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Originally Posted by momrajum  The thing is usnamom, I believe that churches are about God and worshiping Him, not about race or agenda. That's where I get lost. I've read about black liberation theology, I just think that is the wrong direction for a church. The church is about God's people being taught to serve each other and Him and to grow in knowledge and grace.
just my two cents |
For black people, some black people, historically the church was where the movement to end segregation began and was organized. The pastors of the churches were the push and the organizers. The movement for equal treatment still continues. The racial bias still exists. The churches are still the organizers of the movement for equality and the push to never be satisfied with the status quo until everyone of color is equal to those who are not. So when I read that the church is preaching I don't get in arms because I understand what they are saying. I understand that some pastors are saying "Don't settle for what we have now...we still have a long way to go" because we do.
Perhaps if black people had been able to worship God along with everyone else, the preaching would be more palatable (the way the pastors preach) to the public. It is very different when you attend a predominantly AA church as the pastors have a very different role in the community than in your typical AOG church, for instance.
From the beginning, while slaves, the black people would still praise the Lord while wondering when he would deliver them from masters. They were spiritual people and after being freed waited for the wrath of God to deliver punishment as promised. There is lots on the internet, if anyone is interested in learning more about what role the church plays in the AA communities. I don't expect that anyone is however. It is easier to compare your experiences with theirs and find that if it doesn't match, then theirs is wrong.
I don't agree with what the Pastor said but I can understand it. It is not really any different than what some preacher, I can't remember who, that said after Katrina, that it was God's way of smiting the people in NO for their wickedness or the preacher who said that the latest earthquake in CA was God's way of saying how displeased he was with Gay marraige. I don't remember who said those things, someone else might be able to remember who did. I think they both were preachers of 'born again" churches, conservative christians. Do I expect everyone who claims to be a conservative christian to stop being a conservative christian because of what those nutcases said? No, nor do I expect those in his parishes (or whatever it is called) to leave because of what they preached. It is his opinion. I go to church for God and myself. I go for the community of my church family. I understand why those people said what they said. To further their conservative viewpoint. Do I agree? No. But I understand.
Again, it doesn't do Obama any good in my eyes for me to put McCain down. I won't vote for him or Palin because I don't believe what they stand for....especially my views on what are womans rights. But I don't hate the Republican candidates. That would be stupid in my book. Potentially, they could be the next leaders of the country. Do I want that? No, but it is a slight possiblity. A very slight possiblity.
Sorry if this is rambling. It is late and this subject has been picked apart. It is a tiresome subject. And I know that no matter what is said some people will still have one liners about how Obama is a racist and a liar when clearly that is a case of pot calling kettle black. (pun not intended)