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by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Your Black Bloggers
The peculiar debate that has emerged within the black church since President Obama announced his support for gay marriage is intriguing, to say the least. On one hand, you’ve got Rev. Al Sharpton and other pastors who are close to the president working hard to put out the political fire. On the other hand, you’ve got pastors such as Jamal Bryant, who are expressing extreme disappointment in the president’s remarks.
What baffles me about the conversation, however, is why everyone seems so shocked that the president expressed his support for gay marriage in the first place.
Let’s think about this for a second. President Obama is a Democrat and a liberal. Liberals come in pretty much the same package: They favor a woman’s right to choose, they fight for labor unions, they want healthcare for everyone, they want gun control, they love protecting the environment and they hate Guantanamo Bay. Most importantly, they favor gay rights in general, including the right to marry. That’s why the vast majority of gay Americans happen to be members of the Democratic Party.
So, what’s with all the outrage over President Obama’s announcement? Did his arm-waving in the church convince you that he somehow disagreed with the right of gay citizens to marry?
After swimming in a big pool of my own confusion, I then thought about my experience within the black church. My father is a pastor and my mother probably should be. In this experience, I’ve noticed that there is a “stop snitching,” code of silence in the black church when it comes to being gay. As I mentioned in a previous article, it’s OK to be gay in the black church, as long as you don’t put all of your business on “Front Street.”
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Majumba
May 16, 2012 at 8:07 pm
As a Pastor of a Baptist Congregation here in New York. I don’t see why there is and issue with the church {Black or white}. Morality Vs. Legality. My Saviour God in the person of Jesus , said Judge not and you will not be judged. Give unto Ceasar {The Gov’t} what is rightly his the law of the land. Give unto God {the truth}what is His.I have relatives who are Gay. Will I perform a ceremony? No. Why? Obama says yes, God says No. Who’s report will I believe? God. Separation of Church and State. Seems even God is happy with that.
Patrick Sanders
May 13, 2012 at 2:51 pm
He can still Preside as President without redefining marriage! Seems somehow 43 other Presidents were able to, why couldn’t He…Jesus is no longer physically operating in the earth HE has left his disciples to do His bidding…but we must do that in Love without compromising His word, we are not add to nor take away, the President stood as a Christian adding to what the word says about marriage, in that he was wrong…
Maty Roberts
May 13, 2012 at 11:41 am
No. He is the president; he has to be able to discern and govern the stance of All U.S. citizens; regardless to what we, the church believes. Gay people are and will be part of society; law makers has to be able to make laws that include them. Homosexuality is not the Christians fight; it is the Lords fight. Christians need to fight for the things that concerns their faith. For instance, one woman got prayer taken out of the schools; where were the Christians? There are some issues that are The Lords business. Anything that has to do with an individuals will is Gods business. Christians are to pray for God to intervene. Anything that will affect the individuals faith is what Christians should fight about. The Lord dies not need Christians to fight His battles; He need for us to pray and believe that He will move in His own timing.
Kimbirly Mack
May 13, 2012 at 11:34 am
This “discourse” that has occurred in the Black community among some (due to POTUS’s “comment/s”) has been thoroughly enjoyable…a hoot…we are our own best enemies and continue to be…we need to come correct…let’s continue to call each other up on the carpet…Divide..and Conquer many might be saying…
Debbie Hicks
May 13, 2012 at 11:16 am
Was there “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy at the black church??? This is why I am sitting here right now, and choice to work on Sundays….Black People, not the “black church” are so hypocritical….We need to be discussing why OUR kids aren’t getting educations and why OUR young black males are killing one another….
Patrick Sanders
May 13, 2012 at 11:06 am
So now each church should just make it up as we go? That’s sick and twisted!
Donna Fisher
May 13, 2012 at 10:59 am
Any church that would have a policy that anyone should not speak her or his truth is sick and twisted.
Patrick Sanders
May 13, 2012 at 10:50 am
God never called us to go about detecting s****l preference but to preach the gospel to everyone, and they can only hear if there at church! So of course it’s don’t ask don’t tell…and to the President …uhhh so we rewriting scripture now??
Prenita Garner
May 13, 2012 at 10:44 am
U better know for yourself.
Bernard Timberlake II
May 13, 2012 at 10:43 am
You would think that the President signed an executive order by all of the hoopla that his “comments” on this has caused. War, the economy, and even speculative gas prices has taken a backseat. To a “Comment “
Trish Walker
May 13, 2012 at 10:32 am
I agree Sonya, are we (black people) still trippin’?? I really don’t see it as an issue.
Sonya Satterwhite Kelley
May 13, 2012 at 10:27 am
In my church, I don’t have to ask cause you can clearly tell who is!! Anyhoo, who cares!