"I think there is a tendency to return to more conservative thinking, and that is where most Southern Baptists have been all their lives."

"What we believe as Southern Baptists about the Bible is non-negotiable," he said.

Conservatives contend that the statement accurately reflects the beliefs of most Southern Baptists.

He said, "I encourage Southern Baptists to follow the Bible rather than the way of our culture.

He and his wife are Southern Baptists.

Christian denominations with established places of worship in the city are Southern Baptists and Methodists.

The strategy was considered risky because of Georgia's sizable population of religious conservatives, particularly Southern Baptists.

The situation is particularly acute among Southern Baptists because of how their convention works.

At this time American Baptists within the association decided to become Southern Baptists.