“Liar, liar, pants on fire” were the first words that came to mind when reading the Georgia Baptist Convention press releases about The Christian Index that were distributed through Baptist Press and printed in the newspaper’s Jan. 30 issue.

Georgia Baptists should be insulted that current GBC leaders think they are naïve or dumb enough to fall for such obvious misinformation. Note just two of the more obvious inconsistencies.

First, the article reported that the board accepted editor Bill Neal’s “request” for early retirement effective Jan. 31. Yet the issue is dated Jan. 30 with no parting editorial. Wouldn’t a retiring editor want to say “good-bye” to his readers?

Second, one article praises Bill for his contributions while the other has Becky Watters and other brilliant board members condemning the newspaper for carrying, of all things, NEWS.

Those who like being duped, and prefer “Georgia-centric, soul-winning” articles over news coverage, will want to continue reading the Index. However, I would invite those who prefer honest, forthright reporting and open dialogue about important issues to subscribe to Baptists Today.

We think our readers are smart enough to handle the truth and to thoughtfully consider a variety of perspectives on important issues facing the church.

In this case, the truth about the Index is that a long-term, faithful employee and devoted Christian had his career destroyed in order to fulfill the political agenda of others. It comes as no surprise, however. I left the Index (and an 18-year career with the GBC) when I saw Baptist laypersons with expertise in journalism rotating off the board and being replaced with politically motivated preachers — or the wives of politically motivated preachers like Danny Watters and John Yarborough.

There is not a board member left who has the slightest understanding of basic journalistic principles or any appreciation for the value of a free press. Except, of course, GBC Executive Director Bob White. He understands and previously advocated for editorial freedom. But now he is willing to sacrifice those principles and even his friends out of self-preservation.

It is still amazing that the most dishonest, deceptive people I have ever met are those who claim to believe the Bible more than the rest of us. It is sad to watch a gracious Christian leader like Bill Neal be abused by power-hungry preachers and fearful, self-serving denominational leaders. And then watch them try to cover their dirty deeds with falsehoods and pious claims of advancing evangelism.

Makes me think that such evildoers should be worried that more than their pants might be burning someday.