Why are churches so racially segregated?

I picked up the newspaper yesterday and began reading when I noticed a section of the newspaper that "advertised" Christian churches. I saw some of the ads posted pictures of the pastors or whatever and began to wonder why they would do such a thing. It just seems weird to post a picture of a person in regards to recruiting new members to a religious establishment. Then I began to think of all the Christian persons that frequent my work. We have small groups of church groups come to speak to kids at the juvenile lock up facility in which I work. As I thought about my work, I came to the realization that not one of the groups are racially integrated. They are either all white, all black, or all hispanic. So I guess that those groups advertising for church members in the newspaper are really advertising for their preferred clients(white, black, hispanic,etc..)?

This just does not make sense whatsoever in the context of what Christianity is supposed to be all about....what the heck? Does anyone else sees this as totally illogical when applied to the teachings of the Bible?

 

Ever notice that most wars were over religion?

 

Exactly

 

Yes, most churches are, but you also realize that most races segregate themselves if given the opportunity. I will say my chuch is integrated however, with whites, blacks, and hispanics.

 

That is cool Oneshot. Your church is in the small minority. I went back and looked at some statistics last night and many of the articles I read said only about 5% of all churches are integrated.

 

Not only does the war comment make sense....but, you can whittle that down to Christianity and say this......More people have died in the name of "Christianity", than in all the modern wars - combined.

I've said for years that religion is the ultimate form of class warfare. I've explained that here before. It probably doesn't mean what you think it does.

I'm a Christian. I leave it at that. I'm not born again. I'm not Baptist. I'm not new age.

Your findings, Brett......suprise me zero.

One shining light is, I built Churches, exclusively, for years. That was the most fulfilling work I've ever done. There are some WONDERFUL people who do wonderful things for their Churches. I've met a lot of them.

 

How many women did you see in those pictures?

 

Yes sir.

Reminds me of one of my favorite Ed Abbey quotes:

"The missionaries go forth to Christianize the savages - as if the savages weren't dangerous enough already"

 

Most wars (between the white man) are actually started over money (greed).. or land (greed)... etc etc.

But using religion by a means of getting the masses to join that war is common.

Even religious wars are about greed.. one way or another.

 

Race and religion in one thread...this should be fun. I'll play...

Remember at one time, whites did not allow other races to use the same bathroom, let alone the same church. As a result, other races used church as a "safe place". A place where they made the rules and could exist without persecution. While times are different today, that foundation of church still exist for many blacks and hispanics.

Like Oneshot mentioned, races can and will segregate themselves. Its only natural. I believe some churches would be very open to people of other races, while some would not. This would be true of all races. You still have plenty of whites that feel their race is above all others, and you still have plenty of hispanics and blacks that want one thing for themselves. Something white america can't take from them, a safe haven so to speak.

I live in a fairly racial accepting city. The surrounding areas, not so much, but Grand Rapids is made up of 600,000 people of all races. Grand Rapids, and West Michigan in general, is a very religious area. There are a number of non denominational churches here. I am a former catholic turned agnostic, but if I were to ever "go back", a non denominational church would be my choice. In my experience, they are the most non judgemental people, as a group.

 

Hear. Hear.

 

I've been know to hang out with white people. Even though they sometimes smell funny. :D

(and they tend to wear their shoes in the house... Ugh! Savages!)

I think most of the massive wars have really been about power.

 

Well said Duke.

Like any other group, religion has bad apples. Take hunting for instance. Look whats reported in the news, or even bring up gun hunting here and you'll get a bunch of examples of broken people doing stupid things. Our troops overseas, you still hear more bad than good.

Couple all of this with the fact that religion is meant (and should be) an aspect of every part of your life. Christianity is not like the NFL. Show up to watch the game on Sunday and then spend the rest of the week talking about how good or bad someone else did or is doing. No, religion is meant to guide and support us in everything we do. How we interact with people, how we spend out time, how we spend our money, etc.

Now try telling someone that they are doing their whole life wrong. How would that (did that?) work out. That's a big part of why its a touchy subject, and it plays right into one of our (or at least my) biggest weaknesses, PRIDE.

Here's where most Christians go wrong. We tend to try and make people change... and that's not how it works. Everyone is broken, ever since Adam & Eve sinned in the Garden. But we can't fix each other, heck, I can't even fix myself. There are so many things about my life and my self that I would love to change, but I can't... no matter how hard I try.

That's where Jesus comes in. It's his job to change people, inspire people, heal people, save people, and bring us together. The way I see it, the Church's job to to take the hand of the broken and introduce them to Christ, not tell everyone what they're doing wrong, or condemning people, or trying to place a checklist to follow.

Now to be more on topic to the OP, yes, it is sad that we tend to drift to the comfortable. Races divide, but no more than ages or income in many churches. That's not religion, that's human. It's a comfort thing. The irony is that Christ has no interest in your social comfort! Look at the people he was hanging out with, tax collectors, fishermen, tent builders, women (who at the time were not legally citizens), the old, the young, those who were rich, and those with nothing to give. Do you think it was comfortable for these folks to hang out together? Most likely, only when Jesus was the focus. Physical and social comfort was not a priority for the Disciples who followed Jesus more closely that any. Most were martyred.

The diversity of Christ's followers in his day is the picture of what Churches should (and some do) look like. See, with Christ at the center, I don't care if you're a Packer fan, or a doctor, or black, or old. What's important is that we support each other in an unattainable goal, to be like Christ.

Sorry for the long rant, but this just sparked something in me. I have just a couple more things to say.

First to the Un-Churched or recovering Churched - I know it's hard but read the bible for yourself. Just the New Testament or event the 1st 4 books (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Find a good translation so you don't spendith all fortnight trying to figure out what the heck is being said. Pay attention to the words of Jesus in particular. Now this is the hard part, pray before you read. Nothing fancy, no magic words, something simple and non-committal like, "Jesus, I'm trying to find out more about you, please help quite my mind so I can further understand what I'm about to read," You'll be surprised how often the 4000 year old stories in those 4 books can speak directly to something in your life.

Now, for the Churched - Have a bigger heart and thicker skin! We don't all look alike, talk alike, think alike, or act alike. That's the way it is supposed to be. Read the bible. Pray before you do. We don't change people, Christ does, it's his job, not yours. Our job is to teach people (including ourselves and those in the church already) how to have an active relationship with Jesus. Active, not comfortable, not convenient, not once a week! You need to take Risks to grow in Christ. Now when you share your faith, it's not an "us vs. them" thing. Be yourself. Speak your words. Quoting bible verses might impress your Sunday School teacher, but to most it kinda looks like you can't think for yourself (this is where the thick skinned part comes in)

Ok, I'm done for now. Sorry again....

 

Well said Duke.

Life was never intended to be about religion. Life is about God, Jesus, and His Word...period! Religion is just another way man is snared by sin. It is only by the grace of God that any of us are forgiven.

C

 

Like was said before, people tend to segregate naturally. Lots of time its because of language, other times it's more about who you are most comfortable around. Churches grow by friends inviting friends and so on. I don't think it is by design, just kinda migrates that way.

 

Excellent points Fitz.

There is so much truth in your words my brother...thank you.

C

 

same here, we go to one (non denominational) and we really like it.

 

I recently posted in another thread on this forum that I don't care for the term Christian, but rather I call myself a follower of Christ. The term Christian has lost most of it's meaning in the country. I don't dispute most of the things stated in this tread about religion causing death and destruction.

The Bible says in James 1:27 that "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

Humans have a way of twisting things into what we want. It is unfortunate that other humans will use this as an excuse to reject Truth.

 

Well said.

 

Not picking on you, stuntriders, but this is one of my "issues" with religion, christianity, etc. Finding a reason to separate yourself from others. I don't necessarily disagree with your reason, but one of the biggest turnoffs towards religion for me is people thinking they are better than others.

Again, just my opinion. I'm not into separating people into groups. Well, except for those lowly gun hunters. Everyone knows bowhunters are better.