Sons of Confederate Veterans Respond To United Methodist Resolution



Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Elm Springs, Tennessee. June 12, 2007

The following statement was released today by Christopher M. Sullivan, Commander-in-Chief,
Sons of Confederate Veterans headquartered in Elm Springs, Tennessee:

"We, of the Sons of Confederate Veterans are distressed to learn of the
passage by a divided and narrow margin, a resolution by the South Carolina United
Methodist Conference regarding the removal of flags at the South Carolina Statehouse
grounds.

“Many members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans are also members of
the Methodist Church.

“Because of their loyalty to local Methodist affiliations in localities
throughout South Carolina, they have not until now, spoken out regarding the
divisive leftward slant the church has taken in recent years.

“We are hearing their protests at the headquarters of the Sons of Confederate
Veterans, and are compelled to address their concerns.

“A large segment of the membership of the United Methodist Church in
South Carolina is made up of generations of families who proudly proclaim Confederate
veterans in their ancestry. Many of the local church cemeteries are the final
resting place for loyal church members and their families, who served the Confederacy.

“As devoted as their love and honor of their ancestors is, they do not
believe the church is the place to advance a partisan political agenda. The
course described in the controversial resolution ad­vanced by a leftist
group at the South Carolina United Methodist Conference is purely a partisan
politi­cal issue designed to actively campaign toward changing South Carolina
law regarding memorials and flags on the Statehouse grounds. These very same
type memorials and flags that are seen on an individ­ual basis in Methodist
and other church cemeteries throughout South Carolina and are also similar to
the memorials found in practically every county in South Carolina.

“It seems incongruous that this small group of liberal-minded activists
would find any pleasure in placing a cloud of hatred over the overwhelming loyal
parishioners who seek no more than the peace and love of Christian fellowship.
It is understandable why United Methodists are disenchanted and feel the church
of their fathers has deserted them. Many communicate to us their disdain for
the recent changes in direction perpetrated by a few who seem more interested
in substituting the holy gospel in favor of their own Utopian visions toward
social change."

On The Web:
http://shnv.blogspot.com/2007/06/
sons-of-confederate-veterans-respond-to.html