I Must Be A Racist Christian
God is good and greatly to be praised
Though I have refused to watch any episodes of “Black In America” on CNN, I did come across this story that caught my religious eye.
Only about 5% of US churches are racially integrated. Lets reverse that, 95% of US churches are segregated.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who attend weekly religious services, especially on Sundays. I think we’ve all heard the phrase that Sunday is the most segregated day of the week, regarding race.
Here’s why I titled this post as I did. I prefer a church that is all Black. I mean I’m not up in arms if other races attend a Black church, but I am going to attend a church that is majority Black. Call me a racist but I’ve gone to churches with other racial makeups, even blended churches and I have to admit I wasn’t impressed. It was a totally different experience for me. One I wasn’t comfortable with.
Even in my ultra conservative religion, there is more expression in the Black churches I attend as opposed to the other racial makeups. I feel more free and open with those around me that look like me. And I think that just stems from being segregated for so long.
Within the churches I attend there is a stark division between the ways Black conduct services and the ways Whites and hispanics conduct services. I’m nor familiar with there way nor does it seem to move me as much.
There are more loudly expressed “amens”, some shouting, longer singer, a different kind of singing, more preaching and some LONG preaching. The stories I can relate to, the jokes the preacher may use, I’m more apt to actually “get them”, and the dynamics are just so different.
I’m not saying they don’t do this in the other churches, but it’s rare that I’ve seen or experienced such.
So is it wrong for one to have a preference? I’m pretty sure Heaven won’t be divided by race, or divided at all for that matter, so why do we humans do such?
What makes us get up on Sunday morning and insist on finding a Black church or White church to attend?
I’m asking because I’m guilty and I’ve given some of the reasons that I choose to do such.
I don’t think people should be forced to change something that’s so personal and might make them uncomfortable. It’s as if it just naturally happened, I don’t see why we need to change it. Everyone has a choice. A Black person is not going to be asked to leave a White congregation and vise versa.
And anyone that wears their feelings on their shoulder need not respond. Please if you are White, Asian, Hispanic, Jewish, Muslim ANYTHING, respond, I want to hear your side. And trust I won’t think you’re racist, everything in it’s self is NOT racist. How can preference be racist?
Your thoughts?
For at least some people, I’m thinking language has something to do with it. In many immigrant Asian Christian groups, people want something in their first language. Consequently, it’s not very surprising that the Church giving services in Vietnamese has a congregation that is 100% Vietnamese, or that the Korean Church is 100% Korean, etc. I wouldn’t say this is racist, and I doubt most people would either.
But for some reason when it comes to your decision to attend an all Black Church, some people might think this is racist but I see it in some ways as just an extension of the dynamic I illustrated above. As you point out, Black Churches have developed in ways that are unique, and have distinctive styles of worship. This is understandable becasue all religious communities originate around a shared experience. And so it’s not surprising that you seek out communities that have similiar experiences to yours, and that because you are a Black Christian you wil probably have more in common with other Black Christians than you do with, say, a Romanian Greek Orthodox Christian.
As far as I can tell all this only becomes racist when a policy of discrimination is deliberately adopted; i.e. when it becomes clear that members of other racial groups are simply not welcome or when the pastors start giving sermons about how different racial groups are somehow more sinful or inferior, etc.
As for your question, I’m pretty sure Heaven won’t be divided by race, or divided at all for that matter, so why do we humans do such? I have always liked what the Qur’an has to say on this issue:
“If God had willed, He would have made you a
single community. But he wishes to test you with that
which he has given you. So compete with one another in
good works. Unto God you will all return, and
then He will inform you of that wherein you differed.”
(Sura 5:48)
If you look at the leaders of the civil rights movement, MLK Jr, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton … all preachers and reverends. The perception is that the black church is a vehicle for black issues, and I think its difficult for a white person to enter into that environment without buying into the politics. People go to church to be forgiven, not to take on guilt. I wouldn’t be able to attend a black church personally, because on a deep level I understand that I am being blamed for many of the things blacks would be praying about. I also think churches are 99% about being a businesses, and stealing market share from other churches. This is the non-religious person in me talking – you can’t run a successful church unless the message you’re selling is the one people want to hear, and in some cases that may be black victimhood. Whites aren’t going to buy that product.
Hmph! And we wonder why there is still racism in the United States. If we have racist Christians, who is going to carry on spreading the love of Jesus Christ?
Don’t cheat yourself. You are NOT a Christian. You just go to church on Sunday.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.
I agree Baekho, it only makes sense to attend such religious worships when it comes to language.
Jennifer,
I think that is the perception that some have on the Black church after having Mr. Wright in the spotlight. But I guarantee that most Black churches do not involve politics when it comes to religious worship. You won’t even find an American flag in most Black churches. Blame is not bred in Black churches, believe it or not the majority of churches aren’t preaching about the “white” man and such. So don’t give them too much credit on that instance. Black victim hood, wow that opens up another door in my opinion. Not all Blacks blame white people. Or blame anyone for that matter. I think it’s difficult for a Black person to attend a White church just as well, not for the reason of victim hood or anything in particular other than comfort. It’s as if you place all blame on Black churches. We have to separate the two and understand that what the media portrays of the Black church isn’t always accurate.
Turner,
I’m what keeps racism alive because I have a preference? I guess next I’ll be the reason denominations exist because I choose one over another?
Did you read ANYTHING I wrote? And how dare you say I am NOT a Christian?
Are you going to stop going to your church and attend a Black church? And my religious practices you know nothing about, I go to church on Sunday’s, Wednesday’s and Friday’s. But you wouldn’t know that.
It’s not about quantity, it’s about quality. You know that, right?
Why did I dignify Turner with a response…::shrugs shoulders::
One Christian church that is not segregated is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. Where you attend church is determined entirely by where you live. This can make congregations look homogeneous, as some areas (suburbs) are very homogeneous, but inner citiy congregations are extremely diverse. When I lived in downtown Chicago our congregation included blacks, polynesians, hispanics, whites and asians. Even language specific congregations (which do exist where foreign language populations are large enough) are not entirely native speakers. The local (Indianapolis) spanish speaking congregation has a bishop which is not a native spanish speaker, but a returned missionary who spoke spanish while on a mission. His wife is hispanic but is fluent in English. He was asked to serve in that capacity for a period of time (professionally he is a doctor) after which time he may decide to attend the English speaking congregation in the area in which he lives.
For those in our nation that call themselves Christ followers, this is a no brainer… the God-centered life is not about us… ultimately it is not about personal preferences, personal taste, being “comfortable” or needed a “break”, (“refuge from white people” is one phrase i have heard used)… the Christ-follower lives his or her life doing NOT what makes them comfortable but rather that which pleases God. Period.
What the church in our nation has seemed to forget is this very basic point, the world cannot help be attracted to a community of people who intentionally go against the flow, the conventional wisdom, the reality of the sociological history of the American experience….blah, blah, blah.
It would seem that the original idea that God had for His church is even more valid for today… even a cursory reading of the first few chapters of the book of Acts give ample evidence of God’s plan for all people to worship Him together as one in Christ.
You are not a racist christian, but a confused one. The reason why America is divided on Sunday is because the enemy (SATAN) has crept in the church from its conception here in America and made sure to keep racism there in order to divide us along racial lines. Look at the new testament, there were jewish Christians and gentile Christians, poor and rich Christians all in one church. These are groups that could not stand each other before Christianity and still had disputes after they became Christians, but they still worshipped together and loved one another. The reason why European or white Americans don’t attend black churches is because the black churches have to much entertainment from the pulpit than actual the presence of the LORD. Have you ever sat in church and heard the pastor or a person in congregation start speaking in tongues without any interpretation because they “felt the spirit?” This is all a show of religiousity and the world and white folks (along with black folks) are not up to attending a bunch of entertaining services on Sunday that doesn’t deal with the real issues in people’s lives. I need Jesus, not an entertaining sermon. Unfortunately, black folks are not even able to discern from entertainment and GOD’s real presence in the service. This is exactly what the devil wants and likes. The black church needs a revival folks.
Now that I am done bashing the African American church, lets bash the white church. The white church is just as wrong as the black church. At the end of the day, worship is done unto GOD and not to entertain the congregation. Churches that just sing to the congregation and don’t challenge the congregation to worship GOD with them has worship wrong in my opinion. The white church has contemporary worship where everyone sings, not just a choir, but the preaching in white churches is just as watered down as the black churches. Black ministers are too concerned about the entertainment aspect and that takes away from the sermon. White ministers don’t want to come off as threatening or confrontational when preaching the gospel. That is why white preachers don’t really raise their voices or drive needed points home that may hurt your feelings with emphasis. They don’t really want to offend anyone with the WORD and the WORD is less challenging with this approach. By default, the WORD of GOD is confrontational. It tells you that you don’t have it together and you need Jesus to make you even recognizable by GOD. White folks don’t like this because everytime you talk to white people, they have the, “I am a good person and GOD recognizes that.” “I don’t shoot or steal from anyone.” That does not matter one bit. You still SIN. If I tell a white lie, or kill somebody, it is still the same in GOD’s eyes. SIN. The white church isn’t challenging and the black church is trying to be too entertaining to really get a rhema from GOD. White people are doing the same things as the black church does too, but in a different way. If I don’t offend you and am a nice pastor with a non-challeniging WORD, you continue to come to my church and still never get a breakthrough in your life. The problems you struggle with never get dealt with and this constantly brings you to church asking for answers that these pastors don’t give over the pulpit unless they decide to stop being nice or entertaining and listen to the LORD and preach.
In conclusion, the church in America is not the church GOD is pleased with. Our culture is modifying our WORD. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY WRONG. THE WORD OF GOD should be modifying our culture. That is why we have a church for this group and that group. That is why people can be racist in church and not love people of different races and still think that they love GOD and are good Christians. But it clearly says in I John 4:20, that if you can’t love men whom you can see, how can you love a GOD whom you do not see?
I am going to have a blog pretty soon about WHY TODAY’S CHURCH ISN’T THE CHURCH THAT JESUS IS PLEASED WITH. stay tuned.
This is all very interesting to me. I come from England where we have much more integration than over here in the US. I am white, and my church in London was reasonably split down the middle between black and white worshipers. Our vicar (reverend) was black, originally from Zambia although he had been in the UK for many years. He was truly a saint, we all loved him, he had a way of making everyone feel included and united in their love of God, the church, Christianity etc. despite the huge dissimilarities in ethnic, social and economic background of the parishioners. And he carried this all with a gentle humble spirit. No wonder he became a bishop shortly after we left and came to the USA. I am also baffled by the self enforced social racial segregation here in other spheres – white people, hispanic people, asian people, black people, all seem to express a preference for remaining within their culture socially to some degree or other, usually in matters that are very close to their hearts such as religion and marriage/romance/bringing children into the world. It is not that we do not have racism in Europe – of course we invented it! But that in general there is more ease in the mixing of people and more desire to do so. I don’t know why this would be so. I make no judgement, I just wonder why. I personally prefer it when everyone is all mixed up together for a common purpose. Peace be with you!
If that were the case ^^^ we wouldn’t have denominations. It is still about God, and has not left from being God centered.
I question everyone that is replying, are you saying that you go to a mixed church? If not, then…
You are right it’s not about personal preference but we would be being dishonest if we said we didn’t choose a church based on certain things we feel could bring us closer to a relationship with God.
The Mormon church…that’s one religion I haven’t seen much diversity in, but I’ll take your word for it, I suppose.
Turner is right. Your religious practices are irrelevant and the term “Christian” does not apply if you do not know AND follow the core of Christ. Following Christ is not about what we like or what makes us comfortable. It is about following His will: You shall love the lord your GOD with all your mind, all your heart, and all your soul. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself. Anger at the truth will get us nowhere.
It’s no wonder the world is the way it is. There are very few true Christians out there.
Hispanic is not in individual ethnic group! Please see the US census. Latin Americans can be white, black, asian, etc. Please understand that european colonialism took place south of our borders, and, therefore, there is much diversity amongst Latin Americans. By the way, we are the only country in the world that his an ethnic group for all Latin Americans and Spaniards called “hispanic.” The rest of the world, predominantly Latin Americans, scratch their heads as to why we would have such a monolithic ethnic group for such a diverse people.
Therefore, “hispanics,” due to their diversity, choose to worship amongst a variety of different ethnic groups.
I totally agree with your findings and expressive remarks. In the end you’re suppose to be comfortable to preach the word and to hear it. We’re all different but we need to have no distraction when getting what we need spiritually. Whites worship God in a WHOLE other way, and realm. We close our eyes and humbly come before him and they tend to keep their eyes open and talk to God like he’s they next door neighbor. But in all I’m not going to spite you because a Caucasian finds a Black church to attend, because the word is good for the soul. Or as a quick resolution to the problem, don’t judge and ask questions instead of assuming, because we all know what assuming makes you look like.
Wow!
After all these statements, and I’m the racist one? I think most have pulled from the post something that isn’t even there. The generalizations about the Black church are amazing.
This is very interesting, I think I’ll just sit back and watch now. I appreciate everyone visiting the blog though. I know religion is a very touchy topic, one I rarely discuss, but I’m comfortable enough to just have an open discussion where we agree to disagree.
On the issue of race and terms; I was taught in school that Latin is referred to those who are from Spain and Portugal. I’ll do my research, and try to get up to date.
Not too much to offer on this one, I avoid churches like the plague…
Not GOD, not CHRIST, just churches…
I believe in freedom of religion but I also believe in freedom FROM religion, might come from having been raised in a fairly strict Catholic family that refused to believe that nuns and priests could be sex perverts…
I walked away from *churches* 37 years ago… Sorry Tish, but this is one topic I can’t do justice to…
As a Jewish white male, I find this topic very interesting because there is not much ethnic diversity in my religion. It may be harder to comment from an outsider’s perspective, but something does not sit right with me when it is said that you are more comfortable in your segregated church because it has been segregated for so long. This attitude perpetuates the notion that because white people have suppressed black people for so long, there is nothing black people can do to change their surroundings. In this day and age I feel it is more necessary than ever for all races to come together. Bigotry and discrimination is defeated when races are integrated and there is a full understanding of cultural differences.
I was an atheist materialist for decades, but now I know that I was wrong, through study/teaching physics. There is no material universe. Black/white it is all the same. Let’s help one another to understand and cooperate. Fun, too! Cheers, Dick Henry
I found this article to be sad, yet because of my religion, it’s something I really can’t understand. I’m a 42 year old Jehovah’s Witness and have been since my childhood in the early 70’s. We have no such thing as a “black”, “white”, “hispanic” or “asian” church or congregation. You can go to any Kingdom Hall on the planet and be welcomed and race, language, ethnicity or color isn’t even considered. I have been in congregations all over the US, Mexico, Europe and Canada and you will see people of all races together, singing together, worshipping together, marrying each other. Not just races, but we preach in more than 230 languages around the world. It’s sad that an article like this has to be even written, but of course, it must be true in other religions or it wouldn’t have been written.
I feel sorry for these so-called “Christians” who have to segregate themselves. It’s also funny how we as Jehovah’s Witnesses are the butt of jokes, insults and put-downs on TV, radio and when we meet people in our ministry work at their doors. However, we can say with 100% honesty and sincerity that we do not have to deal with the problems the majority of the world’s religions have to, which is racial or ethnic divisions. I challenge anyone to go to any Kingdom Hall and see if what I say is true. Watch a Black man get on the stage on a Sunday and give the opening prayer, then a hispanic man give the morning’s talk and then a white man conduct the study of the Watchtower magazine. Watch as the interracial couples sit with their bi-racial kids in perfect harmony as kids of all races play together while their parents visit with each other after the meeting.
Of course, if you go to a congregation in an inner city neighborhood or maybe one in the middle of Iowa, you may in fact see only one race at a meeting. However, that’s not because of racism, it’s because of location and geography. I go to a congregation in Utah and it’s made up of whites, latinos, blacks and native americans. Our elders are also of almost all the races I just mentioned. There is no “power struggles” or contentions. That sounded incredulous to me from the article! We are all there to serve our God, Jehovah, and his son, Jesus Christ. We follow the Bible to THE LETTER and believe whole heartedly in the scripture at Acts 10: 34, 35 where the apostle Peter wrote, “For a certainty I perceive that God is not partial, (35) but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him”.
Therefore, how could there be churches separated by race? Maybe the leaders of those “churches” know more than God? Hmmm, doubt it.
At the end of the day, all churches have problems, but with the power of Jesus we can fix them. I attend a church that has different ethnic groups but is majority black, that worships GOD. We don’t do the whole choir thing often because when worshipping GOD, it is a collective thing. Worshipping GOD is Worshipping GOD. It doesn’t matter how you do it. It is still the same. Whether you do it out loud or in your mind. All the churches in America need to stop being segregated because of all the things we are missing out on from other cultures. Blacks don’t worship better than whites or Hispanics or Asians. We worship the best when we alll as Chrisitans worship as one body in unity together. Half of you all need to stop judging other churches and actually try to help unify the church as a whole. I criticized the church above so that you all can see what these churches are like and see that it isn’t just one church at fault, it is all of us, YES US CHRITIANS. If YOUR PREFERENCES TRUMP THE WORD OF GOD, THAT IS WRONG. PERIOD. IF you are more committed to some preference than to the WORD OF GOD, that is WRONG. GOD and HIS WORD trumps my culture as an African-America or American or whatever you want to call me. If I can’t realize that, I need to ask a question, am I in this Christian walk to just say I am a Chrisitan, or am I trying to be a disciple. I don’t know about mormons, jews, or muslims, but I know that this is what Christ wants Christians to do.
I was stunned by the article on CNN, and then found this blog. I have attended nonsegregated churches my entire life. If I walked into a church and saw all white or all black people I would have to wonder if it was just because of location. I am not rich, nor am I poor. Is it possible that the 10 churches I have been a member of through the years all belong to the 5% or are the numbers false. I prefer to think that the numbers are drastically wrong if not then this is trully an alarming figure.
My last comment. I understand that these other religions claim to have greeat unity in their churches. Their is just one difference between me and you. Our views of Jesus Christ. For example, Mr. Mormon, if you will be a god in the future, how is this possible based on Isaiah 43:10, when it states there was no GOD before, or there will be no GOD after the GOD of the bible? Mr. Jehovah’s Witness, your religion was estabished in the late 19th century. Did GOD go without a witness for over 18 centuries of church history? This is not a blog to tout our religions, but to figure out how we can be unified in the body of Christ. If you dont’t have any solutions or insight into the problem, it would be good to table any criticisms of the Christian church.
Chad I feel that your comments are moving away from the general topic of discussion based on the sociology of religion. Like the CNN article, this blog discusses why religion is still segregated in America today. I don’t remember it discussing any specific scripture of the bible.
It’s been quite interesting reading through these responses…I found this page as a link from the CNN article. First to identify myself, I am a white American Protestant Christian. I think that churches are segregated because society is segregated, and I agree with you Latisha that in general people, whether they are religious or not, tend to cluster with those who are like them, and with whom they fell they can be comfortable being themselves, and choose situations that fell comfortable rather than uncomfortable. It’s just human nature.
The church hasn’t always been segregated because (like Mormons and lots of Catholics) all churches used to be divided by parish: you go to church in your neighborhood or town with people from your neighborhood or town. It’s a fairly recent phenomenon in the history of Christianity that we have so many options about where to attend worship services (denomination, worship style, ethnic makeup of the congregation). I think that all these choices can be a blessing and a curse…it’s great to be surrounded by people who you’re comfortable with and worship in a style that’s familiar, but on the other hand, because we often stick with what’s comfortable, we miss out on so much of what else is out there as well as the opportunities to stretch ourselves and learn to experience God in new ways.
I had a ’stretching’ experience when I attended a mostly Korean church, which, though non-denominational, was greatly influenced by a certain denomination’s theology which greatly differed from my own in some respects. It wasn’t the race or denomination per se that made me feel out of place though, it was a few slight differences in culture. I’m more comfortable in a casual environment, and the church was a bit more formal. The church was made up of business professionals, and I wait tables. Whatever the reason, I went to church there for two years, and never got past surface-level interaction and into real relationships with most of the people I knew and went to small groups with. Kinda sad.
So there’s my two cents. Sorry it kinda turned into a short novel.
Preference can be racist. Racism has always been about preference.
Latisha, I read what you wrote…unfortunately. You can try to justify it all you want. But, racism is racism, even at church.
So, you can go there on Monday, Tuesday and every other day of the week. That does not make you a Christian.
Turner,
I’m not bashing what you do as your religious preference and I would appreciate if you would extend me the same respect. I am a Christian because of more than my worship schedule and how dare you try to limit my relationship with Christ on your own understanding? You are getting away from the topic at hand and personally attacking me and my status within a spiritual realm. I know what makes me a Christian, and I don’t have to explain it to you, nor shall I argue with you on such.
Please don’t insult me Turner. Preference in YOUR opinion can be racist. Remember your opinion is just that your opinion. No fact to be found. I’m not justify anything, because I don’t need to nor have to.
Since you are perfect, and can dish out the criticism, lead us all…give us an answer to the question…lead the way.
I haven’t insulted you, Latisha. I read your blog, I digested what you said and came to a conclusion.
I’m not perfect. I could be wrong. I’m sure there is a lot more that can be said. If you know what makes you a Christian, good for you.
I wish you a healthy relationship with Jesus. I don’t want to fight another Christian.
I am a white, male, heterosexual, Christian… Feel free to insult me… if that aint enough I am also from the south, own a trailer and oh yeah I actually did participate in “Cow tipping” once… Anyone???? LOL
All joking aside, I am a christian, I believe in the almighty and his word, I believe JC Died on the cross for ALL of our sins. My wife is an associate pastor of rather large church in our area. While I dont attend like I should for some of the same reasons most don’t. I Am a true believer.
There is something that might shock the heck out you.. I actually spent more time in MOSTLY black churches growing up in the south, a pentocostal holiness church to be exact and I have been scarred for life LOL Some of those folks are crazy but the music was great and I loved the FOOD after the service.
The main problem with churches these days is the people. it was the same in the old days and it will be the same in 20 generations… the people that think they are perfect vs those that know they are perfect. LOL Everyone in everyone elses business. No matter what church you attend that’s the issue.
So be it Turner.
I enjoy you visiting though.
Thank you, Latisha.
Warm regards.