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"ABC 20/20 Report Slams Independent Baptists"
By the EDITOR
Independent Baptists are not perfect people, and our churches are not perfect churches; but when there is a cause for criticism, we would hope that, whatever the complaint, the critic would deal with it in a fair and honest way. It is especially important, when the media get involved, that the issues are dealt with factually. When a newspaper or a television network reports a story in such a way that they become the story, then you know that something has gone wrong.
When ABC Network aired their 20/20 report on April 8, they picked up a couple of isolated stories and proceeded to tear into all independent Baptists as though everyone so identified is a scoundrel and involved in a cult.
Elizabeth Vargas, the network reporter, seemed intent on smearing all independent, fundamental Baptists. Perhaps we misread her intentions, but I don't think so.
Thirteen years ago, while Dr. Chuck Phelps [no close relation to Fred Phelps, pastor of Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas] was pastor of a New Hampshire church, a man who was an active member of the church was accused of a sexual crime.
In a telephone interview with the SWORD OF THE LORD, Dr. Phelps, who is now a pastor in Indianapolis, Indiana, told us:
When this happened thirteen years ago, I called the police and notified other appropriate authorities. I was told to sit tight an dlet them handle it. The did not deal with it immediately. When there are unproven charges against someone, you had better be careful what you say and do, lest you get sued for slander and defamation.
Dr. Phelps has set up a web site (drchuckphelps.org) on which he has provided full disclosure of the matter. He said to us, "We did the best we could do; there was no cover-up."
He also indicated that he gave all this same documentation to the ABC reporter, but she chose to side with a few folks who are angry at him and at the church.
The Vargas report went so far as to accuse independent fundamental Baptist (IFB) churches of providing an authoritative climate that promotes the abuse of women and children.
She spoke in a demeaning way about dress standards, beliefs about loyalty to a church and a strict, literal interpretation of the Bible.
Apparently it is okay with the reporter and her network if they are authoritative in their reporting.
Apparently it is deemed just and fair to take some incidents of sexual abuse (which all of us would condemn loudly) and demonize every IFB church in the country.
In response to the bashing that the ABC report gave, Dr. Jeff Amsbaugh (pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Columbia, Georgia) wrote:
1. Independent Baptists by definition are "independent." There is no network, and many independent Baptist camps and colleges shy away from other independent Baptist camps and colleges. In the 20/20 episode, those of the Hyles camp of fundamentalism were linked with those in the Bob Jones network. Yet, these two streams of independent Baptists would rarely endorse each other. Therefore, to imply, as ABC did, that all camps of independent Baptists are in cahoots with one another and networked into some type of cultic structure is simply not true.
2. To the degree that ABC was accurate in its reporting any cover-up of sexual misconduct by Baptist ministers and churches, it should be applauded. Those who are guilty of sexual misconduct and those who cover up such deviancy should be exposed, even if they are members of our movement - indeed, especially because they are members of our movement. We should not allow the deviants within our movement to define us. The must be exposed in order that the reputation of the movement may remain above reproach.
3. To the degree that ABC was inaccurate in its reporting and blindly accepted the word of disgruntled church members without investigating the veracity of the accusations, it should be condemned. Proper journalism demands hearing both sides of the matter before rushing to meet a broadcast deadline. If ABC improperly slandered any godly minister or ministry, it should be held accountable.
Another definitive report has been written by Dr. Charles L. Surrett. Dr. Surrett is the academic dean of Ambassador Baptist College (Lattimore, North Carolina) and pastor of Emmanuel Independent Baptist Church (Kings Mountain, North Carolina).
On Friday, April 8, 2011, the ABC television network broadcast, on their weekly 20/20 program, a journalistic view of independent fundamental Baptist churches. The conclusion they were trying to reach is that the doctrines of IFB churches lead to physical and sexual abuse and that such churches should be considered to constitute a cult.
As a college-level teacher of logic, I noted several ways that the fundamental rules of Aristotelian logic were broken by the network and the hostess..., Elizabeth Vargas.
One such rule is that "evidence should be presented as failry and completely as possible." The fallacy which breaks that rule is called "special pleading," which is intentionally presenting favorable evidence to one's case, while at the same time purposely omitting unfavorable evidence. It is commonly practiced in courtrooms, where attorneys for one side of the argument present only that evidence which is favorable and attempt to suppress evidence that is unfavorable. This is acceptable in the courtroom, because the whole truth should come out, if both sides do their jobs properly.
However, when ABC's case was presented, it was totally one-sided, with a great deal of evidence that did not favor their argument being completely ignored. This may be sensational journalism, but it is not fair to present our nation with such a slanted view of those who call themselves independent fundamental Baptists. It is neither fair to the IFB churches and constituents nor fair to the general public....
[T]he current concept of the term "cult"...should be examined to see if IFB churches qualify. There is no "living leader," except for the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and IFB churches could hardly be blamed for following Him! Since these churches follow a Bible that is ancient, their doctrines cannot be called "new" or "strange and mysterious." They do not live in communes, nor do they require people to contribute all their possessions. Their "exclusive religious truth" is not of their own subjective invention but is extended to all who will accept the Bible as authoritative. Although there are some that demand more from their members than do others, it is not even close to the truth to assert that all IFB churches "command absolute obedience." Each individual local church should be judged upon its own merits. Therefore, since IFB churches do not have any of the characteristics of a cult, it is dishonest and unfair to label them as such.
ABC seemed content, rather than using any clear standards for defining a cult, to allow a small group of people in a room to verbalize that they think IFB churches constitute a cult. Without any real evidence, then, the assessment of an extremely small minority is taken as an indictment against hundreds of thousands of people. Merely stating that some think IFB is a cult does not make it so! But then, that is another fallacy, called "begging the question."
Dr. Surrett's essay is produced in full on the web site of Dr. Phelps.
Let's Set the Record Clear and Straight!
1. IFB churches are not given to the abuse of women and children. To the contrary, we preach and promote their full avalue and worth. We want them to be treated like royalty. If someone is being abused, no one in IFB circles would tolerate it.
2. IFB churches are full of law-abiding, God-fearing, patriotic citizens. We love our country. We salute our leaders, and we obey the law.
3. IFB churches are Bible-believing churches. Criticize us if you please, but, yes, we make a big place for the Bible and its teachings.
4. IFB churches do have a strong leadership structure, as does the ABC television network for whom Ms. Vargas works. Does she have people in charge of her department? I suspect she does.
5. IFB churches are not perfect! The pastors and the people are human (like TV reporters). Humans sometimes make mistakes or misjudgments. What may seem at the time to be good judgment may not look so sharp later on.
Our churches are not perfect, but we do not tolerate evil, even if someone in our leadership does it.
6. Accusations against others must always be handled with care. There are cases (lots of them), where accusations were falsely made by someone with a grievance or an agenda.
What may appear to be just accusation on the surface may prove to be totally false after an investigation has been done.
7. Legal counsel should be sought immediately when any such issues arise. Pastors and churches can turn to Christian legal groups for coaching. Groups like Lighthouse Legal Ministries, Christian Law Association, the Rutherford Institute, Liberty Counsel, the Alliance Defense Fund and others are available.
8. Preachers, including some IFB men, do sometimes make foolhardy statements. Some of the cutesy statements that are thought to be humorous in a friendly crowd may not seem so funny on YouTube or on a network expose.
Having a loose tongue when teaching or preaching can bring trouble to your doorstep.
If you are prone to pop off in the pulpit you may be setting yourself up for heartache and creating an embarrassment for the rest of us too.
But a preacher here or there who says something foolish does not constitute cause for a blanket indictment of the entire IFB movement.
9. IFB pastors and churches will report sexual abuse and other criminal matters. We do not claim special privilege when there is a crime or the accusation of a crime. We will call the local authorities when there is cause for concern.
We will not enable predators or perpetrators. We will neither shield them nor defend them.
A zero-tolerance policy is the mindset we have on such things.
10. IFB churches are not a new way of having church. We are Baptist in the historic sense of the word.
The fact that we do not have a headquarters and a hierarchy does not disenfranchise us and strip us of our legal rights.
11. IFB churches are given to fellowship that is characterized by loving, caring and compassionate interchange with each other. You'll not find any place on the planet where everybody is treated with more respect than at an IFB church.
12. IFB churches are not located in compounds behind high walls and locked gates. Everyone comes voluntarily, and everyone can leave voluntarily. There is no coercion of anybody.
Of course, we don't want you to leave. We love you, and we like having you with us. But should you decide to leave there are no bars on the windows.
Because we care about you, we will try to talk you into staying. But if you want to leave, the door is always ajar. You can leave if you choose to do so. Anyone who suggests anything to the contrary just doesn't have a grasp of reality!
Conclusions
We believe Dr. Phelps and the church in New Hampshire got a raw deal from ABC News.
We know for sure that the blanket condemnation of all IFB churches was a piece of very "yellow journalism."
We pray for any and all who may have had a crime or other abuse committed against them. People who commit such acts should be in jail. Churches should be especially supportive for victims or alleged victims.
We pray for the ABC network and its reporter, Elizabeth Vargas. They have erred on this, but we can pray they will yet tell the real story of IFB churches.
We understand that in these days we are apt to be thrown under the bus by media and others. It hurts, but we will not quit. We are saddened by such biased reporting, but we will not lose heart. We will press on!
