Southern Baptist Leader Faces Backlash Over Biden Comments
- The head of a conservative Baptist organization initially faced termination after endorsing President Biden's withdrawal from re-election.
- Within 48 hours, the organization retracted the firing and reaffirmed the leader's position.
- This incident highlights internal conflicts within the Southern Baptist Convention regarding political endorsements.
In a surprising turn of events, Brent Leatherwood, the head of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, sparked controversy by praising President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. This statement, made just days before his agency announced he was fired, led to confusion and backlash within the conservative Baptist community. By Tuesday morning, the Executive Committee clarified that Leatherwood had not been dismissed and reaffirmed their support for him, despite the internal turmoil. The controversy erupted as Leatherwood's comments clashed with the growing support among Southern Baptists for former President Donald Trump. His remarks drew sharp criticism on social media, highlighting a rift within the denomination as factions vie for a more conservative stance. Leatherwood, who has been at the helm of the agency for three years, has maintained a conservative profile but has not aligned himself with the pro-Trump sentiment that has gained traction among many Baptists. Leatherwood's leadership has been marked by a commitment to traditional conservative values, including a strong opposition to abortion. However, he has resisted calls from some within the denomination to impose legal penalties on women seeking abortions. This year’s Southern Baptist Convention meeting saw a significant divide, with a pro-Trump event contrasting with Leatherwood's separate gathering featuring former Vice President Mike Pence, who has faced backlash from Trump supporters for his actions during the 2020 election certification process. As the Southern Baptist Convention navigates these internal conflicts, Leatherwood's future and the direction of the denomination remain uncertain, reflecting broader tensions within American evangelicalism.