Do you remember the fuss over an old edict of the Mormon Church that had said that blacks could not be pastors? And the fuss was, how dare we elect a man who belonged to such a faith that had once had a ruling like that?
I am just wondering if Obama’s Chicago church would accept a white Pastor. What do you think?
I’m certain that they would not. A southern black church would probably be open to it but never in a Northern enclave of liberal blacks like Chicago or Philly. I’ve attended Black Baptist churches and they are very open and accepting. I don’t think I’ve ever received more hugs to welcome me to a church as I did at one of the local churches I went to. I’m pretty certain that aside from one mixed couple that my family was the only white one there but to be fair most churches tend to align themselves ethnically. I don’t think it happens by plan but more by natural inclinations of people to find comfort in the company of people that resemble themselves.
The most diverse Church I ever attended was in LA but it was a church were you had to have a strong idealogical foundation and a desire for teaching so it didn’t just appeal to people based upon kiddie activities and social gatherings like so many churches (even the best intentioned) ones do. I still like to attend church there when I’m in town. I don’t feel socially assaulted there and pressured to break out into hallelujahs. I can find comfort and joy in believing in Christ without the trimming.
I still like my local Baptist church but there are a lot of things I just don’t need to believe that it offers and that is ok. Those things are there and are good for those who need them. Fellowship is something that is important but what is fellowship for me resides not just within the church walls. We all have our roles and that is something we all could learn a little better. Each and every one of us should be striving to be more Christ-like. Sadly too often once we join organized religion we find what we are striving for is to make others just like us.