As a proud son of the South, I agree, there are many, many great values, virtues, and customs embedded and inherent in Southern culture that I too celebrate and appreciate.
For some, the Confederate Flag (CF) is a symbol of Southern culture that affirms and applauds a strong work ethic, personal responsibility, fierce independence, state rights, faith, family, the right to bear arms, hospitality, congeniality, sharing, and a Bible-belt, church-going assumption. However, honesty also demands that Southerners admit that the CF—at least in part—represents “a slave society and a society bent on keeping Blacks living in the Jim Crow style.”
The above quote came from a member of an SBC church who requested that I consider withdrawing or modifying the Resolution that I proposed to the SBC eliminating the CF from public life. (https://dwightmckissic.wordpress.com/2016/04/18/resolution-on-the-elimination-of-the-confederate-flag-from-public-life/). I appreciate the honesty and transparency of those who admit that the CF is complicit with racism, even while parsing out the positive aspects of Southern culture, that they maintain that the CF also represents. I feel and sense their pain and consternation, and I understand why they want to throw out the bathwater—the racist aspects of Southern culture—and keep the baby—the positive aspects of Southern culture. There are those who fly the CF high while repudiating the racist aspects of Southern culture, and simultaneously celebrating the positive aspects. My heart bleeds for those who compartmentalize in this manner and are sincere in doing so.
However, here is why the compartmentalization approach will not work. All will not agree with the illustration that I’m going to use to make my point, but it graphically explains my position. Rat poison is comprised of 90% corn meal and 10% strychnine. The corn meal is certainly not the problem. It is the strychnine that taints or poisons the whole bottle, once mixed.
To the extent that the current banner wavers of the CF intend to symbolize or celebrate the non-racist and positive aspects of Southern culture—I suggest to you that because of the racial animus also historically and currently associated with the CF, it is disqualified to fly as a symbol of Southern pride. You cannot separate the strychnine from the corn meal once mixed. At this point, you cannot separate the White Supremacy/Black Oppression values/views from the CF. It was birth in that atmosphere and to perpetuate racist causes.
Therefore, I cannot modify or withdraw my resolution. The move to remove the CF from public life is not a move toward political correctness. It is a move toward biblical righteousness (Acts 10:34, 17:26; Malachi 2:10; Revelation 5:8-9). Southern Baptists need to be viewed as continuously moving toward biblical righteousness and racial healing. This would be another—and in my judgment the most significant—step in the right direction on the subject of race.
Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr. 
June 1, 2016 at 1:15 pm
A flag is not a symbol of a “culture.” A flag is a symbol that represents the sovereignty of a country, and the authority of its government, and it flies in territory controlled by the government. The Confederacy was founded on racist beliefs which were articulated by its leaders and written into its constitution, specifically, the belief that white people were superior to black people. It’s flag symbolizes that government and those ideals.
The swastika flew over Nazi Germany, and much of occupied Europe, for twelve years, and it didn’t then, nor does it now represent German culture. The black flag that ISIS flies represents its totalitarian, and radicalized religious perspective, not the Syrian, Iraqi, or Arabic culture whose territory it dominates. Germany still exists, but it no longer flies the swastika because it doesn’t represent that ideology. Likewise, the flag of the country of Yugoslavia no longer flies, because that country no longer exists, and the ideals and philosophy that it stood for, mainly the unity of groups of people of different religions, languages and political persuasions, also no longer exist. The confederacy was defeated, and it disappeared as a nation. It’s flag should also be laid to rest. The South should be American first, and “southern” culture should be symbolized in ways that are not offensive or connected to the racism of the past.
June 1, 2016 at 8:07 pm
LS,
Your logic, facts, reasoning, and conclusion is sound. Thanks for weighing in here.
June 2, 2016 at 12:09 am
To insert a mention of anything about Nazis violates”Godwin’s Law” (yes, look it up!)
The flag of South Vietnam no longer flies, however when you travel anywhere around the world and meet a former South Vietnamese or group, that is the flag they use and hold dear. Have you ever approached them and demanded they give up their sacred flag because it failed to fit in with your narrow worldview?
June 7, 2016 at 9:19 am
Absurd LS. Positively absurd.
A “flag” represents anything the individual or collective creating the flag WANT it to represent. McKissic is a prime example in historical reverse.
Preschoolers, children, adults, tribes and collectives across the globe have always created, flown and utilized flags and banners throughout human history for a myriad of causes and motivations.
The SBC and all other religious denominations of any stripe are off their rockers for putting this rubbish spiritual front and center. I say cede the thing completely (SBC) to Dwight’s collective of choice and be done with it.
June 2, 2016 at 12:02 am
Yet, seems to me that for 2,016 years that Christians have managed to uphold the Cross “Emblem of suffering and shame” with it’s 99.44/99% strychnine and 0.0/01% ‘corn meal ‘
June 2, 2016 at 12:24 am
As a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, part of my obligations and duty is to place Confederate flags on graves of Confederate soldiers every April. If this resolution is passed, SBC churches whose cemeteries include Confederate graves will forbid this sacred honor to American Veterans.
The passing of this resolution will thus make a new category of criminals, since we will refuse to stop paying respects via proper and sacred Military honors by placing Confederate flags on graves of Confederate Veterans.
I hate that America has become so lost that American Veterans and their descendants are under threat of being denied military honors because a few are offended.
June 2, 2016 at 6:10 am
To suggest the banishment of the Confederate flag, is misled and continuing a sad purge on our history. For many, especially southerners, the flag represents the bravery of those who fought to defend their homes, independence, smaller government, and southern identity, (and I know many individuals black, white, and Hispanic who feel this way). Many leaders of the Confederacy did not mention slavery as their cause but over and over swore they were saving the Constitution by bringing it with them, out of the union. There have been times when the Confederate battle flag has been used by those with a racist agenda, and these instances have been exacerbated by a press who wants that image tied to it. This is the same movement that pushes for abortion, homosexual acceptance, and the assault on traditional families. With this in mind, I believe it would be a better stance for the SBC to instead make a statement condemning anyone using the flag for racist ends, that you reject the current movement to infuse that meaning into it, and instead support those of all races and respect the good culture of the south, which the rest of the country wishes to smear at every turn. That we are a people who have risen above great strife, including the pains of racial tension caused by reconstruction and Jim Crow, and we will not bend to the damaging popular trend to ostracize good meaning people, of any race by attacking any symbol many people hold dear with loving and honorable intentions. If more people understand this, than fewer will be offended. I display the Confederate battle flag honorably: on gravestones, at historical reenactments, and many times from my home or on my clothing as I do the cross. I know both crosses may bring offense, but those offended are either misled, or willfully disdainful as Jesus did say, “You are not of this world so there for the world will hate you.”
June 2, 2016 at 6:27 am
Before you get so self righteous in your attack on the Confederate Flag, perhaps you ought to get your own house in order first. Baylor comes to mind right off. Then, after you clean up that scandal, perhaps you can figure out why your membership numbers are skewed and baptisms are down in so many of the convention churches. Seems you have a few things you ought to do before you attack the Confederate Flag or is that just easier?
June 2, 2016 at 8:07 am
My first question would be which “Confederate flag” are you proposing? There is the Stars and Bars, 2nd National, 3rd National, and battle flag plus a variety of state flags. The latter one some have a clear reflection of the past while others don’t — including at least one that few over an independent republic for a few months.
June 2, 2016 at 8:12 am
Its because of folks like you that I am no longer a Southern baptist. You don’t believe in rights of men just your skewed view of what you think is right and wrong. You insult millions of Southerners by comparing their families to poison. You sir have no honor.
June 2, 2016 at 8:33 am
Mr. McKissic you state that “honesty also demands that Southerners admit that the CF—at least in part—represents ‘a slave society and a society bent on keeping Blacks living in the Jim Crow style.’”
I think intelligent folks know that the Confederate Battleflag was hijacked by certain groups that are hateful and racist. I am one fighting to restore the historical meaning predating that period. While I recognize it, doesn’t mean we can’t understand the full history of it and that it has a further back meaning (in fact many symbols do change over time and change back over time). I think some blame falls on letting that happen to groups that should have been defending it. (As a brief aside, many of the same groups, notably the KKK, also use the United States flag too and often even more than the Confederate Battleflag). That said though, your wording implies that the “society bent on keeping Blacks living in the Jim Crow style” was in the South. Please review these Jim Crow law samples (while many sources are better, a quick one stop is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Jim_Crow_law_examples_by_state). The date range is the date laws were passed and presumed in effect until struck down by the courts or rescinded with future laws not mentioned in the source. Maryland (Union state) 1904 railroad related; Montana (not even a state in the war) 1871 to 1921 a variety of laws, Nebraska (Union territory), 1865-1943 marriage laws; Nevada (territory in war), 1865-1957; New Mexico, school segregation; North Dakota, Ohio (Union) 1877-1953 relating schools, adoptions; Oklahoma (territory) 1903-1937; I think we’re getting the picture but just list a few more Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island (1872), South Dakota, Utah, Washington state, Wyoming, West Virginia (even the Jim Crow constitutional clause from 1873 (a constitution written by Unionists) was in effect until the courts ruled against it in 1967). Some of these even had more on their lists than some Southern/former Confederate states. So it wasn’t a “Southern thing” for Jim Crow laws, it was a NATIONAL period. Placing blame on such laws on the Confederate flag is not only wrong but clearly false. So honesty tells me that no, there is no need to admit that it represents keeping Blacks in Jim Crow style laws, only that we should be honest it is a flag soldiers fought under to defend their land, homes, and their concept of the Constitution that was stolen by ones who would misuse it. Were there Confederates fighting for slaves – sure a few but there were also many when the war turned to freeing the slaves in the Union army that were prepared to leave and go home as they didn’t want to fight to free slaves.
June 2, 2016 at 11:59 am
From Alexander Stephens, Vice-president of the confederacy:
“Our new government is founded… upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition. This, our new government, is the first, in the history of the world, based upon this great physical, philosophical, and moral truth.”
Regardless of whatever else you think the confederate flag might stand for, it certainly does stand for this. You can’t separate that from what it might otherwise represent.
I could care less about “Godwin’s law,” though it deals with false comparisons, and doesn’t apply to mine.
Baylor isn’t part of the Southern Baptist Convention. It’s board of trustees declared itself self-perpetuating a number of years ago, and it receives no funding from the Cooperative Program. It may still have some fraternal ties to the Baptist convention in Texas, but it is not the SBC’s mess to clean up. And as far as the number of baptisms being down in SBC churches, that’s not a unique problem just experienced by Southern Baptists these days. If you get some real numbers and honest statistics, all of conservative, Evangelical Christianity is seeing a decline in baptisms, church membership and attendance. Maybe you could solve that problem yourself, and then write a book and retire.
June 4, 2016 at 11:10 am
L S, you are incorrect sir. Baylor University is a part of the BGCT. If you do not believe me, then you can check it out your self:
http://www.sbc.net/colleges/
Click on the ‘Texas’ tab. They may not be accepting Cooperative Program funding, but they are still very much affiliated with Southern Baptists.
June 4, 2016 at 11:19 am
And LS, on a further note, Baylor still does get funding from the BGCT. Baylor was suppose to get over $350,000 from them during 2016:
http://www.bpnews.net/46301/baylors-sexual-assault-response-draws-protest
You can argue against Mark Sweat in many different ways, but arguing the point that “Baylor isn’t part of the Southern Baptist Convention” is false.
June 4, 2016 at 8:07 pm
The BGCT is an independent, autonomous state convention that voluntarily cooperates with the SBC. The two organizations are separate, independent and autonomous. Baylor is not affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention in any way, shape, or form. Its relationship with the Baptist General Convention of Texas is not an “affiliation,” as much as it is a fraternal relationship, in that its board of trustees is self-perpetuating, and not exclusively Baptist, or Texas Baptist. Nor is Baylor “affiliated” with the BGCT in the same way that its other colleges and universities are indeed “affiliated,” and beneficiaries of Cooperative Program dollars. And that’s not just a “technicality.” If you are a member of a Southern Baptist church in Mississippi, Alabama, or New Mexico, or even in Texas if you belong to the SBTC instead of the BGCT, you do not have any connection to Baylor University.
June 6, 2016 at 8:38 am
So you are telling me that the BGCT gives $350,000 to Baylor and they are not even affiliated with them?! Wow… No wonder so many people have issues with the BGCT. Theological differences aside, I can see some major stewardship issues as well. Suddenly, some things are becoming much more clear. And the SBC needs to remove Baylor from their main website, or make it clear that Baylor is not affiliated with them. One of my issues in supporting the SBC was my belief – even though wrong – that they were affiliated with Baylor. I do not know who you are – or even if you are a Baptist – but thanks for sharing that with me.
June 7, 2016 at 9:50 pm
Baylor receives no cooperative program support from the Southern Baptist Convention at all. None. It is not, nor has it ever been affiliated with the SBC. Until recently, the Southern Baptist Convention did not operate any undergraduate educational institutions, but now several of the seminaries have Bible colleges. But Baylor was, at one time, owned and operated by the Baptist General Convention of Texas. If you understand Baptist polity, you know that while the BGCT does participate in a cooperative relationship with the SBC, but it is autonomous and independent, as are its institutions and agencies, like Baylor. But Baylor’s trustees have been “self-perpetuating” for quite a while now, and I’m not sure whether the convention is able to elect any of them any more. You can also be Methodist, Presbyterian or Hottentot, and be on the Baylor board of trustees. Most of the money that the BGCT gives to Baylor goes to scholarships for students who come from Texas Baptist churches, to attend either the university, or Truett Seminary. But Southern Baptists in Texas no longer have any control over Baylor University. Kenneth Starr, its president, was a member of a Church of Christ before he went there, and I think the football coach, Art Briles, was as well.
June 8, 2016 at 1:44 pm
Fip side to that coin…Alexander Stephens simply voiced what a large number of folks both north and south of the Mason Dixon believed at the time.
June 2, 2016 at 12:14 pm
The political cleansing of America with revisionist history, banning historical flags from every building, park & cemetery, tearing down historic monuments which were privately funded, banning heritage days/months, is being watched by Europeans & they are shaking their heads in disbelief – particularly those countries who were under Communist tyranny until 1989. I recently returned from touring Romania, Bulgaria & Serbia (former Yugoslavia). Our Romanian tour director & a local Serbian tour guide both stated how stupid, how insane, PC Americans are & how shocking it is that a small minority of haters have been able to take over & dictate what America should or should not appreciate & honor. They see so many similarities to the encroachment of Communism into their countries after WWII & the PC agenda in America. They define it as Socialism….I define it as Socialism. The Southern Baptist Church used to fight Socialism, but that was in the days of Dr. Robert G. Lee. During the hippie era of the 1960s, the Southern Baptist attempted to “be hip” in order to attract teens to church….it did not work & all it did was drive those of us who were younger than the hippie generation & conservative away from the Baptist Church. Socialists want to drive a wedge between the races & they get ample training in the Northern universities for this, in order to come back to the South armed to divided & conquer….that’s how it worked in Eastern Europe. Much of Eastern Europe’s ancient monuments were destroyed by the Communist & replaced by statues to the Communist politicos. Communism didn’t work, their leaders overthrown & expelled or killed, & in 1989 the Eastern Europeans began taking back their countries from the invaders. The South also fought their invaders, carpetbaggers & scalawags..only a 129-year difference in the two historical events. Just like the Eastern Europeans, we know the enemy.
June 2, 2016 at 12:54 pm
If this resolution passes, the SBC will never get another dime of mine. No offerings, no support for fund raises and no attendance. Period. There is no need to argue any point here because there are those who will never seek the truth in history. I could quote verse after verse from the Bible saying why this resolution should not pass. I could give many historical examples of why the South was right in seeding from a tyrannical government. But, it is all to no avail for those steeped in complete ignorance of historical and biblical fact. That same tyrannical government has done an excellent job of brain washing public opinion and because of that we are heading headlong into one world order, one world religion, one world government, faster than ever and Satan is smiling as his plan unfolds.
June 2, 2016 at 2:55 pm
I will leave the Convention if this is pursued, and I have been in SBC churches FROM A BED BABY! I will withdraw not just my ‘letter’ but my money as well and that includes Lottie Moon, Annie Armstrong and any other special offerings.
I am the Daughter of some 34 Confederate veterans and the niece of some 120. NONE OF WHICH HAD SLAVES. HOW DARE YOU DISHONOR MY FATHERS!!!???? These HONORABLE men fought because the South was ILLEGALLY invaded! Some 95% of Southerners did NOT have servants. These men answered the call of their states to defend them from ILLEGAL INVASION! It is not their fault that lies of the victor have been told and taught as truth for the past 150 years! For a denomination that likes to call itself ‘walking in truth’ you should be ashamed of yourselves that this is even thought of! I AM ASHAMED OF YOU!
Confederate veterans were declared AMERICAN VETERANS by an act of Congress in 1958. The St Andrews Cross is a CHRISTIAN symbol and was the soldier’s flag and never a flag of the Confederate government even though the design was incorporated in the 2nd and 3rd National. NO Confederate flag of any kind ever flew over ANY slave ship WHICH ALL CAME OUT OF THE NORTH (Marblehead, MA to name one.)
I ask you, as a lifelong member to get your copy of the Living God’s Word and read 3rd John verses 3-4. And while you’re at it, LEAVE OUR NAME ALONE AS WELL!!!
June 2, 2016 at 4:00 pm
Little historical fact: Lottie Moon was a Confederate spy. I wonder if this passes if the SBC will change the name of that charity…
June 2, 2016 at 4:33 pm
Stephanie,
Wow!!! Always intuitively rejected somethings ’bout her. Now I know why.
June 4, 2016 at 8:14 pm
The South was “invaded” illegally? Nice spin there, but not a fact. The South seceded illegally and unconstitutionally, and its leaders committed treason by doing so. Read the statement I posted that was authored by the Confederacy’s own vice-president. The South was founded upon the idea that the negro was inferior to the white, and as a result, deserved to be enslaved. That’s the whole bottom line, and they hid behind the “states rights” issue to justify secession. You can’t get around that.
Granted, there’s been a lot of racism and prejudice in the United States since its founding, including laws which counted slaves as two thirds of a person, and laws and practices which decimated native Americans. But the big difference is a recognition of those facts, and repudiation of them with a genuine effort to change. The Confederacy did no such thing.
June 5, 2016 at 7:20 am
You said “The South was founded upon the idea that the negro was inferior to the white, and as a result, deserved to be enslaved” So was the United States so what is your point? Show me proof that the Union invaded the South to free the slaves. They did not just read the letters from union soldiers and you will learn the truth or look to that demon Lincoln and his words.
June 7, 2016 at 9:54 pm
The United States was founded on the principle that all men are created equal. In addressing the issue of their belief in the inferiority, and necessary enslavement of Negroes, Alexander Stephens and confederate leaders cited this statement from the Declaration of Independence, and declared their disagreement with it in no uncertain terms.
Yes, there was slavery, and there was racial prejudice among the founding fathers, many of whom owned slaves. But the difference is that they never built their republic on that ideal, nor advocated for the use of states’ rights to affirm slavery.
June 2, 2016 at 7:01 pm
Mr McKissic, it seems obvious, from reading your comments and replies, that as far as you are concerned, the Southern Baptists are all about rejecting things and people. Wonder if you think Jesus Christ had this attitude, or are you all just making it up as you go along?
June 4, 2016 at 8:17 pm
Would Jesus have said, or approved, of this?
“Our new government is founded… upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition. This, our new government, is the first, in the history of the world, based upon this great physical, philosophical, and moral truth.” Alexander Stephens, Vice President, Confederate States of America.
June 2, 2016 at 7:14 pm
It is sad to see people, obviously of faith, who accept the lies of Satan so easily. They attack the Confederate flag, yet not the United States flag! You cannot separate the facts that the United States flag is more associated with racism and slavery than the Confederate flag. You need an education. I’d be happy to help out in any way I can. Please feel free to contact me. But until you repent and seek the truth, your ignorance is blaring like a stuck car horn.
June 4, 2016 at 10:08 pm
[…] An Arlington, Texas pastor, Dr. Dwight McKissic, is proposing a resolution for the SBC to consider at its 2016 annual meeting that would put the denomination on record as being opposed to the use of the confederate flag in public life. Dr. McKissic states that his proposal is “not a move toward political correctness”, but is, rather, ” a move toward biblical righteousness.” (https://dwightmckissic.wordpress.com/2016/06/01/response-to-requests-to-withdraw-the-confederate-fla…😉 […]
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