Baptists, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Al Gore

The "Celebration of a New Baptist Covenant" is about to happen in Atlanta (Jan. 30-Feb. 1). Is it conceivable that anything co-chaired by Jimmy Carter could unify Baptists? Why are there any politicians there at all? From Christianity Today:

As they gather to focus on issues like caring for the poor and promoting peace, the big brother in the Baptist family, the Southern Baptist Convention, is not an official participant. Top leaders of the nation's largest Protestant denomination were not involved in the planning, but Carter has told Southern Baptist president Frank Page that "everybody's invited."

Last year, Page blasted what he called the group's "smoke screen left-wing liberal agenda," even as he appreciated efforts to help "a hurting world." In a recent interview, Page said he still has concerns, but promised Carter he would pray for the meeting, which he expects some Southern Baptists to attend.

"He has assured me that it will be a positive meeting and not be a conservative-bashing meeting," Page said of Carter. "I do pray that it will be a very positive, Christ-honoring meeting."

Organizers insist the event, which has more than 30 participating organizations, will be nonpartisan, even as Carter, former President Bill Clinton, and former Vice President Al Gore are among the headliners. ....

Indeed, some Republicans will share the stage with Carter and Clinton, including Senators Lindsay Graham of South Carolina and Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who will focus on the theme of "welcoming the stranger."

Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, who pastored Southern Baptist churches in Arkansas before he entered politics, initially agreed to speak at the event but later withdrew.

Is it excessively cynical to wonder why the Republicans, Grassley and Graham, are the only two speakers featured on the webpage?

Baptists Push Unity and a Fresh Face | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction