Black clergy rejection stirs gay marriage backers

[rodbarnett]

The three major associations of Greater Boston's black clergy, exercising their considerable influence within the minority community and asserting moral authority on civil rights matters, have shaken up the debate over same-sex marriage with their insistence that the quest by gays and lesbians for marriage licenses is not a civil rights issue.

The Black Ministerial Alliance, the Boston Ten Point Coalition, and the Cambridge Black Pastors Conference issued a joint statement this weekend opposing gay marriage.

<snip>

African-American advocates of gay marriage were horrified by the pastors' statement, issued on the weekend before the state constitutional convention at which lawmakers were expected to debate a constitutional amendment to preserve marriage as a heterosexual institution.

"Martin Luther King is rolling over in his grave at a statement like this," said state Representative Byron Rushing, a Boston Democrat and an active Episcopal layman. "They are not acknowledging the responsibility that any people have who have been able to struggle and gain civil rights, which is that you have to then support others who are seeking civil rights."

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2004/02/10/black_clergy_rejection_stirs_gay_marriage_backers/

[Muddleoftheroad]

1. This is unsurprising

Folks here don't like to hear it, but the African-American community is FAR more conservative than they realize -- especially on morality/religious issues.

I have said this before. Gay marriage, though I personally support it quite strongly, is an ideal wedge issue for the right and it WILL hurt us big time.

[drdigi420]

2. why does it matter if they are black?

they are religious

that means you have to take everything they say with a grain of salt, realizing what their motives are

[Rowdyboy]

3. They are religious people who RELIABLY vote Democratic

That's why we need to acknowledge the value of their opinions. If you expect their votes, you need to understand their concerns.

[Muddleoftheroad]

4. Well said

When you say reliably, it's like nine out of 10. If our voters just stay at home in droves, the Dem candidate is sunk.

[skypilot]

5. As a black, gay man...

...I must say that I am thoroughly disgusted with the black clergy in this country. They not only discount gay marriage as a civil rights issue but gay rights in general. I don't know whether or not religiou, black Democratic voters would stay away from the polls altogether if gay marriage were supported by a Democratic candidate but it would be disheartening and very disturbing if they shunned the polls (or voted Republican) over a single issue.

[candy331]

6. Maybe when the same Clergy can

see that fornication, adultery and gay/homosexual are in the same book they claim to reference carry the same treatment they would have been enlightened. Hate, bash, and denigrate gays but commit adultery and fornication themselves is par for the course. I think they better study the good book some more and do as it says rather than pick out the points they don't agree with. Sin according to what I have read in the Bible is an equal opportunity crime and all sins/wrongs according to my reading carry equal weight. I remember in one instance I read in the Bible when the supposedly good folks and religious leaders brought a harlot up to Jesus to be judged guilty of her crime he said "Let he who is w/o sin cast the first stone and they all gradually left. Perhaps the good ministers better spend their time doing the Lords work they claim to be called to do and quit mixing his work with politics.