"Baptist Convention Escalates Culture Wars Amid Declining Numbers"
The Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in the US, is grappling with declining membership and increasing cultural challenges. At their recent annual meeting, attendees expressed concerns about the nation's moral decline, transgender rights, and the acceptance of women as pastors. The convention's influence in Republican politics is significant, but its power is in doubt as religious affiliation continues to fade in the US. Despite losing nearly half a million members last year, the convention has doubled down on conservative positions, rejecting churches with female pastors and condemning gender-affirming care. While some see this as a necessary clarification of Christian beliefs, others worry it will limit the reach and relevance of the denomination.