A charter such as this should have been drawn up by and for black folks the minute Thomas Sowell first mentioned it.
The question posed by Rev. Jackson to the Baptist Convention, i.e., "how many of you have been requested to perform same sex marriages in your church?" is right on point here. Some of the individual liberty and social justice issues confabulated with "morality" by the GOP are deeply troubling. As with the War on Terrorism, black folk should not be predisposed to accept any old thing coming out from under the GOP big tent. The "big tent" comfortably plays host to many a troubling and funky assemblage, and should always be handled with extreme caution.
I'm afraid that because we have failed to circle our own wagons and construct our own charter for change, we're now being cajoled into signing onto a Faustian agreement.
The "Black Contract With America on Moral Values," to be unveiled today in Los Angeles, is designed to help African American churches gain influence in the Republican Party and promote socially conservative legislation. Highlights of the plan include:
Marriage: Focus on prohibiting same-sex marriage.
• Wealth creation: Private Social Security investment accounts and encouraging homeownership.
• Education: School vouchers, charter schools and boosting black enrollment in higher education.
• Prison reform: Including a "Second Chance Act," reentry programs and laws restoring the rights of felons.
• Africa: Intervention in Sudan and penalties against corporations that explore for oil in the region.
• Healthcare overhaul: Including programs to cover the poor.
Source: Bishop Harry R. Jackson Jr., Hope Christian Church, College Park, Md.
Los Angeles Times
i agree that the evangelical church must take a moral stand which is Biblical in our living out of the Scriptures of the Holy Bible. However, thre must be a Godly way to engage, and that is that we, the church, become doers of the commandment to "preach the gospel" and to "use words, if necessary". (I think Francis of Asissi said that). If we are to change society for Christ, we have to be free of our "blackness" and all other worldviews which make us "flesh" before "spirit". The "traditional" black church must speak out against our own racism, materialsim, acceptance of mediocrity, abandonment of moral and parental roles and responsibilities as defined in Scripture. If we don't lead by God's example, we will continue to be a "clanging cymbal" and a mockery.
This "contract with America" should be launched and maintained FIRST with fervent prayer that we are being led by the Holy Spirit. Is that the framework within which it is promulgated?
Sounds like cut and paste work from the Democratic consevative right. No, not all Democrats are as liberal as some would like to believe.
Posted by: sspsllc at February 19, 2005 04:58 PM