SBC Building Mosques or lies to sow division?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It is with a heavy yet loving heart that I address a matter that threatens the unity and witness of the body of Christ: the spread of false narratives that sow division among God’s people. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be a light in the world, unified in love and truth, reflecting the oneness for which our Savior prayed (John 17:21). Yet, when we allow misinformation or half-truths to take root, we risk fracturing the fellowship of believers and hindering our mission to proclaim the gospel. This rebuke is not meant to condemn but to gently correct, urging us to align our hearts and actions with the truth of God’s Word, that we may preserve “the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).

The issue of false narratives is not new to the church. In the early church, misunderstandings and accusations threatened to divide believers, as seen in the disputes over Gentile inclusion (Acts 15) or the false teachings that prompted Paul’s letters (Galatians 1:6-9). Today, we face similar challenges, amplified by the speed of modern communication. A recent example is the claim that the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) used funds to build mosques. This narrative stemmed from a misinterpretation of the SBC’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) and International Mission Board (IMB) signing an amicus brief in 2016 supporting a mosque’s construction in New Jersey on religious liberty grounds. The brief was a legal defense of the right to build a house of worship, not a financial contribution to mosque construction. Yet, sensationalized reports, including a satirical headline from The End Times falsely claiming the SBC was launching a mosque-building program, fueled confusion. This led some churches, like First Baptist Church in Morristown, Tennessee, to temporarily withhold Cooperative Program funds, believing the SBC was diverting resources inappropriately. SBC leaders, including Frank Page, clarified that no funds were used for mosque construction, and the organization’s focus remains on planting Baptist churches and spreading the gospel. This misunderstanding spread rapidly, causing distrust and division where clarity and charity could have prevailed.

Scripture warns us of the grave consequences of spreading falsehoods. Proverbs 6:16-19 declares that among the things the Lord hates are “a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” When we share unverified claims—whether through casual conversation, social media, or other platforms—we risk becoming agents of division. The tongue, James reminds us, is “a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body” (James 3:6), capable of setting ablaze great harm with careless words. Spreading false narratives, even unintentionally, violates the command to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) and undermines the unity Jesus desires for His church, that “all may be one” so the world may know Him (John 17:21).

The Bible calls us to a higher standard. We are to “test everything; hold fast to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). This requires discernment, humility, and diligence to verify information before sharing it. The ninth commandment, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16), is not merely about outright lies but also about guarding against misrepresentation that harms others’ reputations or relationships. In the case of the SBC, the false narrative painted leaders as unfaithful to their mission, leading to confusion and broken trust. Had believers heeded Proverbs 18:17—“The one who states his case first seems right, until another comes and examines him”—by seeking primary sources or engaging directly with leaders, much discord could have been avoided.

Moreover, spreading false narratives often stems from a heart condition that Scripture addresses. Gossip and slander, which fuel division, arise from pride, envy, or a desire to elevate oneself by diminishing others (Proverbs 16:28, James 4:11). Jesus teaches that what comes out of the mouth reflects what is in the heart (Matthew 15:18-19). When we share unverified stories, we may unknowingly align with the enemy, who is “the accuser of our brothers” (Revelation 12:10) and seeks to “steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). Instead, we are called to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19), ensuring our words build up rather than tear down (Ephesians 4:29).

The harm of false narratives extends beyond immediate division. They erode trust within the church, weaken our collective witness, and give ammunition to those who seek to discredit the gospel. Peter warns us to live such good lives among unbelievers that, though they may accuse us of wrongdoing, they will see our good deeds and glorify God (1 Peter 2:12). When we spread or entertain falsehoods, we risk becoming stumbling blocks to others (Matthew 18:6), hindering the very mission we are called to fulfill: to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).

So, how do we move forward? First, we must repent where we have contributed to division by spreading untruths, seeking forgiveness from God and those we’ve wronged (1 John 1:9, Matthew 5:23-24). Second, we must commit to discernment, verifying information through reliable sources and direct inquiry, as the Bereans did, examining the Scriptures daily to see if what they heard was true (Acts 17:11). Third, we must speak with love and humility, aiming to “encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Finally, we must pray for wisdom and unity, asking God to guard our hearts against deception and to knit us together in love (Colossians 3:14).

Let us be a people marked by truth and grace, reflecting Christ in all we say and do. May we reject false narratives that divide and instead pursue the truth that unites, for the glory of God and the good of His church.

In Christ’s Love,

Daniel Justice