Richard Dinkins to hear Belmont vs Tennessee Baptist Convention Complaint

According to a recent Tennessean article, Chancellor Richard Dinkins would hear the TBC vs. Belmont complaint sometime in May of 2008. There are a number of reasons that both sides should come to their respective senses and settle this mess and the Dinkins announcement adds more to consider. Take a look at his bio page. There are a couple of items that make me question if this is the right person to make the final judgement in this case:

1. At one time he was an Associate in Avon William's law firm. I remember Williams as a strong supporter of paramutual gambling in Tennessee, something that the Tennessee Baptist Convention opposed for many years.
2. He is listed as a Trustee for First Baptist Church Capitol Hill Capitol Hill Baptist Church. Do a little history homework and you will discover an association with First Baptist Church Nashville that includes segregationist overtones. And certainly there are connections between FBC Nashville and the TBC.
3. There is one notable award that Chancellor Dinkins received from the Tennessee ACLU. I could be mistaken, but the ACLU is not considered a friend in conservative Baptist circles.

At least Chancellor Dinkins is a Baptist (although some Tennessee Baptists might argue that). And as a Baptist, I would bet the farm that the Honorable Richard Dinkins can judge a quality, homemade casserole with the best of us. God bless him!