What's up with Southern Baptists?

[ltwin]

Originally Posted by JustaServant

They weren't the only denomination affected by the Civil War. I beleive the Free Methodists were created around that time for the same reasons. I believe the majority religion at that time in the South was Anglican/Episcopal.

Not Episcopal. Anglicanism/Episcopalianism has always been a minority religion in the South, mainly constituted of the planter class on the coast. The lower classes and those people further in land preferred Presbyterian and Baptist Churches. Later on, Methodism was popular.

Southern Baptists split from the Triennial Convention. Northern Baptists continued to work together in the Triennial Convention, later renamed American Baptist Churches.

The Methodist Episcopal Church split. Southern Methodists started the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. These were later reunited and today form the United Methodist Church.

Presbyterians split as well as the Episcopal Church.

[Calgar]

Originally Posted by Anna Scott

The SBC did issue resolutions against their own racist history and the KKK; but these resolutions were a long time coming.

Sadly yes. But we, like other churches, have relegated that time to the history books.

[Anna Scott]

Originally Posted by Calgar

Sadly yes. But we, like other churches, have relegated that time to the history books.

Calgar,
I know, and none of us can really look back through history and find no offense. Catholics are told about the less than pious lives of certain Popes. Anglicans are reminded of King Henry's demand for a Decree of Nullity and his break with Rome. Many faiths have violence in their pasts. We are all tragically imperfect; but then Jesus came and walked among us, died for us, was resurrected conquering sin and death. Now, we live in the hope of the Resurrection.

Peace,
Anna

[4Squarebaby]

Originally Posted by bogeydogg

Jimmy Swaggart is AOG not Southern Baptist

God Bless

It was a thread rabbit hole. When suggested that Southern Baptist where unique I made the reference to the history of the Pentecostal movement to suggest they are not. It is more a function of society in general and crosses all denominations to some extent.

[bogeydogg]

Originally Posted by 4Squarebaby

It was a thread rabbit hole. When suggested that Southern Baptist where unique I made the reference to the history of the Pentecostal movement to suggest they are not. It is more a function of society in general and crosses all denominations to some extent.

Fair enough

God Bless

[LetsTalk237]

I just like to say thanks to everyone who posted their replies on my topic. All these answers have seemed to fulfill my question. Now I don't have to wonder about it anymore.

[Anna Scott]

Originally Posted by LetsTalk237

I just like to say thanks to everyone who posted their replies on my topic. All these answers have seemed to fulfill my question. Now I don't have to wonder about it anymore.

Peace and blessings to you, LetsTalk,

Anna

[exnihilo]

Originally Posted by ltwin

Not Episcopal. Anglicanism/Episcopalianism has always been a minority religion in the South, mainly constituted of the planter class on the coast. The lower classes and those people further in land preferred Presbyterian and Baptist Churches. Later on, Methodism was popular.

If we go back to the colonial period then Anglicanism was very popular in the South. I dont know what percentage it was (I know the early censuses counted denomination members) but it was high. The Church of England was the state church under British rule. If I recall correctly in some colonies only Church of England preachers were permitted, though this may have been abandoned at some point prior to the revolution.

Anyway your general description seems to be accurate from my knowledge in that Episcopalian churchs are very common on the coast and and the oldest inland cities. In these areas the Episcopalian churches, which were Church of England, are typically the oldest church. Methodist churches are also fairly popular. Of course Methodism originally came from the English church, though I'm not aware of the details of its formation as an independent church. But the churches of the South reflect the early settlers in being mostly English and Scottish churches.

[ltwin]

Originally Posted by exnihilo

If we go back to the colonial period then Anglicanism was very popular in the South. I dont know what percentage it was (I know the early censuses counted denomination members) but it was high. The Church of England was the state church under British rule. If I recall correctly in some colonies only Church of England preachers were permitted, though this may have been abandoned at some point prior to the revolution.

Anyway your general description seems to be accurate from my knowledge in that Episcopalian churchs are very common on the coast and and the oldest inland cities. In these areas the Episcopalian churches, which were Church of England, are typically the oldest church. Methodist churches are also fairly popular. Of course Methodism originally came from the English church, though I'm not aware of the details of its formation as an independent church. But the churches of the South reflect the early settlers in being mostly English and Scottish churches.

The Church of England was the official religion, but that doesn't mean it was the majority. Also, it could be possible that the majority of people were baptized as Anglicans, but the colonists were notorious for not being active church goers. The Anglicans were at a severe disadvantage because there were no bishops in America. Meaning clergy had to come from England or prospective colonial clergy had to travel to England to be ordained. There was always a clergy shortage.

Baptists on the other hand and Presbyterians as well were much more capable of adapting to the situation in America. Anyone could be a Baptist preacher and any group of people could make up a Baptist church.

As soon as the Revolution was over, the Baptists and Presbyterians disestablished the churches. In fact, in Virginia the B's and P's were successful in disendowing the Episcopal Church of property.

I don't want to take the thread off topic. But you can message me if you'd like to continue the conversation

[mark a]

Originally Posted by LetsTalk237

Why do Black and White Southern Baptists never go to the same church?

I have asked and couple of my SB friends but they don't know the answer to the question. I'm guessing it is all about tradition, but why do they keep it like this? They should just set aside their differences and start going to the same church.

It's a southern thing.

Having said that, I've never been disrespected by Black Baptists for being Catholic as I have been by White Baptists.

[andrewstx]

Originally Posted by ltwin

Hmm, I don't know about that. To me, the Episcopal Church (which is as lily white as they come) is extremely involved in left-leaning politics; it is practically the Democratic Party at prayer these days. In addition, there are plenty of white evangelical churches involved with the religious right.

When I was Episcopal the parish was fully integrated, not "lilly white".

They were politically diverse as well, including a Republican state senator. There was a number of wealthy people there and the rich aren't exactly known for being liberal.

[Hboggs]

Originally Posted by andrewstx

When I was Episcopal the parish was fully integrated, not "lilly white".

They were politically diverse as well, including a Republican state senator. There was a number of wealthy people there and the rich aren't exactly known for being liberal.

Let me speak about my former church and people that I know and many that I consider friends. This Episcopal church has less than 5, I think actually 2, black members. Probably 80% of the individual family "bread winners" are involved in the medical or legal fields. Probably around 95% make more than $100K. Other than the black members who I don't know, I don't know a single democrat among them. They are all Republican. They don't give a damn about what is happening at the national church level. Because of many 5th and 6th generation families, there is absolutely NO theological issue that would cause them to give up their church property. Are they typical of most non-major metropolitan Epis. churches? I don't know, but IMO their political leanings leanings are.

[JustaServant]

Originally Posted by ltwin

Not Episcopal. Anglicanism/Episcopalianism has always been a minority religion in the South, mainly constituted of the planter class on the coast. The lower classes and those people further in land preferred Presbyterian and Baptist Churches. Later on, Methodism was popular.

Southern Baptists split from the Triennial Convention. Northern Baptists continued to work together in the Triennial Convention, later renamed American Baptist Churches.

The Methodist Episcopal Church split. Southern Methodists started the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. These were later reunited and today form the United Methodist Church.

Presbyterians split as well as the Episcopal Church.

I think you are correct in that the Episcopal (no insult to modern Episcopaians) church attracted the 'planter class' i.e. the upper classes, while Baptist, Presbyterian, and Methodist attracted the working poor (the people that actually fought and died in the Civil War). I believe many slaves started the AME churches because they were not allowed in the 'planter' churches at the time.
Interesting stuff.

[Calgar]

Originally Posted by mark a

It's a southern thing.

What? Southern Baptist churchs in New York are different?

[FabiusMaximus]

Most churches of any denomination are not racially "diverse." Most people prefer their own racial and ethnic groups.

Since it's done on a voluntary basis, I don't see a problem with it.

Personally, I'd be uncomfortable worshipping in a church with a majority of a different racial group. I'd feel weird and out of my element.

And I'm not ashamed to say it.