Black churches conflicted on Obama's gay marriage decision

[struggle4progress]

By Dennis Cauchon, USA TODAY

... What did he hear from churchgoers? "No church or group is monolithic. Some were powerfully agitated and disappointed. Others were curious — why now? to what end? Others were hurt. And others, to be honest, told me it's not an issue and they don't have a problem with it."

What did the bishop tell his congregation? He opposes gay marriage. It is not just a social issue, he said, but a religious one for those who follow the Bible. "The spiritual issue is ground in the word of God."

That said, "I believe the statement the president made and his decision was made in good faith. I am sure because the president is a good man. I know his decision was made after much thought and consideration and, I'm sure, even prayer."

Clark asked his church "to pray for the president and pray this will not become a political football with uncivil language and heated rhetoric. We can disagree on this, as we do on many things, and still love each other" ...

http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2012-05-13/black-churches-gay-marriage-obama/54941862/1

[Skittles]

1. hear that, gay folk?

you can get on the bus as long as you sit in the back

[struggle4progress]

2. I've met plenty of black church-goers down here who voted against the Amendment

[Skittles]

3. tell them to move to North Carolina

[struggle4progress]

5. I met them here in central NC: they already live here

[trotsky]

13. Do you know what the final exit poll numbers were? n/t

[struggle4progress]

15. Redstate Blogger Busts Politico Trying To Blame Black Voters For Amendment One

ABC News reported ... (May 10, 2012) that there was no exit polling in North Carolina for Amendment One. At all.
http://www.mediaite.com/online/redstate-blogger-busts-politico-trying-to-blame-black-voters-for-amendment-one/

[trotsky]

16. Yeah, I know, that wasn't much of a challenge for your Google-foo.

So all you have to go on is a few people you talked to, eh?

[cbayer]

4. I am hopeful that we will begin to see more significant shifts in this.

It is a painful dilemma for both the black and GLBT communities and sad that some do not see that civil rights are civil rights and discrimination is discrimination, whatever criteria is used.

[struggle4progress]

6. Amendment One: ‘No one position’ in black churches

19 days ago
BY DAWN BAUMGARTNER VAUGHAN
[e-mail]; 919-419-6563

DURHAM – Will any particular group of voters affect the May 8 vote on Amendment One, which would declare the only recognized domestic union as a married man and woman? Though the Republican-introduced amendment might be determined along party lines, the areas of religion and race are not distinct boundaries.

In Durham and Chapel Hill, the religious groups who have held public discussions on Amendment One or signed supportive statements against it have been largely those who are welcoming to the LGBT community, and predominantly white congregations. Predominantly African-American churches have been quieter outside of church walls.

“There is not one position for the African-American Church, due to the fact without our body of believers we are liberal, conservative and whatever,” said the Rev. Fredrick Davis, pastor of First Calvary Baptist Church in Durham.

In the 2008 presidential election, exit polls in California, which was voting on its own same-sex marriage proposition, at first claimed that African-American voters had an influence on results opposing gay marriage. Later that view was criticized as being exaggerated and unsupported ...

http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/18332729/article-Amendment-One--%E2%80%98No-one-position%E2%80%99-in-black-churches

[skepticscott]

7. What exactly is the dilemma for the black community?

Choosing between:

A. Supporting the same equality of rights for gays and lesbians that they demanded and fought so hard for themselves
or
B. Following the alleged word of a "god" that doesn't

Not a tough choice if you have a moral bone in your body.

[edcantor]

17. +1000 But we have to admit that

it's hard for some folks to give up their religious beliefs, even in the face of the obvious.

White and black and other folks all find that difficult, as we can sometimes see right here.

[dimbear]

8. We may hear static about Obama's statement. Approximately zero blacks will vote

for Mitt Romney in November.
Maybe Herman Cain will..........
Count on the Rs to adjust black resentment to 'high.'

[xfundy]

9. The best part

is that the Southern Batshits were formed when they broke from the National Baptists 'cuz they supported slavery. Yet, at least in the south, most black churches affiliate with the SBC, ancestors of the same assholes that used the bible to excuse them for their hatred and abuse of fellow humans.

So many "black churches" forget that gay people and Jewish people marched with them in support of civil rights for ALL.

[SoutherDem]

10. It wasn't that way once

I haven't been part of the SBC for 20 years, but back then I don't know of even one "black" SBC church. Then I believe they were part of the American Baptist.

[struggle4progress]

14. "Most black churches affiliate with the SBC"? Oh, really? Since when?

[SoutherDem]

11. Just wondering

If it is ok to deny a right because you believe it is prohibited in the bible, then I guess those in the black churches which voted to prohibit gay marriage, fully understood(stand) those who felt (feels) interracial marriage is also prohibited in the bible?

They understand why those who voted for laws years ago, which were overturned by Loving vs. Virginia, did what they did?

I have several friends who are in interracial marriages. We have compared stories of how we are looked at with utter disgust for walking hand and hand with our spouse/partner by some. I guess they understand that too?

If it is because you are a bigot it is wrong. But, if you are doing it because you believe it is what is instructed in the bible it is acceptable.

I don't mean to be sarcastic but I just don't get it.

[provis99]

12. all part of the "fuck you, I got mine" attitude in America.