Quote:
Originally Posted by lio45
Out of curiosity... would a non-black Baptist church typically refuse to accept a new faithful and enthusiastic worshipper/parishioner due strictly only to that new person happening to be black?
(Genuine question; and if the answer is "no, of course not" then why do we even need "black" churches nowadays?)
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Most white Baptist Churches belong to the
Southern Baptist Convention, I believe, and that organization was founded on a pro-slavery platform in 1845. It does not officially preach segregation today, but because of its history few black Baptists are very interested in attending its churches. In general, because of its history as a southern institution, the Baptist church both has a lot of black members AND has a history of more racial division and segregation than other denominations.
Why do "we" need black churches? If you were black you'd probably know the answer. If you aren't, as I am not, "we" need to surmise that black people feel more welcomed and comfortable worshipping with people like themselves and their desire to do so is enough reason to provide a place they can. On the other hand, as some have pointed out, there are people on both sides of the racial divide who feel comfortable worshipping in diverse groups and for them there are churches as well, certainly in the Bay Area which is home to a premier example,
Glide Memorial Church which has a famous black pastor but is attended by many whites and blacks.