Just met my racist next door neighbors.

[Critters2]

I've seen these folks coming and going, but never really had a conversation with 'em. Until tonight. They told me all about how the neighborhood has changed since the "gangbangers" moved in (there's no gang activity in this neighborhood--"gangbanger" seems to mean minority people). Also told me how the high-rise across the street that houses disabled and mentally ill people has made the neighborhood "go to pot", and accused our (Latino) custodian of doing pot because "they all do". It was quite interesting.

Then there was the argument they had with me about what denomination the church I serve is. "We remember when it was a Methodist church."

Me: You're mistaken. It's never been a Methodist church."

Them: Sure it was. We took our kids there, 'cuz we wanted 'em raised Methodist.

Me: It's been a Congregationalist church since 1839.

Them: No, we used to go. We sang all these Methodist hymns, had Methodist pastors. It was a nice Methodist church. Then it became whatever it is now, and got all liberal and stuff.

Me: Oh, back before, when it was Methodist. Oh, yeah. Look at the time! Gotta run!

Why would I let myself get hooked into such a stupid conversation? But then, why would they argue with the PASTOR of a church about what kind of church it is?!!

But most importantly, how can I keep this from happening again?


:eyes:

[RevolutionaryActs]

1. Wow, just wow.

Um, next time pretend you only speak German? :silly:

[KG]

2. some people are just willfully stupid. nothing to be done....

[crim son]

3. You can't.

Think of them as an opportunity: to teach, to exercise patience, to indulge in a few beers. :P

[Robeson]

4. Avoid them. Exchange pleasantries, and leave it at that....

...their brains are hard-wired differently. Just my 2 cents. :hi:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

5. Complain to your other neighbors about the klan next door.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. HehTechnically, Pastors aren't supposed to do that. lol

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. Jesus would approve.

:thumbsup:

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. LOL I feel for ya hon! Maybe God will be kind and you'll hardly ever run into each other. Then

again he might say "Time for another learning experience" :P

[Critters2]

10. Yeah, I'm afraid the Holy Spirit was behind my meeting them.

Sometimes I get tired of Her and Her damn learning experiences!!

[lizerdbits]

9. There was a guy across the street from me like that when I moved here

He was getting ready to move though and no big loss. I met him right after I moved in and he warned me about the "hood hangers in the section 8 housing" nearby. Translation I guess was 'them blacks who all use drugs.' He preceded his warning with "I'm not prejudiced since I lived in the District for a long time but..." The 'I'm not racist but' statement basically means 'I'm going to say something racist but I don't want you to actually think I'm racist.' Good thing he's gone because an African American couple just moved in next door to me and he'd probably spend all his time spying on them and every time they had a visitor it would be the crack dealer to him. :eyes: The new neighbors seem to have jobs which is an improvement from the 2 white guys on the other side of me who never seem to do anything but play loud music and have patio parties. If I'm home during the day for anything they do that, it's not like they come home from work and then party.

Not sure how to keep that from happening to you again other than avoid them. :shrug:

[MonkeyFunk]

11. Is it possible that particular building

had been a methodist church, but your denomination took it over? Not in a land-battle or anything, but through purchase? And that your congregation goes back that far, but not that particular real-estate? Just wondering.

[Critters2]

12. No, the congregation built this building in 1871.

Says so right on the cornerstone. This congregation was founded in 1839, when a group of abolitionists in the local Presbyterian church wanted that congregation to take a clear anti-slavery position. When the church refused to take a stand one way or the other, the abolitionists left and formed the Congregational Church. There was a small, wood frame building built soon after the founding, but they had outgrown that by the mid-1860's and bought this land. This building was completed in 1871. My house (the parsonage) was built in 1888. There's a Methodist Church about two blocks away, founded around the same time. But congregation and building have been Congregationalist (and therefore UCC) since forever. It's possible the "liberal" comment had to do with being UCC, but it's been "liberal" for its times since its founding, too.

So, they were confused. And confusing.

[MonkeyFunk]

13. heheh... OK

do you think they were confused about the building, or about their own denomination? Either way, it's pretty funny.