God, Gays and the Black Church:
Keeping the Faith Within the Black Community
by Herndon L. Davis, Special to AOL Black Voices,
Posted: 2005-09-02 00:45:58
(This is the second part of a two-part article. Click here for part one.)
The final part of this two-part series explores how the black church figures into the fight against AIDS in the black community.
It is well known that the black church has historically been the hub of the black community. Today, however, the black community (along with the black church) is wrestling with the same conflicted moral codes and ever-shifting sense of ethics that exist within America at large. In many ways, this confusion is often intensified within the black community, because of its continual fight against racism and its consequences. Nonetheless, the black church has weathered the storm(s), and despite profound changes in cultural boundaries and a decided weakening of its influence, it remains a centerpiece of African-American life.
Traditionally conservative on social issues, the black community's viewpoint on homosexuality is no different. The black community does, however, adapt to change. Less than 20 years ago, there was still widespread resistance against ordaining female clergy, yet today not only are there women clergy, many are now leading the charge for a more inclusive black church.
The final part of this two-part series explores how the black church figures into the fight against AIDS in the black community.
It is well known that the black church has historically been the hub of the black community. Today, however, the black community (along with the black church) is wrestling with the same conflicted moral codes and ever-shifting sense of ethics that exist within America at large. In many ways, this confusion is often intensified within the black community, because of its continual fight against racism and its consequences. Nonetheless, the black church has weathered the storm(s), and despite profound changes in cultural boundaries and a decided weakening of its influence, it remains a centerpiece of African-American life.
Traditionally conservative on social issues, the black community's viewpoint on homosexuality is no different. The black community does, however, adapt to change. Less than 20 years ago, there was still widespread resistance against ordaining female clergy, yet today not only are there women clergy, many are now leading the charge for a more inclusive black church.
Dr. Rev. Kathi Martin of Atlanta is one of these pioneering women. She pastors the God, Self and Neighbor Ministries Church and believes that many Christians should "view the Gospel through the lens of love and inclusion, [versus] literal understandings of scripture. In many cases Christians are attempting to be faithful to views that were born and are perpetuated via the power dynamics of patriarchy."
Similarly, Martin believes that women are essential to a move toward inclusion. "Following the example of our foremothers, women must let love compel us to believe in and work for justice and equality in church and society."
When it comes to homosexuality, however, the black church has not come to a place of open acceptance. Though as Part One of this story reported, there seems to be an active 'don't ask, don't tell' policy within many black churches.
This policy allows gays and lesbians to remain an active part of clergy, choirs and congregations, while church leaders maintain their official stance condemning homosexuality (among other sexual behaviors). Many black church leaders have long been silent about the spread of AIDS among African Americans, despite seeing so many of their congregations devastated by the disease.
Given the fact that the church remains a centerpiece of the black community, could it be that the demeaning and negative labeling of perceived sexual sins ranging from pre-marital sex to homosexuality is really part of the problem -- and not the solution -- in the increasingly difficult fight against AIDS in the black community?
Los Angeles mental health professional, Roger Quinney, believes so. "I believe through my counseling and experience as a pastor of a church, the church continues to turn a blind eye to gay and lesbian issues (ŕ la 'don't ask don't tell') and many… sisters and brothers continue to have unsafe sex."
Similarly, Martin believes that women are essential to a move toward inclusion. "Following the example of our foremothers, women must let love compel us to believe in and work for justice and equality in church and society."
When it comes to homosexuality, however, the black church has not come to a place of open acceptance. Though as Part One of this story reported, there seems to be an active 'don't ask, don't tell' policy within many black churches.
This policy allows gays and lesbians to remain an active part of clergy, choirs and congregations, while church leaders maintain their official stance condemning homosexuality (among other sexual behaviors). Many black church leaders have long been silent about the spread of AIDS among African Americans, despite seeing so many of their congregations devastated by the disease.
Given the fact that the church remains a centerpiece of the black community, could it be that the demeaning and negative labeling of perceived sexual sins ranging from pre-marital sex to homosexuality is really part of the problem -- and not the solution -- in the increasingly difficult fight against AIDS in the black community?
Los Angeles mental health professional, Roger Quinney, believes so. "I believe through my counseling and experience as a pastor of a church, the church continues to turn a blind eye to gay and lesbian issues (ŕ la 'don't ask don't tell') and many… sisters and brothers continue to have unsafe sex."
Indeed, many church leaders are reluctant to openly discuss the behaviors that result in one of the biggest problems facing the black community today, but the futility of addressing the consequences of an action without addressing the behavior itself is becoming more and more apparent when it comes to AIDS in the black community.
This is a day and age when African Americans represent a staggering 54% of new HIV infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC reports that Black women made up 67% of new AIDS cases among females in 2003, while black men made up 44% of new male AIDS cases. The leading cause of infection for both black women and men was sexual contact; for black women, it was heterosexual contact with IV drug use coming in second, while for black men, it was sexual contact with other men, with heterosexual contact and IV drug use following. Meanwhile, 68% of all black children are born to out-of-wedlock unions -- which incidentally, do not bode well for black kids: according to the U.S. Census Bureau, half of the children living in female-headed households in 2003 were living in poverty. All things considered, then, should the Black church consider updating its theological stance on sex and sexuality in order to save (or at least improve) the lives of its members?
Pastor Taylor thinks so. "The church must update its teachings and preachings. Only the progressive black church is having to deal with these struggles in a real way," he says.
However, as Chief Spiritual Officer of his church, Reid believes that "It is a serious mistake for some African-American intellectuals, gay rights activists and liberal politicians to brand the Black church as Victorian and homophobic because we lift up a different standard on the issue of sexuality. To deny a church its right to define the issues of sexual morality, sexual preference and safe sex for its members in a way that is consistent with the congregation's understanding of the scripture, is a form of spiritual fascism… that must not be tolerated."
Pastor Foster agrees, adding "There is simply no excuse for someone to go out and have a child out of wedlock, contract HIV, commit adultery and then blame it on the church."
This is a day and age when African Americans represent a staggering 54% of new HIV infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC reports that Black women made up 67% of new AIDS cases among females in 2003, while black men made up 44% of new male AIDS cases. The leading cause of infection for both black women and men was sexual contact; for black women, it was heterosexual contact with IV drug use coming in second, while for black men, it was sexual contact with other men, with heterosexual contact and IV drug use following. Meanwhile, 68% of all black children are born to out-of-wedlock unions -- which incidentally, do not bode well for black kids: according to the U.S. Census Bureau, half of the children living in female-headed households in 2003 were living in poverty. All things considered, then, should the Black church consider updating its theological stance on sex and sexuality in order to save (or at least improve) the lives of its members?
Pastor Taylor thinks so. "The church must update its teachings and preachings. Only the progressive black church is having to deal with these struggles in a real way," he says.
However, as Chief Spiritual Officer of his church, Reid believes that "It is a serious mistake for some African-American intellectuals, gay rights activists and liberal politicians to brand the Black church as Victorian and homophobic because we lift up a different standard on the issue of sexuality. To deny a church its right to define the issues of sexual morality, sexual preference and safe sex for its members in a way that is consistent with the congregation's understanding of the scripture, is a form of spiritual fascism… that must not be tolerated."
Pastor Foster agrees, adding "There is simply no excuse for someone to go out and have a child out of wedlock, contract HIV, commit adultery and then blame it on the church."
But when the dust settles, could there be a more centrist approach and dialogue on such hot-button issues?
According to Ivy League theologian, ordained Baptist minister and cultural critic, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, the answers is yes. In his critically acclaimed book, 'Race Rules' (Vintage, 1997) he speaks of the crucial need for a progressive black church that could be inclusive of the varying sexual identities of its members. In fact, Dyson advocates a ministry of eroticism and homoeroticism. This type of ministry would allow both straight and gay congregants to be free from sexual repression and efficiently speak to issues such as homosexuality, heterosexism, HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy.
In his article "The Black church and Sexual Ethics," Vanderbilt University theologian and associate professor of Christian ethics, Dr. Victor Anderson contends that, "Black clergy need to develop a sexual ethic that connects its members not only to heaven's gate… but also connecting them to the real world of complex, hard choices about abortion, teenage pregnancy, same-sex unions, pornography and the like."
But until this day of affirmation, non-judgmental dialogue and inclusion finally arrives within the black church, there seems to be only two options for gays and lesbians striving to keep the faith. On the one hand, they can remain deeply closeted in hostile church environments, paralyzed by fear of the pulpit's condemnation and stigmatization, which in turn encourages them to lead double sexual lives as described by Donnie McClurkin.
Or, gays and lesbians could break loose of the chains of homophobia in the black church by pursuing new avenues of worship, either in exclusively gay and lesbian church environments or inside of gay and lesbian-inclusive churches.
Either choice is monumental, involving huge sacrifice. But then again, there is also the choice facing the black church: to continue to live largely in denial, or to love unconditionally by meeting the real needs of its faithful, in a world where so many desperately need the guidance of their spiritual leaders and the comfort of their church homes.
And now the real question: Is that too much to ask?
About the Author
Herndon Davis is an author, columnist and television host of 'The Herndon Davis Reports.' He can be reached directly at www.herndondavis.com.
Want more food for your soul? Go back to BV Soul & Spirit.
According to Ivy League theologian, ordained Baptist minister and cultural critic, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, the answers is yes. In his critically acclaimed book, 'Race Rules' (Vintage, 1997) he speaks of the crucial need for a progressive black church that could be inclusive of the varying sexual identities of its members. In fact, Dyson advocates a ministry of eroticism and homoeroticism. This type of ministry would allow both straight and gay congregants to be free from sexual repression and efficiently speak to issues such as homosexuality, heterosexism, HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy.
In his article "The Black church and Sexual Ethics," Vanderbilt University theologian and associate professor of Christian ethics, Dr. Victor Anderson contends that, "Black clergy need to develop a sexual ethic that connects its members not only to heaven's gate… but also connecting them to the real world of complex, hard choices about abortion, teenage pregnancy, same-sex unions, pornography and the like."
But until this day of affirmation, non-judgmental dialogue and inclusion finally arrives within the black church, there seems to be only two options for gays and lesbians striving to keep the faith. On the one hand, they can remain deeply closeted in hostile church environments, paralyzed by fear of the pulpit's condemnation and stigmatization, which in turn encourages them to lead double sexual lives as described by Donnie McClurkin.
Or, gays and lesbians could break loose of the chains of homophobia in the black church by pursuing new avenues of worship, either in exclusively gay and lesbian church environments or inside of gay and lesbian-inclusive churches.
Either choice is monumental, involving huge sacrifice. But then again, there is also the choice facing the black church: to continue to live largely in denial, or to love unconditionally by meeting the real needs of its faithful, in a world where so many desperately need the guidance of their spiritual leaders and the comfort of their church homes.
And now the real question: Is that too much to ask?
About the Author
Herndon Davis is an author, columnist and television host of 'The Herndon Davis Reports.' He can be reached directly at www.herndondavis.com.
Want more food for your soul? Go back to BV Soul & Spirit.
2005-08-25 15:38:33