy is the belief that lighter-skinned or “white” racial groups are superior to all other racial groups. Modern advocates of white supremacy almost always advocate for white identity, though the reverse is not always true. As alt right leader Vox Day says, “The Alt Right does not believe in the general supremacy of any race, nation, people, or sub-species. Every race, nation, people, and human sub-species has its own unique strengths and weaknesses, and possesses the sovereign right to dwell unmolested in the native culture it prefers.”
White nationalism is a political view that merges nationalism with white identity. White nationalists are racial separatists who believe that to preserve the white race, other racial groups must be excluded or marginalized in “white states” (i.e., countries or regions that have historically had majority-white populations). White nationalists are frequently concerned about miscegenation and non-white immigration because it contributes to what they consider to be “white genocide,” i.e., the replacement of the “white race” by other racial groups.
In rebutting these beliefs, Christians must be careful not to reduce them all to mere “white supremacy.” It’s natural to a want to use that term and apply it to the entirety of an evil movement. Because of the long, despicable history of white supremacy in America, that term retains considerable cultural weight. But if we imply that the problem with the movement is only the elements of racial superiority, then those on the alt-right who can effectively avoid that charge will be let off the hook.
White supremacy is certainly rampant in the movement and should be called out when it’s expressed. However, even if those in the alt-right condemn racial superiority—as many claim to do—the white nationalism and white identity aspects are still detestable and should be rejected.
To more effectively argue against the movement we need to clearly reject the racialized worldview that considers racial categories the primary markers of cultural identity. White supremacy, white nationalism, and white identity are not all the same thing, but they are all equally repugnant. How should Christians respond to the alt-right?
At the core of the alt-right movement is idolatry—the idol of “whiteness.” In building their identity on shared genetic traits the alt-right divides humanity and leads people away from the only source of true identity: Jesus Christ.
The alt-right is anti-gospel because to embrace white identity requires rejecting the Christian identity. The Christian belongs to a “chosen race” (1 Peter 2:9), the elect from every tribe and tongue (Rev. 7:9).
“The chosen race is not black or white or red or yellow or brown,” John Piper says. “The chosen race is a new people from all the peoples—all the colors and cultures—who are now aliens and strangers among in the world.”
This is why it’s impossible to truly follow Christ and be a white supremacist: How can we claim we are superior to people of other races when Jesus has chosen them? This is why it’s impossible to follow Christ and be a white nationalist: How can we claim to be sons and daughters of God while separating ourselves from our brothers and sisters? This is why it’s impossible to serve Jesus and advocate for white identity: How can your identity be found in the finished work of Jesus when you’re rooting your identity in the divisive work of Satan?
“Christians ought to reject racism, and do what they can to expose it and bring the gospel to bear upon it,” Kevin DeYoung says, “not because we love pats on the back for our moral outrage or are desperate for restored moral authority, but because we love God and submit ourselves to the authority of his Word.”
Certainly the immigrant issue is a strong one. He asserts a false biblical basis for his positions in this regard and strongly implies, if not outright asserts, that it is unchristian to disagree with him. Basically, the theme seems to be that those who disagree with him are not Christian. Yet he cannot back this up with scripture. There are other issues he has written about in the Post, and I compiled a file folder of them at the time. All it took was a simple Google search. I believe his objectives are ideological and not theological. Worldly and not spiritual. And that is certainly his right to do so but I, and obviously the vast majority of my church, want no part in it. I also note that over the last few years there have been far more Baptist churches leaving the SBC than joining it. That tells you a lot right there.
It might be better for the convention to ask churches to teach the Word of God every week. Then the people would know how to sort out good and evil on their own without being told. Personal responsibility is part of a good foundation for leading a life wisely and decently every day.
The resolution is most unfortunately worded so as to single out only one type of racsim; however no racial group is immune from indulging in racism. Racist stereotyping is objectionable and unChristian no matter who is saying or thinking it about whom.
Notice, the Left has shifted from talking about "racism", to calling "White Supremacism" is being the ultimate evil, after losing the battle to declare that "only white people can be racist", and having to face that racial hatred is more often directed AGAINST whites than FROM whites.
Thank you. Seems I missed a bunch of important stuff, again.
Black separatism and black supremacy in the form of claiming that historic facts are not what they really were and "all cultures are equal" is also a cancer on the body politic. American culture was well on its way to being a great and healing culture in the late 60s. Then the incoming refugee flood of anti-Christian marxists and atheists ruined everything. Nor are we going to be able to recover from the latest waves of suicidal anti-Christian inflltration, no matter who is president.
I’m southern baptist and I agree with that statement about Cucked Christians
This board has plenty
Bullshit
There are not A LOT OF WHITE SUPREMACISTS
in fact damn few
Do you have proof southern baptists were behind the klan
Freepers can often be so FFOS
Your assertion is that no Southern Baptists were ever in the klan?
That’s not what you said Einstein
You said this:
: T-Bone Texan
Weren’t Southern Baptists behind the Klan?
Anti-semite
Anti-Catholic
Anti-black
Anti-Republican
35 posted on 6/16/2017, 8:01:46 AM by a fool in paradise ( Mr. Comey, did you engage in or know of ANY OTHER leaks?)
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The klan was north south and west and comprised about everyone except open Catholics and Jews
Your assertion southern baptist were “behind” the klan is absurd
You put LOT in the wrong place when you somewhat quoted me, msm style. I said there are SOME white supremacists. It’s all mute anyways because the term “alt-right’ is made up and variable. I’ve got a grand nephew that would be considered alt-right but he’s not a white supremacist. However, there’s skinhead types that are included in the msm’s definition of alt-right.
Fair enough you’re right
There are not enough white supremacists to worry about
But one day whiteness will matter in what’s coming
It already does to the enemy big time
If that’s white supremacy to some I don’t care
If whites just roll over in America
Then we’re done here
Your nick is pollard so I’m gonna go on a limb and assume you’re a Jew
Imagine if Jews in Israel just gave up
White Europeans founded this country and are responsible for the vast lions share of what is considered advanced civilization and the model of self governance worldwide
Much like Jews in Israel who are for sure the civilized part of that equation
Stand down and it’s planet of the apes or hyenas or whatever in a few generations
Pollard is not necessarily a Jewish surname. My former in-laws are quite southern and Methodist, of French Huguenot ancestry. The surname I understand means chicken farmer, i.e. poullard.
Leftards of all stripes should seriously consider dialing back their lust for CW2.
What conservatives do for fun, with their own gear, on their own time.
“Insane Feral Hog Eradication Footage - 70 Hogs Down in One Night”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAfJG1PMjbY
Leftards who lust for CW should ponder that these are civilians doing this for fun on their own time with their own gear.
Hog hunting from helicopters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO_oOmvNHiw
“‘Alt-right’ simply means not part of the ‘Right’ establishment typified by Salem Media outlets like Townhall, and, unfortunately, by other outlets such as the RNC and National Review.”
And that’s what it is. The Alt-right doesn’t stick to the milquetoast, liberal-approved version of what the Right ought to be.
So Salem and these other conservative enforcers of liberalism’s rules of conduct condemn the Alt-right with the same smears that liberals have always used.
Funny how we never see these same people worried about oh, La Raza, with it’s blatantly racial focus as it goes about taking over California- look at the California state gov’t sometime.
And it’s just the largest of many groups in California that organize racially against the oppressive native white America that they have been so eager to move to. California today, your state tomorrow.
Agreed, there’s a difference between supremacist and realist. There’s POC that are smarter and more driven than me or most white people but generally and historically, that isn’t and hasn’t been the case. Simple observation shows it but a lot of people don’t want to deal with reality. Doesn’t mean I want to see the genocide of POC and I suppose that’s the difference between white supremacist and realist.
I worked with/for a black guy for two years. We hung off a 16 story building together installing a sign. We trusted each other with our lives and money.
My sister married a black guy during the height of the civil rights movement and our dad didn’t speak to her for 15 years because of it. He was Archie Bunker in the flesh and not G rated version by any means. Everyone was a GD N***, GD bearded freak etc. Meanwhile, my black brother-in-law worked his ass off, became a lineman, bought them a nice house and they did a good job at raising three girls. Still, observation shows that those guys were exceptions to the norm. (and they agree)
The left and a big chunk of non whites tend to group the everyday realists right along with the skin head types. Personally, I think the muslim thing is a big part of what drives the alt-right. Again, simple observation shows that a lot of them want us all dead. Call it survival instinct or defense mechanism. I can’t imagine what the average white boy must be going through in his mind while attending public school that tells him he’s the scourge of the earth even though he personally hasn’t done a damn thing to deserve that. Then he finds out that most of the history that they’re making claims based on is fake history. He sees current events in England, Germany, Sweden, Egypt etc. What’s a poor white boy to do?
Why can’t the left just have some patience. The way demographics are shifting due to breeding habits, we’re going to disappear at some point anyway, well, except for Russia. Maybe that’s why Russians are popular among the alt-right. I predict within the next 50-100 years, there will be a mass exodus of whites from the USA to Russia or other, similar countries of which there’s only a few.
Nope, not a Jew. It’s our surname from 300 years ago but it morphed a lot since then. Pollard is a real common English surname. The first of the surname in our line landed here in 1630 and we also have a dozen lines going back to the Mayflower passengers aka pilgrims aka Separatists. We’re from the Plymouth MA area so it’s not too surprising.
Our family church, which I lacked attendance at, was first gathered in 1632 and still gathers today. Oldest in the nation.
My sister is the genealogist in the family but I’ve helped a bit and learned quite a bit of history in doing so. It kills me to see what this country’s becoming.
I’m a Byrd. FFV and Rolfahontas descendants
Well, no. He went to St. Mark's School of Texas, a rather ritzy boarding school, not Catholic and not parochial.
I know this because of the snarky Atlantic article written by one of his classmates who accomplished the rare feat of coming out looking a lot worse than the avowed racist he was writing about.
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