Baptists and racism?

[pgmike]

i think so many ppl are so desensitized by racism around them or in them that they cannot even see it. it cannot be that my mom and i have seen so much racism in so many chuches in many states and everybody else not see it.

 

[TexasCatholic]

i think so many ppl are so desensitized by racism around them or in them that they cannot even see it. it cannot be that my mom and i have seen so much racism in so many chuches in many states and everybody else not see it.

Perhaps rather than others being desensitized, you're overly sensitive?... If you walk into a church and see only white people, does that mean they are racists? What if you walked into a church and everyone was black? Would THEY be racists?... A friend of mine, who is white, attends a Black Methodist church. She's the ONLY white person in the place. Even small children made fun of her when she first went there .. "hey mama, that WHITE GIRL is here by herself! *giggle*"... It was such an odd site, even for a child to see, that it seemed odd. Is it because whites are unwelcome? No. I rather believe it's because people choose to go to churches that match their own culture and worship style. This particular "white girl" prefers the worship style of a Black church, and thus she attends there regularly. As the sole caucasian in the room.

Can you give specific examples of racism situations you're talking about?

-James

 

[LuxPerpetua]

I grew up in a very large SBC church in MS, and I agree with the statement said earlier that it has more to do with the region than the denomination. Older Christians in the South still tend to be racist. At my church of approx. 8000 or so members we had a handful of black members. We had a lot of Asians, but there was always a stigma against black members. And interracial couples were a big no-no. I think that such racism is deep-rooted in Southern culture (thankfully, though, this is slowly beginning to change). SBC churches are the main churches found in this region, and SBC by definition tends to err on the side of ultra-conservatism even in matters that are not spiritually-relevant.

 

[FreeinChrist]

So why do they have to be seperated by race? Apologies for my mis-understanding. I go to a baptist church, but it's different here in Scotland.

The conventions were formed in the past - mostly over a century or so ago. I have attended a predominatntly black church and been welcomed, and the baptist church I regularly attended had black members. The church I am in now has a large mix.

Much of the reason folks stay in those less diverse congregations is simple familiarity, or preference for worship styles. Black congregations, from my experience, are more expressive in worship, and the style of music is more gospel - and I like both of those things very much! Predominantly white congregations are less expressive overall, and music can be more conservatively sung - and that is ok too.

Another factor is the community in which one lives. The community I am in now is far more diverse than others and this is reflected in the church membership.

 

[pgmike]

Perhaps rather than others being desensitized, you're overly sensitive?... If you walk into a church and see only white people, does that mean they are racists? What if you walked into a church and everyone was black? Would THEY be racists?... A friend of mine, who is white, attends a Black Methodist church. She's the ONLY white person in the place. Even small children made fun of her when she first went there .. "hey mama, that WHITE GIRL is here by herself! *giggle*"... It was such an odd site, even for a child to see, that it seemed odd. Is it because whites are unwelcome? No. I rather believe it's because people choose to go to churches that match their own culture and worship style. This particular "white girl" prefers the worship style of a Black church, and thus she attends there regularly. As the sole caucasian in the room.

Can you give specific examples of racism situations you're talking about?

-James

i wouldnt say im overly sensitive. truth be told it never even bothered me when ppl in ohio would call me a dirty immigrant bc my father was from venezuela. nobody here is racist towards me. the reason it bothers me is bc it sinful and a very poor witness to unbelievers.

an example, would be all the black jokes i hear. all the guys say that girls of otehr races cannot be pretty. there is a general attitude of not wanting to talk or associate with ppl of other races. i see this disrespect for them that is not always so obvious, but something you can pick up if youre an observant thoughful person.

 

[Cright]

Sad but true, racism exists, in and out of ALL churches. We must welcome unbelievers, believers, nice and mean into the "building" of the church. I think that the baptist churches I've been to have been extreamly good at welcoming ALL people of any race or even denomination, seekers ect. The one I'm becoming a member of is very diverse.

I know that some baptist churches aren't so blessed, they don't make the majority of us for sure... and those sad few aren't putting proper focus on doctrine.

...just my $.02

Carina

 

[Asar'el]

People are people.

Until the Lord Jesus returns, time ends and eternity begins (there's a paradox! lol) we will encounter people in all the varieties there are. It would be great if more reconized the truth the Scripture teaches - of one blood all nations of men - and - Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

To a degree... we are guilty, when we even speak of racism, if we do not proclaim these truths, and instead give (silent) agreement to the idea of races...

More Christians, I believe, should eliminate 'races' from their speech, and set straight those that don't know it, as to how God views the issue -- no distinction!

 

[pgmike]

this is a sad truth. what can i rally do about this, if anything at all?

 

[theseed]

You can't be a Christian and be racist at the same time. You can't hate your brother and love God at the same time. So racist people don't love God.

1 John 2
7 (19) Beloved, I am (20) not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had (21) from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard.
8 On the other hand, I am writing (22) a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because (23) the darkness is passing away and (24) the true Light is already shining.
9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet (25) hates his (26) brother is in the darkness until now.
10 (27) The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
11 But the one who (28) hates his brother is in the darkness and (29) walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has (30) blinded his eyes.

 

[Asar'el]

this is a sad truth. what can i rally do about this, if anything at all?

When you hear people talk of race, especially Christians, remind them of the Word of God. Leave 'race' out of your speech, and eliminate it from your thoughts - for if you think different races, you acknowledge something that is in error.

God's teaching should always be our guide; when someone teaches (would say preaches, but that's not entirely appropriate) a message of hate against another, ask them for the basis of their thoughts - and show them instead God's message of love. Gentleness is better than outright criticism, but it should not be at the expense of the truth.

If you are unfortunate to be in a group that teaches in error ... and think you are to remain there as a witness ... make sure you are not so silent that you are perceived to agree with it. God will let you know when you should speak up - and if nothing else, when you should leave.

But in general ... never underestimate the power of prayer!

 

[pgmike]

When you hear people talk of race, especially Christians, remind them of the Word of God. Leave 'race' out of your speech, and eliminate it from your thoughts - for if you think different races, you acknowledge something that is in error.

God's teaching should always be our guide; when someone teaches (would say preaches, but that's not entirely appropriate) a message of hate against another, ask them for the basis of their thoughts - and show them instead God's message of love. Gentleness is better than outright criticism, but it should not be at the expense of the truth.

If you are unfortunate to be in a group that teaches in error ... and think you are to remain there as a witness ... make sure you are not so silent that you are perceived to agree with it. God will let you know when you should speak up - and if nothing else, when you should leave.

But in general ... never underestimate the power of prayer!

you must have misunderstood, racism is not taught/preached. they know how i feel about it.

 

[pgmike]

You can't be a Christian and be racist at the same time. You can't hate your brother and love God at the same time. So racist people don't love God.

1 John 2
7 (19) Beloved, I am (20) not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had (21) from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard.
8 On the other hand, I am writing (22) a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because (23) the darkness is passing away and (24) the true Light is already shining.
9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet (25) hates his (26) brother is in the darkness until now.
10 (27) The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
11 But the one who (28) hates his brother is in the darkness and (29) walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has (30) blinded his eyes.

they dont hate the ppl from other races. they arent that racist. its jsut the underlying attitude. most of them do love God.

 

[theseed]

they dont hate the ppl from other races. they arent that racist. its jsut the underlying attitude. most of them do love God.

And what attitude is that?

 

[pgmike]

that they are somehow superior to them.

 

[theseed]

that they are somehow superior to them.

Doesn't sound like love to me.


Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

 

[pgmike]

that scripture does not back your assumption that they hate others, jsut shows their lack of humility.

 

[theseed]

that scripture does not back your assumption that they hate others, jsut shows their lack of humility.

Perhaps, but if they don't love them, then it seems logically that they hate them.

 

[pgmike]

not necessarily. they can be indifferent to them. i do not love my job, but i alsp dont hate it. those are extremes, how you feel about somebody can be on a continuum.

 

[theseed]

not necessarily. they can be indifferent to them. i do not love my job, but i alsp dont hate it. those are extremes, how you feel about somebody can be on a continuum.

So thier lukewarm, and Christ may spue them out?

 

[pgmike]

that is taking scripture out of context again and applying it to something that it shouldnt.