Black Christians Struggle Over N.C. Gay Marriage Ban

[brooklynite]

NPR:

North Carolina's African-American voters could be crucial in Tuesday's vote over the proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage and civil unions. Blacks make up a little more than 20 percent of the state's population, and some polls show they strongly favor a ban.

While activists on both sides make phone calls and put up yard signs, many African-Americans are struggling with the issue inside their churches and homes.

Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Spearman is pastor of an African Methodist Episcopal Zion church in the town of Hickory, in North Carolina's Appalachian foothills. Slender and 61, he's a man who chooses his words carefully.

"Many African-Americans — and it would be very true of my own family of origin — have what I would consider homophobic ideations," he says.

Here's a simple solution to their qualms: Let people "live in sin" now, and they can let God sort it out in the afterlife...

[nanabugg]

1. It's a form of denial. Many AA families have gays with strong relationships.

They just are uncomfortable with admitting it.

[angee_is_mad]

2. This is what happened yesterday

in my hometown:http://t.co/2nMXcaup

I'm a black woman who is ACTIVE in the black community and what the preachers and community leaders are doing is clarifying that A1 ISN'T just about Gay marriage which is already illegal but how it will affect EVERYONE.

This is what should have been done in the beginning. I've heard pastors was using the example of grandmothers raising their grand babies and how this passage will negatively affect benefits.
Don't know if you have been in a black church but it is filled with older Black women and some of those women are raising their kids kids for whatever reason.


Oh and this npr article is some bullsh&t! If A1 passes the black community can not be blamed.

[xchrom]

3. African Americans didn't come up w/ Ammendment 1.

African Americans need and are asking - why is the bigoted, white religious community so interested in our votes now?

This is a Trick that hopefully will be seen through.

[MrScorpio]

4. Sunday is STILL the most segregated day of the week in this country

It would be very good for Black churches to step away from the bigoted path of the White religious community.

[mmonk]

6. ALEC members of the newly minted Republican legislature did.

They have a divide and conquer strategy on everything.

[mmonk]

5. Some very prominent preachers in the AA community are for it.

The NAACP has been trying to help in countering the preachers but it's been uphill. There has been some breaking our way (against) in the final days but not may be enough in time. Wish we had one more week.