Allred and other messengers avoided referring to Litton by name during time at the microphone. But Don Edwards narrowed his focus, saying, “One who is openly unrepentant of the sin of documented plagiarism serves as our national Southern Baptist Convention president. This was not an honest mistake that is simply a slip of the tongue or just carelessly forgetting to give credit where credit is due. It is a series of multiple behaviors….”
The session facilitator then interrupted, telling Edwards to “not make this personal.” As Edwards continued, he claimed that the current SBC president had violated the eighth, ninth, and tenth commandments and should “repent and…resign his leadership position.” The gist of Edwards’ argument is that truth serves as “the foundations of our unity as Southern Baptists,” and that “satanic deception is not just in the world; it’s also in the church.”
At least one messenger expressed misgivings about the heated nature of the debate. Pastor Sam Nichols told a reporter that while the resolution itself has merit, the underlying context is unsavory. “Yes, we all condemn plagiarism,” he says, “but do we have to be in the headlines to say it?”
