Future Bard

The New Baptist Covenant could not come at a better time.

As a twentysomething, I have known nothing but a world where my faith tradition has been defined by SBC fundamentalists.

It's hard to claim being a Baptist when your denomination is best known for boycotting Disney, questioning the sexual orientation of Teletubbies, advocating an exodus from public schools, and blindly supporting America's war machine.

The New Covenant means I no longer have to apologize for being Baptist. I can easily support an organization working to support racial unity and advocating compassionate ministry.

We need more people working to speak out and affirm Baptist principles. Silence is no longer an option if we want the gospel to remain good news.

Indeed, if we are honest, we would admit that we may have waited too long. For many of my generation, Baptist (even more so Southern Baptist) is a pejorative. Even worse, I am beginning to see similar reactions when I simply claim to be Christian.

The covenant is a promising start, but sustained action is needed.

As a writer, my work often revolves around this theme -- standing up for our values and not letting warmongering theocrats speak for my religion and my culture anymore.

What can you do?