Kentucky church bans interracial marriage

[Kimberlyd125]

http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Church_votes_to_lift_ban_134997733.html

Church votes to lift ban on interracial couples

Church members at Gulnare Freewill Baptist Church in Pike County voted again, but this time the outcome was different.


They unanimously voted to allow all people of all races to attend their church.

"I tried every way possible that I could to resolve this matter before it got to where it did," said Pastor Stacy Stepp.



Church members plan to move forward in unifying their church.

The Harville family says Stella was pleased to hear the outcome of the final vote.

Church members hope the couple will return to their church.


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[Kimberlyd125]

http://kgoam810.com/rssItem.asp?feedid=118&itemid=29764333

Kentucky Pastor Nullifies Church Ban on Interracial Couples

GULNARE, Ky.) -- The pastor at a small Kentucky church says he has nullified a vote by parishioners that banned interracial couples from the church.

"As far as I'm concerned and the church is concerned, this case will be closed as of tomorrow," Gulnare Free Will Baptist Church pastor Stacy Stepp said on Saturday, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader. "We will...get back on the right track and continue to win souls for the Lord."

 

[Kimberlyd125]

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/nation_world/20111205_Ky__church_OKs_mixed_couples.html

Ky. church OKs mixed couples


Stepp told the Associated Press yesterday that the church body can't pass new bylaws if they run contrary to local, state or national laws.

Stepp said about 30 people who attended church services yesterday voted on a new resolution that welcomes "believers into our fellowship regardless of race, creed or color."

 

[Kimberlyd125]

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/new...-void-ban-on-interracial-couples-ncx-12052011

Pastor at Kentucky Church to Void Ban on Interracial Couples


"There wasn't enough support in that tiny church for what they did," said Sandy Valley Conference representative Jim Patton. "This is not any longer a part of their church. It is null and void."

The conference's statement said it would continue to work with Gulnare Freewill Baptist Church "to rebuild what has been damaged by this tragic error."

The churches that make up the conference "strongly denounce prejudice, racism and all ungodly forms of conduct, whether within the church or without," the statement added.

 

[Chewy]

Let's see if they really mean it or just got caught. To be racist in this day and age creates major backlash. But other groups are discriminated against no problem. When they openly embrace homosexuals and transgender people then I'll believe them. But this seems like just too much backlash, the fact that the vote even came up this way is ridiculous. As has been pointed out in this thread, these churches have very organized ways of voting for things. The idea that this idea was brought up for voting at all is beyond the pale. I'm sure this is just damage control. Once it settles down they will go back to their comfort zone of bigotry. I do have to commend those who voted against it but if they stay in the church after this I'll lose respect for them.

 

[believe09]

There you have it. Over and out.

 

[believe09]

from the article:

of 42 members, very few stayed for the meeting after church and even fewer voted . . . most congregants wanted no part in the vote. Ultimately, nine people voted for the motion and six voted against it and interracial couples were banned.

Other churches in the community have condemned the decision. The matter will be up for discussion again at the Sandy Valley Conference for Freewill Baptist Churches.

Only 36% of the congregation voted at all
Of those 60% in favor -- 21% of the entire congregation voted for the motion
The majority 79% abstained or voted against the motion

Not representative of an entire congregation & it appears the church's governing entity is looking into the motion.

I highlighted the words in blue-I think this is a good social lesson...avoiding or abstaining the vote doesnt necessarily solve the problem. At least 9 people in that Congregation were determined enough to fight for their POV. Imagine if the 79% had showed up an voted...what a statement that would have been.

 

[Chewy]

That's how I see it as well. It's not as if we live in a place where you are afraid to speak up for justice.

“The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference.”

Elie Wiesel.


This is why I do always speak up about such things. Because many times we look back in history and wonder how such horrible things could happen, and it was simply because people didn't say anything.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me -- and there was no one left to speak for me.

Martin Niemboller.

 

[daisy7]

There was a thread on this news story yesterday. It got pulled. Why? Because it turned into a religious debate rather than a racial concern.

Keep your posts directed on racial issues and leave the different religious aspects alone.

If you find something in the Bible to support banning interracial marriages, sent me a private message and I'll review it.

:bump: