American Baptist Group Backs Oklahoma Children’s Home in Dispute Over Atheist Donation

American Baptist leaders have issued a statement of solidarity with an Oklahoma children’s home that drew national attention for refusing a donation given in honor of an atheist group.

American Baptist Home Mission Societies released a statement on Aug. 25 affirming the right of the Murrow Indian Children’s Home to “refrain from lifting up a religious view that is not aligned with its own.” Murrow is one of 16 Neighborhood Action Program Christian centers across the country supported by the domestic missions arm of American Baptist Churches USA.

The century-old home in Muskogee, Okla., cares for Native American children who have been victims of neglect or abuse. It returned a $100 gift from a donor who had designated the money in honor of the Muskogee Atheist Community, a decision that received wide coverage.

After discussing the matter with other members of the atheist group, community co-founders Matt and Keli Wilbourn started a GoFundMe account intended to increase the size of the gift to a $1,000 goal. Three days later, the couple closed the campaign after 1,268 people had donated a total of $28,280.

Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, executive director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies, criticized the Muskogee Atheist Community for “blatant bullying.” He said the group had insisted that Murrow accept a monetary gift in exchange for advertising the atheist group in printed materials, and had then threatened “to use its muscle to shame and embarrass” the Christian charity.

“Murrow has not taken a stand against anyone or any cause,” Haggray told American Baptist News Service. “They have taken a stand in favor of the religious principles that have informed and undergirded their work for more than 100 years, which include performing their acts of charity quietly.”

Susan Gillies, interim general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA, defended the children’s home against media accusations that its administrators were putting religious dogma ahead of the welfare of children. Gillies, a retired executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of Nebraska, said, “Throughout my years of service to American Baptist Churches USA, I have been moved by the ministry of Murrow and the faithful ways it brings God’s love to the most vulnerable among us, nurturing children in crisis to physical, psychological and spiritual wholeness.” She added, “Christian faith has always been the cornerstone of this important ministry.”

Source: Read the original report