RACISM IN THE CHURCH
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Terry and Susie Graham
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Fred Price Triggers Debate Over Racism
Los Angeles pastor focuses his national television
program on racial tension in the church
Frederick K.C. Price, pastor of the 16,000-member Crenshaw Christian
Center in Los Angeles, believes racism is alive and well in charismatic
churches in the 1990s. That's why he began televising a lengthy series of
sermons on "Race, Religion and Racism" on his Ever Increasing Faith
program, which is aired on Trinity Broadcasting Network affiliates and
other stations.
To illustrate that racism permeates churches today, Price has played
portions of an audiotaped sermon by a prominent Christian leader--whom
Price does not name. On the tape the unnamed pastor says it's OK for
Christian parents to teach their children that they shouldn't date people of
other races.
Price says this position is not biblical--and he's calling Christians to
reexamine the issue.
"I'm not angry at any individual, and I'm not angry at any group of people,"
Price announced on the air. "I'm really angry that the church hasn't done
anything about this situation [of racism]."
Price contends that American churches remain segregated because whites
have believed since the days of slavery that they are the superior race. For
whites to believe that teaching against interracial marriage is acceptable is
a continuation of the "superiority" premise, Price believes.
"Now I know that doesn't include everyone," Price told his huge TV
audience recently. "But it includes too many of you. And too many of you
don't say anything--which makes you accessories after the fact."
In his sermon series, Price says God created only one race--"or one
blood"--as mentioned in Acts 17:26--and that skin color is determined
simply by the level of melanin.
"You can give (blood) transfusions to any racial group from any other
racial group with comparable blood type because there is only one human
race," Price said. "There is no other race, so all the bloods can intermix."
Price also cites Romans 2:10-11 as proof that Christians cannot show
partiality toward one another.
Price says he is not promoting or encouraging interracial marriage, but he
is defending anyone's right to marry someone of a different color. "God
doesn't have a problem with it. Why do you?" he asked.
The series of sermons--and Price's bold treatment of the subject--have
caused Christians in recent months to grapple with the subject of interracial
marriage.
Even though Price does not name the pastor heard on the tape, many
viewers have recognized the voice as that of Kenneth Hagin Jr., pastor of
the 5,000-member Rhema Bible Church in Tulsa, Okla. But neither Price
nor Hagin would grant for-the-record interviews to Charisma. Hagin holds
to an official policy of not responding publicly to criticism.
On the audiotape--which was recorded more than five years ago--Hagin
describes a situation in which he found one of his children playing with a
black child.
"We just talked to [our child] and said, 'Hey, look, we're friends. We play.
We go together as a group. But we do not date one another." In another
segment of the tape, he said: "I don't think we ought to mix any of the
races. That's my personal opinion, OK?"
On the audiotape, Hagin said he addressed the issue of interracial marriage
because parents at Rhema Bible Church were upset that their children
were dating interracially. Both black and white parents had come to him
for advice, he said.
A group of black ministers who were offended by Hagin's remarks took
the tapes to Price in 1992. Because of Price's long-standing partnership
with Kenneth Hagin Ministries, the ministers asked Price to confront
Hagin.
Price has been a staunch financial supporter of Rhema Bible College since
he founded Crenshaw Christian Center in 1973. The church sits on the
former 32-acre campus of Pepperdine University, where Price built the
10,000-seat Faith Dome. The former campus is also home to his television
ministry.
Price says he wrote a seven-page letter to Kenneth Hagin Sr. about his
son's statements but did not get a satisfactory response. A further letter
seeking a retraction also failed to achieve results, so Price stands firm on
his decision to sever his relationship with the Hagins.
"I confronted this brother with it," Price announced on television. "I was
forced to withdraw fellowship. I hated it! But principle means more to me
than friendship."
Even though Hagin Jr. has made no official statement about this
controversy, he has answered Rhema supporters who inquired about it.
In one letter, he said he has tried to apologize to Price and has apologized
publicly and to his church. Hagin also points out that Rhema Church's
policy is to marry mature couples after counseling, no matter what their
race. And he notes that key members of his pastoral staff are black.
"If people would just take a look at the fruit of this ministry and would talk
to people who know me...they would understand that I am definitely not a
racist, nor am I a bigot in any way," Hagin said in the letter. "If I could take
the words back, I would...but I can't. I can only apologize for having said
them and pray that the hurt and confusion will be healed."
But Price says Hagin's apologies fall short because he refuses to recant his
view that it is acceptable for Christian parents to discourage interracial
marriage.
One of those who has gotten involved in the controversy is Carlton
Pearson, pastor of Higher Dimensions Ministries in Tulsa, Okla. Pearson,
an African American, is a close friend of Hagin's.
"As an African American, I understand the hurt, disillusionment and anger
Dr. Price is apparently experiencing in regard to the ugly and tenacious
persistence of racism within the church," Pearson said. "It is my strong
feeling that Christians must learn to be confrontive without being
combative." Pearson said he believes disagreements between Christian
leaders should be handled privately.
But Price insists that his seeming combativeness on the issue of racism is
really righteous anger. "[Racism and slavery] never could have existed
without the consent of the church," Price says. "That's what makes me
angry."
--Billy Bruce
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LDavis
In detail please, where in the Bible is it taught that we should date
other races? If what the parents were teaching was just that, that it
would be best for people to date (ie: marry) people of the same race,
what could possibly be wrong with that? However, if a parent or anyone
taught that you should not date or marry anyone from another race
because your race is better etc. etc. then that changes things, that
would be wrong.
I too know about racism in church. One of my earlist memories was
singing Jesus Loves Me, red and yellow black and white, etc. but there
was only white kids there. Not only that, another memory, we would,
still do take up offerings in church to pay for missionaries to go to
Africa to preach to black people, even when I was a very small child, I
knew that was crazy, because we wouldnt even preach to the black people
down the street. Some still dont. We have a long way to go, but
interracial dating is not gonna make or break the problem.
James A. Sledd
LDavis (LDa...@worldnet.att.net) wrote:
: because your race is better
is implicit in the intstruction not to date members of another race;
that's what's wrong with that.
--
James Sledd
email: jsl...@ssc.upenn.edu http://www.ssc.upenn.edu/~jsledd
phone: (215) 898 6744 fax: (215) 898 7769
Joseph T. Adams
James A. Sledd (jsl...@psci.sas.upenn.edu) wrote:
:
: : because your race is better
: is implicit in the intstruction not to date members of another race;
: that's what's wrong with that.
Sometimes that is the case, but not always. Some would argue that
people of differing races should not marry (and therefore should not
date) because of the prejudice that they and their children will have
to encounter. I can understand that concern, and I don't see anything
about it that necessarily implies the attitude of racial superiority.
Personally, I have no problem with interracial dating and I'm pretty
sure God doesn't either (see Numbers 12). I think the blessings of a
Christ-centered marriage far outweigh the difficulties that an
interracial couple and their children might experience. Those
difficulties are real, and ought to be considered, but they certainly
don't justify a blanket condemnation of interracial dating. I trust
that God, and the couple involved, are far better equipped to
determine what's best for them than I am.
Joe
Bruce Alderman
On 21 Apr 1998 22:28:19 -0400,
LDavis <LDa...@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
> In detail please, where in the Bible is it taught that we should
> date other races?
Since "dating" is a concept foreign to the world in which the Bible
was written, the Bible doesn't address this issue directly. But
Galatians 3:28 says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek," erasing the
boundaries between the two races.
> If what the parents were teaching was just that, that it would be
> best for people to date (ie: marry) people of the same race, what
> could possibly be wrong with that?
It *is* best to date people of the same race: the human race.
Racial division has no place in the church.
> We have a long way to go, but interracial dating is not gonna make
> or break the problem.
Any form of racism is a sin. It is not okay to promote sin in "minor"
areas. We have a long way to go, and we will not get there by
justifying sinfulness.
--
Bruce Alderman b...@southwind.net
http://www2.southwind.net/~baa
Christianity is not just a set of beliefs; it is a way of life.
--
James Jackson
Joseph T. Adams (j...@apk.net) wrote:
: Sometimes that is the case, but not always. Some would argue that
: people of differing races should not marry (and therefore should not
: date) because of the prejudice that they and their children will have
: to encounter.
You're right. Some people do use this as a reason for not marrying other
races. But I don't think this argument holds up in light of Christianity.
Christians are told to be the salt and the light of the world and that
the world will hate you for your beliefs. To not do something that you
believe is right because some people may not like it is not a valid reason
for not doing it in my opinion, especially from a Christian viewpoint.
: Personally, I have no problem with interracial dating and I'm pretty
: sure God doesn't either (see Numbers 12). I think the blessings of a
: Christ-centered marriage far outweigh the difficulties that an
: interracial couple and their children might experience. Those
: difficulties are real, and ought to be considered, but they certainly
: don't justify a blanket condemnation of interracial dating. I trust
: that God, and the couple involved, are far better equipped to
: determine what's best for them than I am.
I agree with you completely. I am white and my wife of six years is black
and we have been blessed by the Lord with a tremendous love for each
other. We have never had any prejudice directed at us as far as we know.
My mom had a little trouble at first but she now likes my wife better than
she likes me ;> My dad accepts everybody and was happy for me. We've had
many people tell us that they have been encouraged by our marriage (and
not just because its interracial).
Sadly, there are enough same-race marriages out there failing. As you so
eloquently pointed out, I think the key to a great marriage lies in
keeping it Christ-centered, at least for Christians :) that is.
James Jackson
: Joe
J.M. Rob Mariner
Bruce Alderman wrote:
>
> Since "dating" is a concept foreign to the world in which the Bible
> was written, the Bible doesn't address this issue directly. But
> Galatians 3:28 says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek," erasing the
> boundaries between the two races.
>
> > If what the parents were teaching was just that, that it would be
> > best for people to date (ie: marry) people of the same race, what
> > could possibly be wrong with that?
>
> It *is* best to date people of the same race: the human race.
>
> Racial division has no place in the church.
>
> > We have a long way to go, but interracial dating is not gonna make
> > or break the problem.
>
> Any form of racism is a sin. It is not okay to promote sin in "minor"
> areas. We have a long way to go, and we will not get there by
> justifying sinfulness.
Right you are, Bruce. Don't just preach it. Live it!
I am half of a thirty-year (so far) "inter-racial" marriage. Neither of
us was "looking for" a person of another color or culture, nor were we
limiting ourselves to someone of the same color or culture. Since most
people grow up with, go to school with, even go to church with people of
their own race, color, language, culture, social background and economic
standing, most romantic relationships will continue to spring from these
same homogenous groups. But some engagements and marriages with
partners from different races or backgrounds do, and will continue to,
happen.
Our three "TechniColor" children are now grown and have in no way
suffered as a result. Why? A Christ-centered marriage emphasises the
one true, human, race.
Rob Mariner
mar...@coqui.net
MGhounem
The Answer to end Racism is simple.
I am suprized after All these decades of Racism in Christianity, you do not
learn from the Muslims why Muslims do not have Racism.
The Answer is right in fornt of you.
Muslims believe in Jesus and do not judge someone by the color of their skin,
why is that?
The difference and secret ingrediant that Muslims have and Christians don't is
simple.
Black Christians think that Jesus is Black.
White Christians think that Jesus is White.
Black and White Muslims don't care what color Jesus was!
Further more, the Prophet Muhammad says it is a sin to even portray what the
Prophets or God looks like.
As a result, Muslims don't even think about it.
On the otherhand, becuase modern Christians do not consider it a sin to portray
(have pictures of) Jesus, then the focus is on the color and the segragation
begins.
The white Jesus makes blacks feel less divine, the black Jesus is considered
blasphmy and even threating to white Christians.
No Pictures=No Problems.
This may seem simplistic but it works for about 1.5 Billion Muslims who believe
in Jesus world wide.
Black and white Muslims pray shoulder to shoulder, toe to toe world wide and
bow togeter to the God of Abraham. One Book, One God, One Language, In Unison
worshiping directly to God, too in love with God to be concerned about a color.
Peace and Blessings,
Your Brother in Islam: Mohamed
Joseph T. Adams
MGhounem (mgho...@aol.com) wrote:
: The Answer to end Racism is simple.
The answer is simple, yes. The human heart, sadly, is not. We are
all bound by sin, or at least by being in a sinful world, at least for
now.
: Black Christians think that Jesus is Black.
: White Christians think that Jesus is White.
A few, perhaps, but the great majority of Christians I know, which
includes both Blacks and Whites and many others, know that Jesus was
Jewish, and, hence, neither white nor black. As my Middle Eastern
friends like to point out, His skin color, if it matters, was probably
quite similar to theirs. :)
: Black and White Muslims don't care what color Jesus was!
I'd say that is true of most Christians I know as well.
There are a few cults in the U.S. including the KKK, "Christian
Identity," and a few others, which attempt to justify racism from
Scripture. The great majority of Christians here however, from the
most liberal to the most traditional to the most "fundamentalist,"
recognize racism as something that is wrong and contrary to God's will.
: Further more, the Prophet Muhammad says it is a sin to even portray what the
: Prophets or God looks like.
:
: As a result, Muslims don't even think about it.
The same is true of many Christians, many of whom feel uncomfortable
with the idea of portraying Jesus as a white Anglo-Saxon male who'd
have felt very out of place in Palestine.
: On the otherhand, becuase modern Christians do not consider it a sin to portray
: (have pictures of) Jesus, then the focus is on the color and the segragation
: begins.
We don't know what Jesus looked like, and therefore any attempt to
portray His likeness is going to be flawed. With all due respect to
others who may feel differently, I think that to create and honor a
"picture of Jesus" which doesn't look anything like Him is perilously
close to the making of graven images, which brought so much grief to
ancient Israel, not to mention the lands around them.
As for segregation, this was one of many evils that were cultural in
nature, but defended from Scripture as though God somehow had taught
this. Some people tried to justify even more serious crimes, such as
the Inquisitions and the Holocaust, from Scripture as well. Just
about anything can be justified from Scripture, if you ignore what it
says except where it is convenient. That doesn't make it right.
: The white Jesus makes blacks feel less divine, the black Jesus is considered
: blasphmy and even threating to white Christians.
:
: No Pictures=No Problems.
I think that makes a certain amount of sense. I do not have "pictures
of Christ." I have no idea what He looked like other than that He was
a Jewish carpenter from what is now Israel. It doesn't matter to me
what He looked like, but, rather, Who He is and what He did.
Now, for those who do have what they call pictures of Christ, I don't
wish to judge or condemn them. Obviously, they see things differently
than I do. Some would say it helps their devotion to Him. Since my
own devotion to Him is far less than it ought to be, I am in no place
to tell them they are mistaken. I would however urge them to search
the Scriptures (as one ought to do anyway) and make sure they can
reconcile the practice in their own minds with what God has revealed.
: This may seem simplistic but it works for about 1.5 Billion Muslims who believe
: in Jesus world wide.
:
: Black and white Muslims pray shoulder to shoulder, toe to toe world wide and
: bow togeter to the God of Abraham. One Book, One God, One Language, In Unison
: worshiping directly to God, too in love with God to be concerned about a color.
So do Black and White Christians, as well as those of many other races
- through perhaps not to the extent that they should. The U.S. is very
racially segregated for historical reasons, and local churches tend to
reflect this. But various Christian groups including Promise
Keepers have been adamant about breaking down the racial barriers that
keep Christians separate. Many churches hold joint worship services
togehter with other churches from across town, for the very purpose of
promoting racial reconciliation and healing. Racism has been a
problem in the U.S. ever since its inception, but many Christians
believe that working for reconciliation and healing is a big part of
God's will for our nation. I'd imagine this is true in many other
places as well.
Joe
Awake97105
In article <6i3had$6cb$1...@geneva.rutgers.edu>, j...@apk.net (Joseph T. Adams)
writes:
> Racism has been a
>problem in the U.S. ever since its inception, but many Christians
>believe that working for reconciliation and healing is a big part of
>God's will for our nation. I'd imagine this is true in many other
>places as well.
>
>
Amen, brother!
I made the same point when a similar issue came up in
alt.culture.african.american.history (although perhaps not as well). It could
be
added that racism appears in other religious groups and sects and has nothing
to do with Jesus' teachings.
May His Name be praised, hallelujah!
Barry
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a
harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do
good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
--Gal. 6:9-10 (NIV)