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Black Baptist organizations condemn white liberals and conservatives as both problematic, plan to address issues of race and racism themselves

Two representatives from Black Baptist denominations pledge Tuesday to forge their own path apart from white liberals and conservatives in their plans to address social and political issues in the U.S.

Members of the Progressive National Baptist Convention (PBNC) and the National Baptist Convention USA had a press conference Tuesday at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. They discussed the upcoming midterms elections and criticized the “politics of fear” they believe are taken over this election season according to Religious News Service.

Pastors at the press conference claimed that issues of race and spirituality shouldn’t be put on the back burner as both parties are gearing up for the coming election season. PNBC President Timothy Stewart and Rev. Calvin Butts released a declaration stating “As the body of Christ, we do not serve as mere mascots of the liberal left … sent by patronizing paternalists to serve as the point on the head of their ideological spear.

The deceleration added, “Nor do we set horses with those of the religious right who hide their rampant racism and hysterical hypocrisy amidst the existential ruins of a morally and theologically bankrupt spirituality.”

An Alabama Rev. Matthew V. Johnson Sr. also condemned white liberals and conservatives for choosing sides on important issues such as abortion and LGBTQ rights while paying very little attention to race and racism. Johnson who’s the vice chair of the PBNC Social Justice Commission, said at Tuesday’s news conference how Democrats and others protesting the confirmation of now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh were “indifferent” about the nominee’s track record when it came to race issues. Johnson said it’s just one example of the “problem we have with the liberal left.”

“It’s not just about Black special interests,” Johnson told Religious News Service. “This is an issue of justice.”

Pastors at the press conference also took aim at clergy of the “religious right” including Jerry Falwell Jr., Franklin Graham and Paula White. Rev. Butts dubbed these clergy “heretics” and “hypocrites.”

At the news conference, pastors said they hoped their declaration would help get out the vote.

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