Who art thou that judgest another?

Jas 4:12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

Baptist. What a wonderful name, expressing history, heritage, principle and integrity. Too bad people like the Kansas Westboro hatemongers drag that blessed moniker through the mud of their misdeeds.

Independent. Simple, expressive. Meant to imply congregational polity, no denominational interference, the Bible as the final authority.

Fundamental. Here we have a problem in these latter years. The distinction has been hijacked by some real bumpkins; non-Christian, uneducated and willingly ignorant is the mental picture most have inferred from the typical fundamentalist. The delineation has come to mean...well, mean. The fightin' fundamentalist wing of conservative Baptists have seemed to take upon themselves the role of judge, jury and executioner in all things religious and life-style.

I praise God that IFBs were never given the opportunity to rule a state or country. Seriously, they would make Rome look like cuddly kittens and the Inquisition like a picnic. Had the fightin' fundys ever been "the man," life under their iron fist would make Communist China seem an appealing place to live.

I could sure name names and tell stories from the inside, but I won't. That's their tactic. I certainly have my doubts as to whether any or many of them will make it to the pearly gates, but who am I to judge? There is one Lawgiver, and though I am an Independent Fundamental (sans the 'tude) Baptist, that Lawgiver 'taint me!