An Alternate View Inside a Black Church

[William Haskins]

many obama supporters have pointed out (and with some merit) that black churches often speak to the black experience in ways that make white people (and sometimes other blacks) uncomfortable.

it should be interesting to see if they afford the same latitude to this fucknut.

enjoy:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=khuu-RhOBDU

[Jcomp]

I think that goes beyond making "some" other blacks uncomfortable. I don't know any black folks that would be cool with hearing their preacher say "tits."

This whole "Obama's church" story has created this bizarre lumping of all black churches together--much if not most of it initiated by black commentators acting as apologists. It does more harm than good, and it's inaccurate. I've bounced to many different black churches and about the only consistency is the singing (and even that still varies go to an older church and it's far more subdued compared to the newer / younger churches) and the pastor's general energy. What the pastor's say when they're channeling that energy--and whether that energy comes off as incredibly-enthusiastic or righteous-fury or some mix--varies.

I hate how we let the talking heads that claim to represent us present us as having a hive mind and shit.

[William Haskins]

I think that goes beyond making "some" other blacks uncomfortable. I don't know any black folks that would be cool with hearing their preacher say "tits."

perhaps. it's worth considering that rev. wright has used profanity as well (beyond the "god damn america" comment). a notable instance was his diatribe that ended with "...god has got to be sick of this shit."

http://sweetness-light.com/archive/a-message-of-hate-from-obamas-pastor-via-youtube

I hate how we let the talking heads that claim to represent us present us as having a hive mind and shit.

it bothers me too, and i hope you didn't take my post as a reinforcement of that. i've been vocal in my assertion that blacks, religious or otherwise, are not a monolith.

[Jcomp]

perhaps. it's worth considering that rev. wright has used profanity as well (beyond the "god damn america" comment). a notable instance was his diatribe that ended with "...god has got to be sick of this shit."

http://sweetness-light.com/archive/a-message-of-hate-from-obamas-pastor-via-youtube


Hadn't seen that before. I've only been in church once where the "preacher" (a guest preacher who sells DVD's espousing the evils of Hip Hop whose sermon was pregnant with misinformation... but I digress) cussed during his sermon. There was palpable shock and discomfort amongst the congregation and became one of those "Let us never speak of him again" moments. I guess in some flocks it flies easier than it does in others.

it bothers me too, and i hope you didn't take my post as a reinforcement of that. i've been vocal in my assertion that blacks, religious or otherwise, are not a monolith.

Oh I know, I've seen you make the comment before, I know where you're coming from. Unfortunately a lot of people--specifically a lot of black people and alleged black "leaders"--don't seem to recognize this.

[InfinityGoddess]

I think that goes beyond making "some" other blacks uncomfortable. I don't know any black folks that would be cool with hearing their preacher say "tits."

This whole "Obama's church" story has created this bizarre lumping of all black churches together--much if not most of it initiated by black commentators acting as apologists. It does more harm than good, and it's inaccurate. I've bounced to many different black churches and about the only consistency is the singing (and even that still varies go to an older church and it's far more subdued compared to the newer / younger churches) and the pastor's general energy. What the pastor's say when they're channeling that energy--and whether that energy comes off as incredibly-enthusiastic or righteous-fury or some mix--varies.

I hate how we let the talking heads that claim to represent us present us as having a hive mind and shit.

I was talking to the lady who cut my hair today about this, and she said that she didn't agree with Rev. Wright, nor has she heard of any pastor get this fired up over the issues. She was a black woman.

I think it's fair to say that this sort of thing varies among individuals. Some are stuck in the past, others aren't.

[III]

How long until it comes out that Wright registered his domain at godaddy.com after seeing their superbowl ad?

[RumpleTumbler]

The Honorable James David Manning, PHD

:roll:

[Fingers]

I guess what I dont understand is why these preachers are speaking the way they do in the videos I have seen of them. If they are in a house of god, why arent they talking about jesus and the message of acceptance and peace that jesus speaks? If I went to a church (white or black church) and heard the man or woman at the pulpit speaking like that I would up and walk out. If the man wants to pontificate about politics he has every right to. I just think the pulpit is the wrong place for it. My .02 worth.


yer pal Brian

[William Haskins]

in the case of wright, it's far more a social/political movement than a religious one. christ is transformed to a large degree from a spiritual icon to a social one.

google some stuff on black liberation theology and liberation theology in general.

basically, it's social and political advocation superimposed on the church that takes advantage of the traditional role of the church in the black family.

[choppersmom]

How long until it comes out that Wright registered his domain at godaddy.com after seeing their superbowl ad?

Forgive me, I didn't catch the game this year (or any year, for that matter): Was there something about the godaddy commercial? I only ask because I have two domains registered with them, and I hadn't heard anything about their commercial - I hope there wasn't some huge controversy about them. If I should be thinking about taking my domains down, could someone let me know?

[WildScribe]

Holy... uh... Wow. That cracks me up.

[rugcat]

google some stuff on black liberation theology and liberation theology in general.

basically, it's social and political advocation superimposed on the church that takes advantage of the traditional role of the church in the black family.Was not liberation theology coined by the Catholic Church, gaining prominence when adopted by Catholic priests in Latin America who pushed social justice as a religious obligation?

[Don Allen]

But you also have to remember that since the end of the Civil War the only voices allowed to speak of the evil done to blacks was in the confines of the black church. But having said that, I think it would have been a prudent move for Obama to distance himself from Trinity the moment he began his quest for the presidency. What I think he needs now is for Mr. Wright to hold a press conference and take responsibility for waht he said and explain his intentions and apologize to Mr. Obama for the unintended association. I just got back from my health club which consists of 100%white irish catholic men between the ages of 40 and 110. They weren't happy with the prospects of a black president before all this, but now, they were down right vile today... I left after 1 beer, thats a precident.......

[William Haskins]

Was not liberation theology coined by the Catholic Church, gaining prominence when adopted by Catholic priests in Latin America who pushed social justice as a religious obligation?

that is correct. black liberation theology is something of an outgrowth of that.

[NikeeGoddess]

painfully ironic though how this guy saying obama is a good house nigga by doing what the white man says... and then obama having to do just that by denouncing the words of his own pastor.

I think that goes beyond making "some" other blacks uncomfortable.no way could i sit through a sermon like that unless i was there doing research for a script or something. i'd spend my time watching the reactions of the parishioners more than anything... and just wondering what must be going through their heads.

[johnnysannie]

that is correct. black liberation theology is something of an outgrowth of that.

Catholic social teaching is one of the foundations of the Church. In short, Catholic social teaching demonstrates care and compassion toward the poorest members of society, a belief that has its roots in both traditional and ancient Jewish law as well as the teachings of Jesus Christ. Core beliefs include the sanctity of human life, a sense of responsibility to family and community, rights for workers, and human dignity.

While black liberation theory may indeed be an outgrowth of these beliefs, it has nothing to do with the Catholic Church itself or the doctrine thereof.

[William Haskins]

catholic teachings + latin american socialism = liberation theology.

liberation theology + black nationalism = black liberation theology.

it's not very difficult math.

[Bird of Prey]

catholic teachings + latin american socialism = liberation theology.

liberation theology + black nationalism = black liberation theology.

it's not very difficult math.


I understand what you are saying, and painted with a very broad brush, I suppose it's true . However, imo Latin American Catholicism has not fit easily into Latin American socialism. It's highly conflicted, as LA socialism really has its root in Communism, not Bolivar's vision.

[robeiae]

LA socialism? That's Hollywood, right? Martin Sheen's to blame.

[GeorgeK]

[quote=Fingers;2173152...I guess what I dont understand is why these preachers are speaking the way they do in the videos I have seen of them.....


yer pal Brian[/quote]

The vast majority of them are in it for the money, power and presige. They are like commercials. Some commercials are memorable for their shock value and some make you remember the product. All religions are basically the same, stay close to the ideals of your church and far from the clergy.

[Bird of Prey]

LA socialism? That's Hollywood, right? Martin Sheen's to blame.


LA Confidential Socialism. Basinger's to blame.

[dgiharris]

My biggest fear is that many whites think that black churches are like the one linked to above.

Having gone to black and mixed churches my entire life, I can tell you that this idiot is not the norm.

Another tangeant point that was brought up is that it is true, black churches tend to incorporate more politics and current events in the sermons. I believe this is owed to the tight bonds between the 'black church' and the civil rights movement which was driven by the 'black church'.

But what most pastors do, is they use the politics and current events to articulate the BIBLICAL theme or lesson of the sermon. Some of these pastors (a minority) think their opinion is synonymous with god's and start preaching their opinion instead of the gospel.

In regards to 'language'. I will say there is a context to when a pastor cursing is not only exceptable, but helps articulate the message. It is not so much what they say but how they say it and the context. Granted, the clip above of the first pastor talking about tits is a great example of the

wrong words + the wrong context + the wrong message = absoulte stupidity

Lastly, I would like to discuss the black church. I love taking my white friends to my church. They are amazed. We start off by hugging at least 3 people around you. Then there is the choir, and everyone is up, singing and clapping. And the music, the music, many people cry. Then there is the sermon. Part comedy routine, part heart ripping tragedy, and all of it relates to the bible message of the day. During all of this the choir and organ player will occasionally 'emphasize' the pastor's words.

Many of my white friends remark on how much 'fun' the church was. They are also surprised by the 'frankness' and 'candor' of the pastors, and the fearlessness in which they address a problem head on and relate it to the bible.

Now I don't mean to come across that the black church is better. I believe to each his own. I've been to Catholic mass a couple of times and I can see how some would find better comfort in those rituals as opposed to the less structured southern baptist style.

What I hope white people understand is that like whites, blacks are diverse in their opinions and we shouldn't be lumped all together with the particular black nut of the day-- be he a politician, a pastor, etc.

Whenever a crazy white person says something, we don't assume all white people are like that. but whenever a crazy black person says something, it seems that many whites hold that opinion to be representative of all blacks. Farrahkan anyone?

In the above case, that pastor's behavior and message was wrong and not representative of the majority of black churches IMO.

Mel...