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Aug 1, 2003 The Bishop has a plan, according to the Shreveport Times, to pay Whaite folk to attend his church services. Bishop Caldwell, of Greenwood Acres Full Gospel Baptist Church, wants to bring the races together for church services because Sunday is, indeed, a very segregated day. Those who attend church do, as a rule, gravitate toward congregations which match their skin- color. As you may have guessed, Bishop Caldwell, like most of his congregation, is Black. The Bishop said he got the idea of paying White folk to attend his services after reading a parable, told by Jesus, in which God is portrayed as the Owner of a farm Who pays to have His crop harvested. In the parable, those who worked all day and those who only worked part of the day, all receive the same amount of pay. The amount given to each was a tad above the amount needed to survive just another day. All the workers' needs were met with the same mercy, regardless of status. In the secular world people are paid according to their status, but payment rates are different in the Kingdom of God. So, what does this have to do with paying White folk to attend Black services? Nothing. The Bishop seems to have missed the point of the parable, and that alone would cause me to shy away from his services. What other corny conclusions might he draw from the Scriptures? The best, and most telling, responses to this payment plan came from a professor at Centenary College, and from a congregant of the Bishop's church. While Professor Peter Huff didn't think the Bishop's plan was a great idea, he did commend him for broaching the issue of segregation. Professor Huff correctly observes that conventional methods of bringing Blacks and Whites together on Sunday morning have not worked. This failure of convention tells us something about the underlying problems. Black church goers and White church goers just may not have a common world-view; this includes each group's approach to the Scriptures. Professor Huff says that racial divisions still exist despite "all of the best motives". Well, what do motives matter when actions, practices and results overwhelm the senses, and polarize even the most harmonious of souls? The Professor then seems to put all of his chips on the table when he says, "Just showing people that racism conflicts with the Gospel seems not to be enough". Enough for what? Does he mean by that remark that Whites who don't attend Black churches are racist, or are the Blacks who attend Black churches also racist? Maybe he means that Whites who don't attend church are racist if they don't attend Black churches ... in their hearts. Maybe he's throwing words up against the wall to see what sticks. Whatever the Professor means to say, he does admit that there is a Gospel, but does he assume the Gospel is proclaimed at the Bishop's church? Maybe the Bishop does with the Gospel what he does with parables! Then there is the Congregant named Criss Williams. Criss is White and attends the Bishop's services. She believes that some White folk have the impression that the Bishop doesn't love Whites. Why she believes this, she does not say. Like the Professor, her remarks seem to be without context; just a thought in mid-air. The flavor, however, is unmistakable --- Whites don't like going to Black churches, don't trust the Black Leadership, and may lay aside their racism if paid to do so. Imagine not only being racist, but venal also. Finally, the Congregant makes a statement that one can get a handle on. Criss Williams voices her appreciation for Bishop Caldwell because he "will address even the most sensitive issues from the pulpit." Well, this should not be doubted, and is a truth beyond debate. I've heard many a Black Preacher address issues from the pulpit, that every Preacher should be expected to address. Yet, before Criss thinks her Bishop overly brave, she must remember that Black Preachers are allowed to say whatever they want from the pulpit. It is usually in defense of Liberal, Socialist, Democrat, Pro-Choice, Pro- Tax, Pro-Minority ideas. (Hey, I think I know why White folk may shy away from the Black church!) White Preachers, on the other hand, are an unprotected class. If the 501 c3 slaves address our social and National corruption, they will feel the wrath of the Established State-Church. White Preachers are muzzled, and this may be the best argument for White folk attending Black churches. Although they may be un-Biblical, and even immoral, at least Whites can hear National issues addressed from the Black pulpit. As for the Gospel Message, read your Bibles while you're still allowed to own the 'hate-filled' text. ------------ About the author: Joe Magoo is trained as a Theologian and Church Historian. He resides on Long Island, N.Y. He's in love with Ann Coulter, but she's seven feet tall, and Joe is only Five-Five. Email: joe572001us@yahoo.com Comment on this column in the forum. Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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