Why are churches so racially segregated?

I understand where you are coming from Jeff. Really, I do. I had a long search which involved many unfulfilling experiences, with almost every "denomination" before I experienced a real change. And oh what a change it has been. As I said before though, its hard for me to explain, although I try to do my best when asked questions, but I know what I have living in me. I try my best to be obedient to God's word (KJV) and submit myself to His will.

 

catholic priest and children... And how the catholic church has handled this from the pope on down.

 

To all my brothers, as Jesus does, I love ya all. Good read, again we are all sinners and Jesus died for us all, he turns his back on no one, only we can turn our back on him. I know because I have done it too many times in my life and he has always brought me back. I'm headed to bed, gonna tuck my boys into bed, pray with them, tell them how proud of them that I am, then hang out with my wonderful wife and remind her of how fortunate I am to be married to her and finish the evening off, praying to the Lord above to be with my mother and for his will to be done.

 

AMEN!

 

For those of you who really enjoy diving into God's word, I would encourage you to look into the Logos software. It is absolutely AMAZING! The amount of information at your fingertips will blow your mind. Comparing the King James, to the New International, to the Hebrew instantly all side by side (and that's the very basic fun). There are literally 1000s of books at your fingertips. Dictionaries, translators, bible studies, historical and cultural books, books on small groups, effective teaching.... the list is endless.

We got Logos 4 last winter, and I'm only scratching the surface of what it can do. I still sit down with my Bible for regular time with His Word, but wow, what a tool to have. Check it out.

 

sorry this took me so long to get into the mix, was really trying to figure out what i wanted to say/how to say it...

growing up going to catholic church (MOM) and the kingdom hall – jehovah witness (DAD) it was very much racially divided, i would hear whispers from both sides as to what people thought of us (my sister and i). we felt love equally from both parents and for the most part both churches. but we felt more comfortable at the hall for the simple fact that more people looked like me there.

as i got older i left both churches and adopted a non-denominational approach to religion, christian if you will and is where i remain today.

picking a place to worship can be very difficult, much like picking people to hunt with. you would like them to have your sort of views, beliefs and ways of life.

can i make the reference to hunting camps? how many camps/people would i (a black man) be welcomed into across the states? of the people on this site i'd say all! that makes me smile and thats why im here. but how many folks out there have heard folks using derogatory racial terms talking like that in and around the hunting camp, bait shops, at holidays with relatives etc??? guess what im saying is that I don’t feel welcome everywhere and a white person may not feel welcome in a black church or all black hunting camp (because things might be said, or were said before that person showed) who wants to be around that, white, black, red or yellow????

Bottom line is in the house of the LORD we should all feel welcome, and when i find myself in a predominately white congregation in a place of worship i concentrate on that.

when i got old enough i was hearing that from both churches. "what is that white woman doing with those black kids in our catholic church?”, and "you know those light-skinned kids at the hall on Tuesdays?…. i'll bet they got a white momma"

i ended up choosing a church that had mixed race families, where I felt most comfortable. i choose my hunting friends because of who they are and how they treat others regardless if im around or not, who I feel most comfortable hunting and having fun with.

I feel comfortable on this site

 

you'd always be welcome in my church or camp Isaiah...

 

I also want to give a big thumbs up to the entire board for keeping this thread civil and respectful... a very difficult thing to do with both religion and political threads!!!

 

haaaaaaaaaaaa preciate ya!

 

You'd be welcome at my camp anytime Isaiah. I could always use an NFL sized guy to help me drag and hang deer.

 

Isaiah,

Your prespective in invaluable. Thanks for sharing.

I don't have a hunting camp but you're welcome to hunt public land with me any day. I know the area I hunt fairly well and I have a few stands set up in a number of proven spots. I also have a LW mobile unit I set up as needed. All you have to do is show up with your bow.

Best wishes to you and yours.

God bless!

C

 

Isaiah, I appreciate your honesty. I know it is not easy to talkl about, but THANK you for doing so my friend. For people in a church of all places to judge others not on their behavior but on things like a white woman married to a black guy type of thing is just plain RIDICULOUS. It sickens me.

 

I am glad.

 

so very much THIS!

of all the people in the world, Christians that are bigots are among the lowest forms of life... they reduce a wonderful walk with god and communion with their brothers/sisters in christ to a place that was never meant for god or his people

 

thanks yall, its hasnt been a real prob for me in my lifetime as much as for my pops in the 70's in and around the hunting community. i credit his personality (can get along with anyone) and his diversity in the outdoors (thanks US ARMY). we would be in local taverns/restaurants or weigh stations and we'd just leave and head to the next one if crap started. but overwhelming amount of great folk was the majority.

i love this site and as more than a friendship i love my fellow hunters!!!!

 

Michigan has a lot of rural areas, and you're right, the deragatory references towards all non-white races isn't the best. Most of it is ignorance, but still uncomfortable. My wife doesn't get to enjoy the beauty that northern Michigan has to offer because a lot of the people make her nervous. She certainly doesn't feel welcome everywhere. She went to the UP with me once, that was an interesting experience. I don't think she has ever been stared at so much in her life. Lets just say she isn't excited to go back anytime soon.

We live in a city that is pretty accepting to all races, and that is a big part of why we live here.

How often did white people ask to touch your hair as a kid? That seems to be the most common question when people meet my kids. Its a little bizarre.

 

hair, more than i can count, its like im a mascott! wtf!!!

 

My wife grew up in a mostly white (probably 99%) area, so she wasn't surprised by this. After the first few times, I said something like "Why the heck does everyone want to feel our kids' hair?"...her answer was jokingly, "I don't know, you white people are weird." :D

My wife is 33, and people still ask to feel her hair. I guess she is just used to it.

 

Dude, this is so true. Still healing from a horrible "church" experience. Sucks...

 

Thats pretty weird man and maybe disrespectful! Its like they're saying, "Oh, you're black....let me touch your hair." Just seems a little rude to me.