The White House reacted today to the statement by Dr. Bailey Smith, president of the Southern Baptist Convention,” that “God Almighty does not hear the prayer of a Jew.” Smith made that remark at a gathering of fundamentalist Christians in Dallas Aug. 22.
Dr. Robert Maddox, special assistant for religious liaison on the White House staff, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, “I personally believe most Southern Baptists would disagree with the Rev. Dr. Smith. ” Maddox, on ordained Southern Baptist Minister from Calhoun. Go., who has been at the White House for the past 18 months, also said:
“President Carter has prayed with people like Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and felt a spirit of prayer and communion with them. The President believes that God hears all his children when they pray.” Maddox asked the JTA reporter if Smith’s remark had disturbed the Jewish community and observed, “It has disturbed thousands and thousands of Southern Baptists across America.”
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