Sermons Without Stereotypes

[kweerwolf]

It's time for the black church in America to come to terms with homosexuality. Pastors, come down from the pulpit and get to know your choir directors.

No, I'm not saying that all or even most of the choir directors in all or even most of the black churches in the country are gay. I'm just reporting that in my observation, at least, music has long been one of the accepted roles for "confirmed bachelors" in African American congregations. I'm noting that it's fairly common for a preacher to deliver a thundering "Adam and Eve , not Adam and Steve " sermon and then turn to a gay man to lead the church in a rendition of "One Day at a Time."

<snip>

Rev. Wilson, I have nothing but gratitude and praise for all you've done to keep me, my two sons and all African American men off the endangered-species list. But I don't know of any research suggesting that girls -- or boys, for that matter -- can be coerced into becoming homosexual. Everything I've read says that simply isn't the way it works.

The black church in America has long mixed its progressive political activism with a deep social conservatism, and that oil-and-water emulsion has served the community well. That conservatism has included a kind of "don't ask, don't even think about telling" policy where homosexuality is concerned. But if institutions are to remain vibrant and relevant, they have to take notice when the world changes.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/02/AR2005080200306.html

[SeanQuinn]

1. Good, well-written article. nt