James A. Smith Sr. 2004
Editorial Archive
January
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How resolved are you?
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published January 8, 2004
It’s that time of year again when, on the occasion of the
New Year, many of us resolve to amend our behavior, attempt new
things and improve personal habits. Yes, those dreaded New Year’s
resolutions.
There’s something about turning the calendar to the next
year that causes us to reflect on things we would like to change
about our lives. This is good. Personal reflection is required
for Christians who are committed to continually becoming better
followers of Christ. -
Florida: Lagging behind in the defense of human life
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published January 15, 2004
As Southern Baptist churches in Florida turn their hearts and
minds to the matter of the sanctity of human life this coming
Lord’s Day, it’s appropriate to consider where things
stand as a matter of law in the Sunshine State. How friendly or
unfriendly is Florida law when it comes to protecting the unborn
and providing pro-life alternatives to women with unplanned
pregnancies? -
Mayor Dyer and the ‘Pro-Choice’ Lobby in Orlando
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published January 29, 2004
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer recently got a lesson in the true
meaning of being "pro-choice" on abortion. It’s a
lesson worth learning for Christian citizens who defend the
sanctity of human life and wish to advocate that conviction in
the Public Square. February
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Will Florida's ban on same-sex adoptions stand?
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published February 5, 2004
Wait until the Supreme Court hears about this!
Last week, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals based in
Atlanta upheld Florida’s statute banning adoptions by
homosexuals in a unanimous 3-0 decision. The recent, seemingly
unstoppable homosexual rights juggernaut was dealt a stunning
setback in a Jan. 28, 2004, ruling that is marked by refreshing
common sense — which is one reason why the U.S. Supreme
Court is not likely to let it stand. -
A&F: ‘Together, we have made a difference’
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published February 19, 2004
- Can a company that has built its corporate identity around blatant perversity be influenced by concerned consumers to change its ways? In the case of Abercrombie & Fitch, the trendy clothier known in recent years for truly pornographic catalog, the answer seems to be a surprising, "Yes!"
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Who REALLY killed Jesus? My role and the Father’s
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published February 26, 2004
As if there hasn’t been enough ink spilled on the
subject, forgive my humble effort at engaging the cultural
phenomenon known as, "The Passion of The Christ." Mel
Gibson’s controversial film is now in theaters after months
of media attention and Christian curiosity has made the movie one
of the most anticipated works to come to the big screen in years. March
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The Marriage Amendment: A debate our culture needs
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published March 4, 2004
America’s debate about "gay marriage" reached a
new level of intensity last week when President George W. Bush
endorsed a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the
union of one man and one woman after the recent actions of judges
in Massachusetts and the mayor of San Francisco left the
president no other option. -
Protecting parental involvement in abortion
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published March 11, 2004
Florida minors cannot get body piercing, be married or be
employed on a movie set without parental consent, but a girl can
terminate a pregnancy without her parent's approval - or even
their knowledge - in the Sunshine State. -
Muslims must ensure religious freedom for all Iraqis
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published March 18, 2004
Will March 8, 2004, be remembered as the day Iraq enshrined
freedom of conscience in its constitution or will future Iraqis
look back on this day with deep remorse as a time of ephemeral
promise destroyed by Islamic rejection of authentic and vibrant
religious liberty? -
What are you sacrificing for the Gospel's sake?
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published March 25, 2004
When they awoke March 15, 2004, even in their risk-prone place
of ministry, I doubt that our five missionaries gave much thought
to the possibility that they would die that very day. But
it’s clear from various news accounts about these Southern
Baptist martyrs that all of them had resigned themselves to that
possible fate before leaving for Iraq. April
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The Pledge of Allegiance must be ‘under God’
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published April 1, 2004
Self-proclaimed atheist Michael Newdow
should thank God that he lives in America.
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Beyond ‘The Passion’ lies the ‘rest of the story’
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published April 8, 2004
This Lord's Day Christians around the world will
celebrate the glorious resurrection of Jesus. As the Scriptures
report and believers from the First Century forward have
testified, on the third day after His burial, Jesus arose from
the grave leaving behind an empty tomb. -
Florida should ban juvenile executions
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published April 22, 2004
Just as Florida Speaker Johnnie Byrd (R-Plant City) has
rightly and courageously championed putting a constitutional amendment on the
ballot requiring parental notice for minors seeking abortions, he should now
support legislation to change statutes which currently permit minors to be
subjected to execution. -
Ten reasons to oppose 'gay marriage'
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published April 29, 2004
In a remarkably short period of time, the homosexual lobby has
so successfully pressed its claims that America is now on the
verge of a massive redefinition of the most fundamental
institution of society – marriage. Catapulted by a
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling and the highly
celebrated actions of a few politicians across the nation, the
prospect of a marriage revolution has now become a central issue
in American life – and will undoubtedly be a key factor in
the 2004 presidential contest. May
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After a century of caring, Florida Baptist Children’s Homes deserves our best support
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published May 6, 2004
A few weeks ago, my parents retired from full-time Christian
work after many years of ministry and they’re moving to
Florida (of course!). Thinking about their retirement has caused
me to remember all that they have done to serve not only the
churches in which they have ministered, but also myself and their
six other children.
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The sole membership dispute: A way out for all Southern Baptists
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published May 13, 2004
It’s the closest thing to a constitutional crisis
Southern Baptists have faced in many years.
Two Southern Baptist Convention entities, the Executive
Committee and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary –
both made up of Bible-believing members and executives who are
fully committed to the SBC, including its recent theological
reformation under the “Conservative Resurgence” –
have come to starkly different conclusions on the matter of
whether “sole membership” is the best legal option to
protect Southern Baptists’ interests in one of its entities.
The result is a stalemate with both entities’ boards voting
in recent months to take completely contradictory positions with
the prospect of a messy floor debate in Indianapolis during the
annual meeting of the SBC. -
Florida Baptists: Follow our leader; feed Haitian Baptists
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published May 20, 2004
Extraordinary times call for extraordinary action – and
ministry. June
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The liberal media – and what to do about it
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published June 3, 2004
Contrary to what Dan Rather, the New York Times and
your local newspaper would have you believe, you were right all
along – America’s news media is liberal. And now there’s
indisputable evidence to prove it. -
SBC name change? Study, yes. Done deal, no.
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published June 10, 2004
“The Southern Baptist Convention is Southern like the
Roman Catholic Church is Roman.” -
The day I met Reagan, he wasn’t there
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
executive editor
Published June 17, 2004
I never met Ronald Reagan—until 4:15 a.m., Thursday, June
10, as he lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda. Our
“meeting,” a long-desired aspiration, occurred after I
waited more than four hours in line with thousands of others to
honor our 40th president. Under the circumstances, I would have
preferred never to have met him.
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Grassroots to SBC leaders: ‘Hey, don’t forget us!’
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published June 24, 2004
The annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in
Indianapolis last week provided clear evidence that there is a
growing level of restlessness among grassroots Southern Baptists
with their leaders. The good news is that at least several
leaders were paying attention – and are already taking steps
to demonstrate their concern. July
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‘Gay marriage’: The time to act is now!
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published July 1, 2004
The old saying was never truer: “It’s time to put up
or shut up.”
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Would you help us?
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published July 15, 2004
Florida Baptist Witness gives generous coverage
throughout the year to the various missions causes of Southern
Baptists in our state, around the nation and throughout the world.
We are privileged to have the opportunity to tell the story of
God’s work among us, and in doing so we hope that our
readers are better informed and motivated to make a difference
for Christ. August
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The Religious Left in Boston: Democrats get religion
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published August 5, 2004
Editor’s note: Baptist Press ran an updated version of this editorial on August 9.
God is cool again in the Democratic Party. -
Gentleness, Peace and other fruit evident in the wake of Charley
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published August 19, 2004
The Sunshine State is famous for its fruit, but it wasn’t
citrus products that were on my mind this weekend as I surveyed
the amazing destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Charley.
Reminders of a different kind of produce seemed to follow me on
my trek. September
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Finding God in the midst of suffering
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published September 9, 2004
Not again. It's almost as if our state has been marked
with a huge X. -
Disaster relief shows importance of Maguire offering
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published September 16, 2004
Don Miller is a big man. In spite of his towering, brawny
appearance, after only a few words, it's clear this big man has a
soft heart. -
Cooperation, demonstrated in relief, needed beyond Ivan
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published September 23, 2004
And then there was Ivan. October
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Haiti: Where hurricanes are especially devastating
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published October 7, 2004
“Hurricane fatigue” – there’s a lot of
this going around these days after four hurricanes have battered
Florida in just six weeks. Many of us have become far too
accustomed to checking out the National Hurricane Center’s
Web site for the latest storm’s current track, cringing at
the thought that another hurricane has our state in its
crosshairs. There’s no doubt that the Sunshine State has
seen more than its fair share of devastation this hurricane
season. Many Floridians – including many Florida Baptist
churches – have suffered greatly in the last two months. -
Will Floridians be enticed by Amendment 4?
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published October 14, 2004
Have you noticed those slick televisions ads lately selling
Amendment 4 to Floridians as a long overdue, painless and
harmless way of regulating and taxing gambling to help with
overcrowding schools and underpaid teachers? With a flush bank
account of well over $13 million, if you haven’t noticed
them yet, don’t worry—we’re going to be bombarded
with them from now until Nov. 2. -
Protect Florida’s girls: Vote YES on Amendment 1
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published October 21, 2004
Did you know that a girl in Florida may have an abortion
without the consent – or even knowledge – of her
parents? We live with this appalling state of affairs not because
legislators haven’t tried to adopt parental involvement
legislation. In fact, they have passed repeatedly such common-sense
legislation, only to be thwarted twice by the Florida Supreme
Court and once by a former governor. -
When you vote, think on these things
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published October 28, 2004
Perhaps like never before, this year’s election season
has seen heightened attention to faith voters – both on the
part of the presidential campaigns, as well as by various
organizations seeking to register and educate religious voters.
Some Christians – and many in the liberal media elite –
fret over these developments, with some even suggesting religious
voter outreach endangers church-state separation and entangles
churches in matters unrelated to their proper mission. November
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The Witness: Florida Baptists’ ‘first draft of history’
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published November 11, 2004
Journalism often has been called the “first draft of
history.” Indeed, this is an apt description of the news
media’s role as the initial chroniclers of the affairs of
society. -
Marriage statement: Just a beginning, Florida Baptists
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published November 18, 2004
Jay Dennis really knows how to stir things up! His motion
urging Florida Baptists to “lead the way” on biblical
marriage is precisely what we did last week in Jacksonville. -
Surging missions commitment?
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published November 25, 2004
What a difference a year makes! December
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LMCO update: Florida Baptists setting the pace
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published December 2, 2004
Last week in my editorial, “Surging missions commitment?”
(Nov. 25, 2004), I urged Florida Baptists to match their
increased giving to the 2003 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (LMCO)
in this year’s effort. I need to update the statistics I
used. -
Target and other Scrooges this Christmas
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published December 9, 2004
Shoppers at Target stores this Christmas season may have
noticed a certain, familiar sound missing from the hustle and
bustle of their favorite retailer. Bell ringers from the
Salvation Army with their distinctive red kettles are no longer
on the premises seeking spare change to support the organization’s
unique charitable work. But, it’s not because they don’t
want to be there. -
The reason for abstinence opposition? 'Just follow the money'
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published December 16, 2004
In the midst of a relentlessly sex-saturated culture with the
entertainment industry energetically advancing promiscuity at
every turn and the federal government lavishly spending billions
to promote “safe sex” school programs that are little
more than “how to” guides encouraging sexual
experimentation, I guess it’s too much to expect a
respectful hearing for the abstinence-only approach to sex
education in the liberal corridors of Capitol Hill.
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