Southern Baptists Vote To Take Down Confederate Flags

The Southern Baptist Convention wants Christians to take down their Confederate flags.

The Nashville-based denomination took a stronger stand than what was originally proposed at the church’s annual convention being held this week in St. Louis. The initial language was more noncommittal, calling for Christians to prayerfully consider whether to limit or discontinue the display of Confederate flags.

It vaguely mentioned the “painful impact” of the flag’s symbolism, while acknowledging that — for some — it is still an emblem to honor those who died fighting for the Confederacy.

Former Southern Baptist Convention president James Merritt proposed cutting out that language and simply calling for the flags to come down, saying they’ve been a stumbling block for African-Americans.

“I rise to say all of the Confederate flags in the world are not worth one soul of any race,” Merritt said, spurring a partial standing ovation.

Merritt, who says he’s the great-great grandson of Confederate soldiers, called the vote a “seminal moment” for a denomination that was founded, in part, because of its support of slavery.