to a deacon or pastoral candidate who have issue with biracial marriages?
In other words, if a person has a problem with biracial marriage, should they be considered to be a deacon or a pastor?
Should consideration be given...
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by SaggyWoman, Sep 9, 2010.
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I am not sure about making it a rule. I never had a problem with bi-racial marriages, but I can tell you that my pre-marital counselling was strong in making sure what they would face in both family and the world to-day. Then if children are involved it will be a whole other experience. I just think they should be prepared for this before they take that step.
Cheers,
Jim
PS, I always made myself available for after-the-fact counselling and kept in touch by letter for several years. -
We all have various views on a host of subjects that are not black/white (pun intended) in the Word.
I personally have great difficulties with such. Part of the "cultural baggage" that is in my psyche. Old stereotypes flood back all the time and it is a real battleground for me.
For any here old enough to remember, Archie Bunker was modeled after my dad. ;)
To the op - IF such profiling would keep an elder/pastor from being a minister, then he has not "matured" enough to work through this matter and I would hesitate to have him as my pastor.
We live in a day when a typical local assembly may have single parents, divorced, all sorts of ethnicities and mixes thereof. Do I like it? No. I want every child to be of simple ethnicity raised in a two-parent loving and nurturing family.
But I ask people to "cut ME some slack" on a lot of areas, and so I need to return the favor.
Look forward to comments by others open to this very real question. -
I think it would depend on how virulent his views were.
There's a huge difference between, "That's not how I was raised, and I woudn't be comfortable in that wedding" and " 'Race-mixing' is an abomination to the Lord."
I'm not justifying either statement at all...but the first might reflect an honest assessment of some cultural biases...while the latter raises huge red flags regarding viewpoints that are totally unbecoming for anyone in leadership, especially. -
peace to you:praying: -
In my opinion, having a problem with bi-racial marriages is the same as being a bigot.
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NO! Absolutely not! That is not Anyone else's business. Some people try and justify their predigest by saying that they do not want to have the couple suffer the problems that come with such unions. Totally hypocritical! The only one deceived is the person with that view. There is absolutely no biblical reason why people of different races cannot marry as long as it is done in the Lord (both are saved). Any desire of hindrance to that is playing god. Any kind or feelings against marriages of different races is bigotry and stands against Christ Himself. Christ is the bridegroom of all races and has absolutely no feelings greater for one then another. No man has any business in the ministry of any kind if he does not hold the same values. -
It would depend on what he believed.
Did he believe that bi-racial marriages are against Scripture? Then we wouldn't consider him at all.
Did he believe that marriage is hard enough without the problems of race being in the mix? Maybe, because those kinds of phrases are often a cover for real racism. -
preachinjesus Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
One big question though: Do they have a problem with all racially mixed marriages, or just one specific race with another specific race (i.e. African American and Caucasian)?
That is the bigger question. -
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If a person was being considered as a deacon or pastor that had this "racial prejudice" as some term, would you speak up against the person when the time comes?
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preachinjesus Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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And who is? You?
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so Aaron, you wouldn't object to having a deacon that was racist in his views?
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