Southern Baptist voices . . . On the 25th anniversary of the conservative resurgence: On the 25th anniversary of the conservative resurgence

On the 25-year anniversary of the fundamentalist-led campaign for the "conservative resurgence called a "takeover" by moderate Baptists:

“I was not a Southern Baptist when you guys hijacked it, but I liked it so much that I joined shortly thereafter.” –Jerry Falwell, once-independent Baptist fundamentalist, who gave the opening convention prayer.

“Critics whined that the resurgence was about politics and power, but it was about saving the denomination. Without the resurgence, Southern Baptists would be debating ordaining women and whether homosexuality is an acceptable alternate lifestyle.” –Jim Richards, organizer of the reunion and executive director of Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.

On rejecting a name change for Southern Baptists:

“No matter what we change our name to, the media will let the secret out that we’re really Southern Baptists. What will we call ourselves? United Baptists? There’s an oxymoron for you.” –Ed Taylor, a “messenger,” or delegate, from Amissville, Virginia.

On a program for public school children to learn via the Internet to become "certified evangelists" (after the convention rejected a proposal urging members to take children out of public schools):

“I want to see a child, at least one child, in every class in every public school in America who is trained as a witness for Jesus Christ.” –Franklin Graham, president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, in the meeting’s closing address.

—quoted by Religion News Service