[Velvet]

Didn’t mean to derail the topic. I can’t remember any clergy addressing bigotry or racism, but I was in Bible College. We were regularly sent to Africa and other places in the world. We spent up to 4 years to learn the language of where we were going. I studied to be a Bible translator. To write the Bible in languages which may not have a written form yet. Also to help out in any way we could with what the people we went to needed. Clean water etc. We went by invitation only. Somehow racism never came up.

[ruralgoddess]

perhaps it's not overused; rather, it could be that racism is simply being called out for what it is/has always been?

[ruralgoddess]

isn't that what the Europeans did here?

[algi45]

Overused and untrue cliche, Lois.

[LoisR]

Interesting, or sad, that no one shared or heard(?) sermons on racism or bigotry.

[jbrown132]

I had a one on one discussion with my minister a number of years ago on a topic close to this. I did not agree with him on everything but we did agree on “do unto others as you would want done unto you”. I treat others as they treat me. Am I supposed to love these people who are burning down buildings, hurting and killing others? Am I supposed to tolerate these people who want to burn down everything this country stands for and turn the other cheek? And when I say these people I mean both black and white. When you cannot have a meaningful conversation with these people it will lead to racism and bigotry on both sides. Racism and bigotry has existed since the beginning of time. Will it ever go away totally? I doubt it as it is part of the human condition. Is it better now than a hundred years ago, definitely but it will never cease to exist.

[Pennyt]

My Pastor speaks about it. He asks us to love everyone regardless of their color, gender, nationality, etc. He talks about how Jesus told us to love our neighbor and how we cannot be silent against injustice to people of color.

[egmcaninch]

Originally Posted by LoisR

It's obvious reading social media, including this publication, that bigotry and racism are still present in our society. I would be very interested to hear what has your clergy person said about this topic and what
"take away" points did you glean?

Pastor Cliff Lea had a couple of (online) meetings with pastor John Christian (Leesburg commissioner). They spoke candidly about racism and what to do about it - strong messages to church members. Later, Cliff, John and another black pastor had a joint Lord's Supper online - incredible! Proud of the unity message from these three local pastors! Contact pastor Cliff if you want more information.

Originally Posted by jbrown132

I had a one on one discussion with my minister a number of years ago on a topic close to this. I did not agree with him on everything but we did agree on “do unto others as you would want done unto you”. I treat others as they treat me. Am I supposed to love these people who are burning down buildings, hurting and killing others? Am I supposed to tolerate these people who want to burn down everything this country stands for and turn the other cheek? And when I say these people I mean both black and white. When you cannot have a meaningful conversation with these people it will lead to racism and bigotry on both sides. Racism and bigotry has existed since the beginning of time. Will it ever go away totally? I doubt it as it is part of the human condition. Is it better now than a hundred years ago, definitely but it will never cease to exist.

Treating others as they treat you is not the same as “do unto others as you would want done unto you.” The latter is the way of peace and love for your fellow man, the former is the way of retaliation and hate. Loving those who do bad does not mean you agree with what they are doing, but it just may help them rethink their course of action. Also consider Matthew 5: 44-47.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by LoisR

If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

Share with us your solutions.

I have found and this is NOT validated that it depends on the pulpit speakers. It appears very little is heard about politics from the Catholic pulpits, but the homily's follow the scripture of the day on caring and respecting others and on not destroying another's work. One of my favorites is the parable about the good Samaritan, a black man.

Is there a point here in the questions? Can we hear YOUR opinion?

[Villagesgal]

They may preach it, but look around you in your sanctuary. How many minority people do you see? Does your church openly invite minorities in? When they do come are they made welcome by all? The sermon can say whatever it says, but unless the congregation actually lives it, it really makes no difference.

[I Tango]

Originally Posted by LoisR

Has the clergy even spoken about this in their sermons?

If you listen to the right clergy, they are. Listen to Tom Hughes, Jack Hibbs, JD Farrah, James Kaddish, Barry Stagner, Jan Markell, Andy Woods, Don Stewart, and many others.

Of course you won’t hear it from a lot of the main stream mega church leaders because they’re afraid of talking about controversial issues because it might affect the number of people and dollars that come into their churches.

However meany of the pastors I listed do have thousands of people in their congregations and they don’t shy away from the controversial issues. I recommend searching them out on YouTube. Don Stewart even does a one hour daily show explaining how the current news events relate to bible prophecy.

[Johnsocat]

"What has the clergy said?" Do you really need someone to interpret the Bible to you? Read it yourself and you will find the answers to the right way to proceed in all situations you may confront. Morality and value systems are different for each individual so only their personal interpretations of right and wrong will determine the message they receive.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by LoisR

It's obvious reading social media, including this publication, that bigotry and racism are still present in our society. I would be very interested to hear what has your clergy person said about this topic and what
"take away" points did you glean?

I would ask a rock for advice BEFORE I would ask clergy anything. They would ask me (a week later) to give them money $
to build them a pretty NEW church and continue their luxurious life. Also corrupt lives - like Jerry Falwell Jr.'s has been shown to be lately. He HAS fallen but he did NOT Fal .........well !!!!!!

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by wiltma

Until recently and I wonder why that is 😱

Because being goaded and shamed and accused is not the way to change anyone. And neither is watching ornery and law breaking folks being deified no matter their color. People are walking all around the truth. If most of us aren't broken in the area of pretty kind hearts and pretty fair takes on things, why try to fix us?

I don't think that a lot of the anger witnessed and alluded to has ANYTHING to do about race. It has to do about all, everyone, each individual of every hue being responsible to the best of their ability. You lose me when you burn down buildings of innocent people who worked hard to have those buildings. I don't care if you are green with yellow polka dots. STOP IT!!! Stop making a big deal about race when it isn't about race. It is about obeying the law and working hard and saving your money after seeing that laws are in place for everyone to be able to do that. Which I think we have. When you do affirmative action that signals to me that some people need breaks and pity. I don't like PITY.