10-16-10 The Black Church and the Bible Keep Black Women Down
The Date Smarter Not Harder Relationships Talk Show proudly brings together two of the most outspoken critics of Christianity and the Black Church on one program for the first time.
Author Jeremiah Camara (author of “Holy Lockdown” and “The New Doubting Thomas: The Bible, Black Folks and Blind Belief”), and columnist Deborrah Cooper (author of the controversial piece sweeping the Internet: “The Black Church: How Black Churches Keep African American Women Single and Lonely“) join forces on Saturday, October 16, 2010 to examine the influence Christianity and religion have on Black Americans.
Statistically, Black people are the most religious ethnic group in the nation, yet have the highest rate of incarceration, poverty, infant mortality, single parent homes, unemployment and HIV/AIDS.
Cooper feels these statistics are an indication of an institution, a business, that should have been shut down for fraudulent business practices long ago.
“Those that run Black churches make false promises that they cannot deliver on. No business should ever be above close examination, reproach or criticism. The hopeful fantasies created by suspect Black preachers to lull women into complacency and weakness is criminal. Black women need to get off their knees and stop begging God to bring them what they need. Praying for change, love or a better life is not going to ever make change actually happen” she concluded.
Is church-going really a hindrance to Black achievement? Author Jeremiah Camara stated “We attend church faithfully, in droves. The difference between a productive race of people and an unproductive one is what they do with their time. We spend too much time in church utilizing it like an emotional factory where we manufacture non-productivity.”
In specific reference to single Black woman and the church, Camara made this astute observation: “It is true that a woman’s success should not be measured by whether or not she has a man. It is also possible for a woman to be satisfied without having a man in her life. However, many pastors counsel Black women directly or imply through sermonic rhetoric that it is all right to be without a man as long as they have Jesus. These sentiments are subliminally supported in gospel music. When a woman sings R&B she sings about the love of a man; when they sing gospel music, they sing about the love of Jesus. ”
Can Black people accept the fact that breaking free of the limitations placed on their minds, achievements and relationships imposed by Christianity may require that they remove the Bible from their lives?
We’ll be asking some hard questions tonight of the religious that may be uncomfortable for some. We ask that you bring an open mind and your thinking cap as we openly discuss the history, historical influence and the modern day impact of the Black church and Christianity on African American women and men.
Log on to chat or call 347-327-9215 to participate in what is sure to be a very heated discussion. The conversation begins at 7:00 p.m. (PST) / 10:00 p.m. (EST) on BlogTalkRadio. Don’t be late!
Deborrah
Veteran social researcher, relationship advice columnist, author and radio host. Author of hundreds of articles on American and black culture, gender issues, singles, dating and relationships. Author of "Sucka Free Love!" , "The 24 Types of Suckas to Avoid," "The Black Church - Where Women Pray and Men Pray," and "Why Vegan is the New Black" all available on Amazon.Com. Her unique voice and insightful commentary have delighted fans and riled haters for 20 years. Read her stuff on SurvivingDating.Com and AskHeartBeat.Com.
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Category: Media Events, The Black Church
i think what many call the ‘black church’ is apostate….meaning unbibical but not necessarily a cult… why are we having sooo much problems being able to live—we have a high abortion rate, OOW rate, unemployment and everything else…are the preachers preaching on this? there are many places in the bible who preach exaclty on this…..’if a man does not work, he does not eat’ ….what part of that do they not understand?—oh yes,,,,are these people being ‘Bereans’ and checking out everthing the pastor says? this is why i either like christian radio or multiethnic churches–in those, you could have a black pastor but the church itself is multiethnic–white asian, hispanic, etc.
Very Interesting post. Letting go of the mindset the Black Church has left us in is a big step towards freedom for Black people. Subscribing now to stay up to date with your posts!
Looking forward to tuning in