Do you think it’s the responsibility of church leaders to take a stand on gay marriage?
The Black Church Is Conflicted on Gay Marriage, But It’s Really So Simple
President
Obama just so happened to make his announcement in support of gay
marriage the same week I had choir rehearsal. So two days after he shook
up the world, I was in the sanctuary of my church when someone brought
it up in conversation, thinking—I’m sure—that everyone would share the
same view. After all, we are all members of the same congregation.
“I’m disappointed,” one sister lamented. “It would have to be the first black president to come out and endorse this nonsense.”
She shook her head emphatically, like the man had signed a bill
declaring something utterly ridiculous, like we all have to wear rat fur
coats on Fridays from here on out. She was genuinely put out with the
prez.
Now, I’ve got to confess that I’m not the most diplomatic
broad on the block. Even when I think I’ve got my tongue bridled and my
sassiness in check, it somehow manages to ooze out. So while she and
another gentleman took turns batting their disgust back and
forth—insisting that they don’t have a problem with gay folks, they just
don’t see why Obama needed to support their right to be married—I shifted from one foot to another, trying to find my nice lady tone.
And I did. At first. So by the time they paused in their Obama booing
to look at me and ask “So Ms. Writer, what do you think?” I slid into a
poker face. “I’m actually proud of him for a few reasons,” I said. “For
one, he took a stand on an issue, which has been something I’ve been
wanting him to do. Take a firm, unshakeable stand and stay there.
Secondly, he’s supporting another minority group. I’m not mad at that.”
A
sweet awkward silence filled the air as homegirl paused to process what
I said. Then she regrouped: “You don’t think homosexuality is a sin?”
she half-asked, half-accused.
Le sigh. This age-old question.
“Nope. I don’t think it’s as simple as that. It’s not that black and
white. And Lord knows it’s not my job to judge, even if it is. Look, if
gay folks can’t get married
because homosexuality is supposed to be a sin, then theoretically, I
shouldn’t either because I fornicated and had a child out of wedlock.
And that’s a sin, too.” That was different, she insisted.
Thankfully, it was time to start rehearsal and put the debate on ice
before everybody started pulling out their Bibles and interpreting
scripture to support their opposing arguments. The conversation wasn’t
an isolated experience for me. I was born into and raised up in the
black church—African Methodist Episcopal to be exact (holla!)—so her
reaction is nothing I haven’t heard whispered in pews or declared across
the pulpit before. For as long as I can remember, the super Christians
who vow not to judge use Biblical reference to justify their really bad, really self-righteous habit of doing just that.
But I feel like this right here: when one minority becomes instrumental
in holding up the rights and progress of another, it’s an even bigger
slap in the face. And no one moves ahead. Not black folks, not gay
folks, not black gay folks, no one. It’s almost tantamount to saying
“you’ve got your struggles, and I’m sorry for ya, but it has nothing to
do with me.” And that’s a sad, sad perspective to have.
Because what goes on in Mark and Mike or Jane and Jan’s house may not
affect me, but their right to make their relationship official does.
When you squelch the liberties of one group, should it come as a shock
when affirmative action laws are obliterated that help marginalized
blacks and Latinos or create special provision to balance the inequality
against women? Where does it start and stop?
I do want more
black Christian leaders to openly support the President’s declaration
instead of letting their public opinion lie in the mercies of their
congregants. Allowing ultra conservative super Christians to dictate
their public support of gay marriage is just sad. It shows lack of
leadership when, in fact, that is the role every minister and evangelist
and pastor plays. If you’re going to bring the Word, bring the Word.
And the Word says that there is freedom in Jesus. That includes freedom
to love and be loved, and not just the hetero folks.
Opening the
minds of the masses is part of the call of ministry, and that requires
taking a stand, just like President Obama did. It doesn't matter why or
when, election year or not. He did it. Now what we as the black
Christian community are going to do remains to be seen.
Do you think it’s the responsibility of church leaders to take a stand on gay marriage?
If that particular congregation's belief's are that it is morally wrong in their God's eye, then yes.
Pay on to Cesar what belongs to Caesar. Religion has no place in law making. And which God are we to asses the feelings of homosexuality here? There are lots of different gods some of which don't have a problem with man on man or woman on woman relationships. The Church should not have a say.
Quoting EireLass:If that particular congregation's belief's are that it is morally wrong in their God's eye, then yes.
I see why the church has to take a position, it is in the Bible as they interpret it. But to denounce anyone who doesn't agree is wrong! The Bible also teaches tolerance and turning the other cheek,and judge not least ye be judged!
That's why I stated "their God's eye". Not all churches are against homosexuality, etc. And those that are more 'lenient' should take their stand as well.
Quoting Amyinthesky:Pay on to Cesar what belongs to Caesar. Religion has no place in law making. And which God are we to asses the feelings of homosexuality here? There are lots of different gods some of which don't have a problem with man on man or woman on woman relationships. The Church should not have a say.
Quoting EireLass:If that particular congregation's belief's are that it is morally wrong in their God's eye, then yes.
No one is saying gay people have to get married in church, just that they should be able to fill out the paperwork with the state.
Because, at the end of the day, the state marries you, not a religious institution.
"I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief" Gerry Spence
Great article
If churchian leaders don't want the government involved in the church, they should not be in the goverment.
Christians are, according to the MS interpretation of the bible, not a part of this "world".
It's amazing, to me, how they claim this, yet want to insert themselves in all manner of government.
Fair enough.
Quoting EireLass:That's why I stated "their God's eye". Not all churches are against homosexuality, etc. And those that are more 'lenient' should take their stand as well.
Quoting Amyinthesky:Pay on to Cesar what belongs to Caesar. Religion has no place in law making. And which God are we to asses the feelings of homosexuality here? There are lots of different gods some of which don't have a problem with man on man or woman on woman relationships. The Church should not have a say.
Quoting EireLass:If that particular congregation's belief's are that it is morally wrong in their God's eye, then yes.
I kind of do. It's a big issue. You can either come out and be for accepting it, or you can be a cult, who preaches tolerance and love while doing the opposite. I'm in a bad mood right now, I really shouldn't start talking about religion.
Who would you save?
- Cafe Steph
on May. 16, 2012 at 5:54 PM