Racism among Evangelicals

W2L

Well-Known Member
Jun 26, 2016
20,081
10,988
USA
✟213,573.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
It’s a fact about you, but this thread isn’t about you, it’s about racism. But I understand the desire to ground things in your own experience. In the most wealthy neighborhood in your area, what are the demographics, compared to the poorest neighborhood in your area? Are there more minorities in the poorest neighborhood or the same percentage?
I dont know.
 
Upvote 0

Peter J Barban

Well-Known Member
Mar 29, 2016
1,474
973
62
Taiwan
Visit site
✟97,647.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Looking at what Sparagmos wrote, I see just the opposite. The post criticizes use of government power to limit freedom. Systemic racism is not freedom, although white nationalists continue to argue that it is.

I notice no assertion of a need to punish others for racism, merely a criticism of using racism to punish others.

In the deep south, during the civil rights era, many segregationists wailed that if blacks got equal rights, than meant whites would no longer be free. I don't think you mean to make that argument, but that's what you're saying here.
I mean exactly what I said, you just don't like it.
 
  • Winner
Reactions: Gigimo
Upvote 0

Sketcher

Born Imperishable
Feb 23, 2004
38,978
9,399
✟378,031.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Republican
When white churches attempt any level of integration campaign, especially the churches that are successful, all manner of racist issues get stirred up. Let's be careful not to downplay the issue.
I've seen it happen. If you want to reveal where the racial divide is in the church, hire a pastor of a different color and give him power. Some people will leave. Others may confess their racism as a sin and seek forgiveness. Some painful conversations will be had where there are sharp disagreements, but people will learn. I learned.
 
Upvote 0

RDKirk

Alien, Pilgrim, and Sojourner
Supporter
Mar 3, 2013
39,138
20,184
US
✟1,441,583.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
I see that as beautiful. Perhaps God does, too.

No, He does not.

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. -- 1 Corinthians 1

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. - Galatians 3

Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. -- Colossians 3
 
Upvote 0

RDKirk

Alien, Pilgrim, and Sojourner
Supporter
Mar 3, 2013
39,138
20,184
US
✟1,441,583.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Is it really racism that Black people want to worship with Blacks, Whites with Whites, and Chinese with Chinese? Maybe it is just an example of freedom to associate with those we are most comfortable with. Let us be careful about reading other people's minds and judging their unseen hearts.

Yes, it is a problem.

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. -- 1 Corinthians 1

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. - Galatians 3

Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. -- Colossians 3
 
  • Winner
Reactions: The Barbarian
Upvote 0

RDKirk

Alien, Pilgrim, and Sojourner
Supporter
Mar 3, 2013
39,138
20,184
US
✟1,441,583.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
The solution to all these integration problems is complete freedom of association without government interference.

Then you wouldn't have to worry about these churches because you would have your own separate community that's right for you.

Strawman. There is no government interference in congregational membership anyway. That argument belongs elsewhere.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

RDKirk

Alien, Pilgrim, and Sojourner
Supporter
Mar 3, 2013
39,138
20,184
US
✟1,441,583.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
When white churches attempt any level of integration campaign, especially the churches that are successful, all manner of racist issues get stirred up. Let's be careful not to downplay the issue.

The problem in America is that too many Christians have their Christianity entangled with secular politics.

When Christians can start to get concerned on a congregational level with each other's needs and start working on meeting each other's needs then they can see the causes of those needs and start to understand each other's situations. They can get beyond the politics.

I think, however, there are fundamental problems with the basic way Americans "do church" that tend to militate against members seeking to meet each others' needs. We have to stop doing church the way we've been doing it and make caring for each other a top priority.
 
Upvote 0

jgarden

Senior Veteran
Jan 1, 2004
10,695
3,181
✟106,405.00
Faith
Methodist
Racism among Evangelicals

Evangelicals have chosen to align themselves with a political party whose supporters are almost exclusively "white," and advocates a political agenda that has been universally rejected by virtually ever other visible minority!

The Republican Party has a long tradition of attempting to compensate for the relative decline of its demographic base of supporters by adopting a strategy of voter suppression - attempting to counteract the growth of visible minorities as a % of the American electorate!
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

Daniel C

Well-Known Member
Nov 22, 2018
1,147
426
England
✟23,768.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Single
Strawman. There is no government interference in congregational membership anyway. That argument belongs elsewhere.


Not a strawman.

I did actually say community, not church.Forced integration laws have moved us into a (hypothetical) place where people like the OP and I could be living down the same street with no option of openly separating.I don't like his views he does not like mine. People who are opposed in principles and values are forced to associate and the expectation from the people like the OP for everyone to replicate his way of life or else. It shouldn't be that way, I should be able to live in a nation with laws that allow people to choose their associates unconditionally. After we screen out people who are identified as inappropriate and bring in those who are right for us, then we set up the church with the people who are like minded as us.

Simple. :)
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

The Barbarian

Crabby Old White Guy
Apr 3, 2003
25,918
11,305
76
✟363,350.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Libertarian
The Republican Party has a long tradition of attempting to compensate for the relative decline of its demographic base of supporters by adopting a strategy of voter suppression - attempting to counteract the growth of visible minorities as a % of the American electorate!

This is the key, I think. If republicans were welcoming of non-white voters, and democrats were the party of crabby old white people, I have no doubt that democrats would be ginning up the same sorts of voter suppression, under the cover of "ballot security."
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Albion

Facilitator
Dec 8, 2004
111,138
33,258
✟583,842.00
Country
United States
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
The problem in America is that too many Christians have their Christianity entangled with secular politics.
That's primarily true of the liberal denominations.

I think, however, there are fundamental problems with the basic way Americans "do church" that tend to militate against members seeking to meet each others' needs. We have to stop doing church the way we've been doing it and make caring for each other a top priority.
Is this something that's peculiar to American Christians, though? I'm thinking its not.
 
Upvote 0

Shiloh Raven

Well-Known Member
May 14, 2016
12,509
11,495
Texas
✟228,180.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
The problem in America is that too many Christians have their Christianity entangled with secular politics.

I think much of evangelical Christianity and conservativism has become indistinguishable.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: RDKirk
Upvote 0

The Barbarian

Crabby Old White Guy
Apr 3, 2003
25,918
11,305
76
✟363,350.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Libertarian
RDKirk said:
The problem in America is that too many Christians have their Christianity entangled with secular politics.

That's primarily true of the liberal denominations.

Yes, for far too long the Religious Left has been ignoring God in favor of political campaigns. (WFTH-I)
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

RDKirk

Alien, Pilgrim, and Sojourner
Supporter
Mar 3, 2013
39,138
20,184
US
✟1,441,583.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
That's primarily true of the liberal denominations.

I think you're keeping your left eye closed.


Is this something that's peculiar to American Christians, though? I'm thinking its not.

Frequent, historically, in the West, most pronounced today in the United States.

It doesn't happen with Christians in Asia, except in the Philippines. How they do church is totally devoid of politics among themselves--they're all in tension with the government.
 
Upvote 0