Dems cry foul over church’s decision to move meeting; pastor denies race was a concern

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

Look at the ugly ol' south, who said it's over?

Dems cry foul over church’s decision to move meeting; pastor denies race was a concern

Jan 6, 2010

ELIZABETHTOWN — A meeting and dinner scheduled for Friday at Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church by the 7th Congressional District Democratic leadership was forced to change locations, allegedly because church members were concerned about the “racial makeup” of the gathering.

Melvin Williams, chairman of the 7th Congressional District Democratic Party, sent an e-mail out on Wednesday to the Democratic Party members in the area which stated, “When (Tuesday’s) Bladen Journal announced that our 7th District Leadership Dinner would be held at the Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church, there was a firestorm of protest from church members who did not want an organization with our racial makeup to use their church.”

The meeting was to be an effort to allow local Democrats the chance to meet three candidates who want to challenge Republican U.S. Senator Richard Burr for his seat. Those candidates are Secretary of State Elaine Marshall of Wilson, attorney Cal Cunningham of Lexington and attorney Kenneth Lewis of Chapel Hill.

Williams said the church canceled its verbal contract with the organization, forcing them to search for a new location.
...

[Laura902]

1. If you read the entire story

it becomes more difficult to say for certain that this decision was based on race.

[Dhalgren]

2. I don't think it "becomes more difficult to say

for certain that this decision was based on race." That lame-ass statement about "501 tax status" and the speeches? Total bullshit. If anything this sorry excuse for an excuse makes it more evident that the preacher is ashamed of the real reasons for canceling, because he is lying to cover up...

[Laura902]

3. It is not 100% certain,

remember these stories are easily skewed and churches can lose their 501k status in some cases when fund-raising is going on that doesn't include Charity. I am not religious or a conservative white supremest by any stretch of the imagination, I would just not judge too quickly on a story like this with a small amount of info.

[Dhalgren]

6. Show me a case in everyday life when "racism" is "100%"

certain. Common people espousing or expressing racist ideas can almost always say, "Oh, THAT'S not what I meant." And I say bullshit. This kind of institutional, group racism is never 'in-your-face' "white supremacy"; it is always deniable. That is why it is so pernicious...

[blondeatlast]

8. Absolutely. Those emails would tell the story--they still reside SOMEWHERE. nt

[Laura902]

9. I am not trusting this 1 article because

many of those members may have had completely different reasons-even if it doesn't have to do with a churches 501k status-they are most likely very conservative republicans who do not want democrats meeting in their church either way. I am still not going to judge.

[Dhalgren]

10. I am sure your restraint is appreciated by those "good presbyters"

.

[Laura902]

12. Does it even make too much of a difference?!

This is what I believe and unless I hear more news on the subject I will not judge-that is that

[Dhalgren]

16. You are "judging", you just choose not to admit it.

And that in itself is interesting...

[Laura902]

17. No your way off,

You cannot possibly get anything from typed messages other than the words that I am saying, you do not know me or the tone I am saying them in. I am choosing to say I really cannot tell from something I hear only about on DU, rather than actual news. Back off because there is no further discussion needed. This is not something I've read about in the paper or seen on CNN, so how could I possibly say I know these people are the stereotypical racist southern nut-jobs who are ignorant and intolerant and not just people who had a problem with having a gathering in their church by democrats and is being blown out of proportion?!!

[Dhalgren]

19. Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know it hadn't been on CNN, yet.

Of course we can't know what we think until we see it on CNN. My bad, I apologize...

[Laura902]

21. I'm sure you don't believe every story you hear on DU without hearing it anywhere else

Because I'm just saying neither your insolent tone nor a story with very little info is gonna sway me quickly, go find more proof against them and then we'll talk....until then assumptions are often wrong and I usually go against anything that both has to do with racism and the close-mindedness of many conservative church goers, but this is only when I have sufficient proof to be more sure. If you have such a problem with my detached opinion then go rant on someone more sympathetic, the Presbyterian church is one of the most liberal churches in america and although I am non-religious I'm not gonna jump on them automatically.

[blondeatlast]

7. I think if those emails are revealed--and they should be, it will likely

point to racist beliefs of the church members.

I grew up around Southern Presbyterians. I don't think they are aware that there was a civil rights movement yet.

[struggle4progress]

23. I wouldn't want my church used for a political party meeting. I'm pretty sure

just about the entire congregation voted for Obama. And I couldn't object if the church opens its doors to community groups or local activist groups for meetings. But I'd prefer it to appear non-partisan

[Laura902]

4. But if it can be proven

then the church should have their status taken away and be forced to pay taxes-at the least

[Winterblues]

5. Why would Democrats want a Political meeting in a Church, any Church?

Just because Republicans do that doesn't mean it is a good or Right thing to do..Rent a hall or Hotel banquet room but not a Church....For Christ's Sake..

[anonymous171]

11. Churches across the country often used for non-religious community events.

I don't see a problem with it.

[Toots]

13. Non religious events are not the same as political events

Churches are forbidden from advocating politics or lose their tax exempt status. There is a reason for that..Just because Republican ignor the laws and customs of america does not mean Democrats should follow suit.

[Kalyke]

14. Was racial makeup the concern or the fact that "libruls" might be meeting in a church?

One never knows.

[NutmegYankee]

15. Presbyterian Church USA is actually pretty liberal.

And they have lots of mission work improving the lives of people (women in particular*) in Africa.


*Some countries such as the Congo still follow the male inheritance laws, so when the husband/father dies the women loses all of the property. PCUSA is trying to help these women set up businesses to support themselves and change the countries laws and practices.

[hayu_lol]

18. Gosh oh darn...here we have a church closing its doors...

to a meeting group that paid a fee for the use of the premises...and non-church topics were to be discussed.

Odd, when the churches screamed for admittance to the public school buildings for their prayer meetings and church groups(students afterschool).

What's sauce for the Goose may well be sauce for the Gander.

[NutmegYankee]

20. Politics is a valid fear. The nonprofit status is critical to churches.

Most mainline Protestant churches, those most likely to hold liberal beliefs, are barely able to afford to keep the lights on these days.

[Laura902]

22. Thank you! least someone knows about the status of these churches and isn't jumping on the bandwagon

I know for a fact that none in my area would hold a political conference of any sort because they are in quite a bit of debt.