The Longview News Journal reported in Saturday's Religion Section that Hyde Park Baptist Church of Austin, Texas canceled an event planned by the Austin Area Religious Ministries to be held at Hyde Park's sports campus at the Quarries. The annual Thanksgiving event was to include Jews, Muslims, Christians, Bahais and others.
Kent Jennings, associate pastor of administration at Hyde Park, said in a statement that church leaders didn't realize the nature of the event until Monday when they received a postcard describing it. "The postcard promised space for Muslim Maghrib prayer and revealed that the event was co-hosted by the Central Texas Muslimaat, the Forum for Muslims for Unity, the Institute of Interfaith Dialog" according to Hyde Park's statement.
"Although individuals from all faiths are welcome to worship with us at Hyde Park the church cannot provide space for the practice of these non-Christian religions on church property. Hyde Park hopes that the AAIM and the community of faith will understand and be tolerant of our church's beliefs that have resulted in this decision." (from the Longview News Journal)
I know this was a difficult decision for the Hyde Park staff and probably many of the people of Austin will criticize rather than applaud their decision but I would have to agree with the staff at Hyde Park. Allowing some faith that proclaims a false god to use church facilities would be a poor decision.
The reason this article caught my attention is that we have two former members of the First Baptist Family, Ashley and Alyssa, who are now members at Hyde Park. Both young ladies attend the University of Texas and have been very involved in several ministries at Hyde Park Baptist Church. I am so proud of these ladies. Even though the rigors of college studies must consume a lot of their time they still find time to serve in the ministries of a local church. I am delighted to find out that the church in which they serve is a congregation led by a staff with some firm convictions. Taking a stand is not always popular.
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