Unveiling the Motives: Southern Baptist Convention's Vote Reinforces White Male Dominance

By Thulani Conrad Moore, ROJ Trainer

Applying an Antiracist Analysis: 
In a recent development, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) made a decision that highlights its commitment to preserving evangelical white male dominance. By choosing to expel congregations with female pastors, the SBC has revealed a clear agenda: to consolidate and perpetuate white power through the means of white male dominance. In this blog post, we will delve deeper into this current event and analyze the underlying motives driving such actions. 

Echoes of Charlottesville:
Remembering the events of a few years ago in Charlottesville, Virginia, we witnessed a gathering of white men chanting, "You will not replace us, Jews will not replace us." This chilling display of fear reflects the broader 

sentiment among evangelical Christian white males, who perceive any challenge to their dominance as a threat to their identity and position in society.

Maintaining White Male Dominance:
Yesterday's vote by the Southern Baptist Convention unmistakably serves to maintain the status quo of evangelical white male dominance. By ousting congregations with female pastors, the convention explicitly reinforces the position of white males within their ranks. It is apparent that the desire to uphold white power lies at the core of this decision. Exactly twelve months ago, the SBC found itself entangled in a significant sex abuse scandal with roots dating back to the 1960s. The response of the SBC to the sex abuse scandal is to relegate women to a subordinate position, so to speak. Because “That's what the Bible says.”

White Power as the Purpose:
The expulsion of congregations with female pastors reveals a deliberate agenda that prioritizes white power within the SBC. This purpose is rooted in the belief that maintaining a system of white male dominance is essential to the convention's identity and perceived stability. By excluding women from pastoral leadership, they seek to preserve a hierarchy that bolsters white power and maintains the existing power structures.

White Male Dominance as the Method:
The method employed by the Southern Baptist Convention to sustain white power is none other than white male dominance. By asserting the authority of men over women in matters of pastoral leadership, the convention reinforces traditional gender roles and perpetuates the marginalization of women within their religious community. This method allows them to safeguard their positions of influence and resist any challenges to their established authority.

Finally:
It is essential to critically analyze and address the motives and methods employed by institutions like the Southern Baptist Convention. By expelling congregations with female pastors, they perpetuate a system that prioritizes white male dominance over principles of equality and justice. As we reflect on this current event, it becomes evident that challenging such structures is crucial to dismantling systems of oppression. 

As we move forward, it is crucial for us to continuously learn how to apply an antiracism analysis to events such as these effectively. Only by doing so can we enhance our capacity to interpret current events through the framework of power dynamics. Through the avenues of antiracism education and organizing, we can actively participate in conversations and initiatives that advance inclusivity, challenge and disrupt white male dominance, and cultivate a society where individuals of all genders and races can thrive. By comprehending the motives and methodologies employed by institutions like the Southern Baptist Convention, we can strive towards forging a future that is characterized by equity and justice for all.