I visited a "black" church
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purple hayes
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 Posted: 03/30/04 - 10:57 Post subject: I visited a "black" church
This past Sunday, I ended up going to church service by myself. The Baptist church I normally go to has outgrown our current sanctuary and meets in the gymnasium that the church owns on the same property. Since they're no longer using the sanctuary, they let a starter church use it on Sunday mornings.
I made some grand assumptions that since the pastor was a black man (I'd met him before) that the rest of the congregation was probably black also. The church I go to now is predominantly white, but in the past, I went to a church that wasn't predominantly anything, just a big mix of people. I used the opportunity of being alone to check out a different church.
After Sunday School, I went upstairs to stake out my place in the back of the sanctuary (normally I sit waaaay up front). Since it was just the pastor and I in the building at the time, I stopped to talk to him about his church. He said that they'd been meeting there for 5 months now and that attendance was currently about 5-15 people, depending on the day. Service was scheduled to start at 11AM, but they usually didn't start until 11:15 when more people came in.  (Even worse than my normal church, they start 10 minutes late. )
A few people started to filter in and the pastor asked me to move up front with everybody else (which I had planned to do once I figured out there was only going to be a handful of people in service). Service started late/promptly at 11:15. One black pastor, 3 black woman and one small black kid, no choir, no organist, no nothing musical; completely different from any church service I'd been exposed to before--I loved IT!
Every song was a cappella.  Just the 6 of us. About 3 songs in, 2 more people came in for a total of 8 people. No hymnals or song sheets or nothing, just 8 people going at it with no accompaniment.
The pastor fired off an opening prayer and I'll admit that I got a little annoyed with the "Amen!"ing and "Hallelejiah"ing during it because I couldn't hear was being said, but I was impressed that this little group of people wasn't holding anything back because of the lack of a crowd.
Sermon time rolled around and the pastor didn't hold anything back. He preached like it was standing room only.
He closed out the service with another song and prayer. Then everyone greeted me and thanked me for coming.
I had a good time and I wouldn't mind going back some other time. I'm happy at the church I'm at right now, but it was fun to visit a new church.
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gretriever
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Posted: 03/30/04 - 11:08 Post subject:
Never been to a 'black' church. But have had occasions where pastors from those churches have come to churches I attended (and attend now). You're right in that they don't hold anything back - no matter the size or make-up of the congregation.
It's embarassing to not be caught up in the fervor generated in services that black churches seem to naturally have. It's just not a part of our psyche, I guess. It probably has to take acclamation to it for that to happen - can't turn it on or off like a light switch.
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MechEngDropout
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Posted: 03/30/04 - 11:19 Post subject:
There's a predominantly (okay, 99.9%) black church in my hometown. The first time I went there, the oddest thing to me was the black Jesus and apostles. I'm not opposed to it or anything... but I've never heard of black Jews? Obviously it's not the color of biblical figures that matters, but I'm kinda wondering what caused it. Is it always like that with all races/religions? I can see how you would want someone of your own kind - I guess it would make it easier to associate with. Does every race adapt figures to be like them, or is it a product of race relations in the south?
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Posted: 03/30/04 - 11:25 Post subject:
| MechEngDropout wrote: | | There's a predominantly (okay, 99.9%) black church in my hometown. The first time I went there, the oddest thing to me was the black Jesus and apostles. I'm not opposed to it or anything... but I've never heard of black Jews? Obviously it's not the color of biblical figures that matters, but I'm kinda wondering what caused it. Is it always like that with all races/religions? I can see how you would want someone of your own kind - I guess it would make it easier to associate with. Does every race adapt figures to be like them, or is it a product of race relations in the south? |
In high school I was part of the music for a special service at an all black Baptist Church in Kentucky. As we were going into the church, just outside the sanctuary there was a black Jesus (which I had seen before) but most notably, he had a jeri-curl.
why this tickled me so, I have no idea...
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Pug
The Movie Geek
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Posted: 03/30/04 - 11:27 Post subject:
| MechEngDropout wrote: | | There's a predominantly (okay, 99.9%) black church in my hometown. The first time I went there, the oddest thing to me was the black Jesus and apostles. I'm not opposed to it or anything... but I've never heard of black Jews? Obviously it's not the color of biblical figures that matters, but I'm kinda wondering what caused it. Is it always like that with all races/religions? I can see how you would want someone of your own kind - I guess it would make it easier to associate with. Does every race adapt figures to be like them, or is it a product of race relations in the south? |
It makes as much (if not more) sense than a white Jesus. I would guess that Jesus and co would be of a darker, olive skinned tone. Besides, once you take Jesus out of the physical realm (post-ressurection), i don't believe that he (or God) has specific color. It's beyond color.
To give my answer to your last question, i would say that yes, every race adapts god figures to be like them...including my own.
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elkid
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Posted: 03/30/04 - 11:30 Post subject:
Back in the day I often went to a black baptist church in Harlem. What a hoot! The hats, the bust a move hymns, the HALLELUJAHS! that kept you awake. Long services, though.
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purple hayes
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Posted: 03/30/04 - 11:34 Post subject:
| elkid wrote: | | Back in the day I often went to a black baptist church in Harlem. What a hoot! The hats, the bust a move hymns, the HALLELUJAHS! that kept you awake. Long services, though. |
I was disappointed by the lack of hats.  The hymns were the same too, just sang with a little more gusto. Service was roughly the same length, but it started too late for my tastes.
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brie k
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Posted: 03/30/04 - 11:38 Post subject:
| Pug wrote: | | MechEngDropout wrote: | | There's a predominantly (okay, 99.9%) black church in my hometown. The first time I went there, the oddest thing to me was the black Jesus and apostles. I'm not opposed to it or anything... but I've never heard of black Jews? Obviously it's not the color of biblical figures that matters, but I'm kinda wondering what caused it. Is it always like that with all races/religions? I can see how you would want someone of your own kind - I guess it would make it easier to associate with. Does every race adapt figures to be like them, or is it a product of race relations in the south? |
It makes as much (if not more) sense than a white Jesus. I would guess that Jesus and co would be of a darker, olive skinned tone. Besides, once you take Jesus out of the physical realm (post-ressurection), i don't believe that he (or God) has specific color. It's beyond color.
To give my answer to your last question, i would say that yes, every race adapts god figures to be like them...including my own. |
I have never thought that Jesus was caucasian. Perhaps not as dark as black, but definitely not white with golden blonde or brownish hair. Darker skin w/ darker hair = my vision of Jesus.
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pokychick
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Posted: 03/30/04 - 11:39 Post subject:
| elkid wrote: | | Back in the day I often went to a black baptist church in Harlem. What a hoot! The hats, the bust a move hymns, the HALLELUJAHS! that kept you awake. Long services, though. |
Go see Ladykillers....very funny and lots of bust a move hymns, amens, hallelujahs, and hats. 
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Maddies Wench
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Posted: 03/30/04 - 12:20 Post subject:
That DOES sound fun. On my list of things to do before they light me up and set me adrift is to attend a church service of every imaginable faith.
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airehead
Oompa Loofah
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Posted: 03/30/04 - 12:26 Post subject:
I went to an American Baptist in Alaska that was predominantly black. Had the best time evah!
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Gogirlgo
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Posted: 03/30/04 - 13:51 Post subject:
| MechEngDropout wrote: | | There's a predominantly (okay, 99.9%) black church in my hometown. The first time I went there, the oddest thing to me was the black Jesus and apostles. I'm not opposed to it or anything... but I've never heard of black Jews? Obviously it's not the color of biblical figures that matters, but I'm kinda wondering what caused it. Is it always like that with all races/religions? I can see how you would want someone of your own kind - I guess it would make it easier to associate with. Does every race adapt figures to be like them, or is it a product of race relations in the south? |
Our church has a bunch of figures/statues in which the people are black or at least semitic. Not all golden blond. The thinking is it's more inclusive. There are a lot of black people who go to the church. I think it's probably more historically accurate than to make Jesus look European.
But to your point that you've never heard of black Jews, I got a coupla words for you: Sammy Davis Jr! But seriously, there is a whole group of people in Ethiopia who feel they're the lost tribe. They're called Falashis. They're Jews. Israel airlifted them out of Ethiopia around 1985 and replanted them in Israel.
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gretriever
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Posted: 03/30/04 - 13:57 Post subject:
| Gogirlgo wrote: | | But to your point that you've never heard of black Jews, I got a coupla words for you: Sammy Davis Jr! But seriously, there is a whole group of people in Ethiopia who feel they're the lost tribe. They're called Falashis. They're Jews. Israel airlifted them out of Ethiopia around 1985 and replanted them in Israel. |
Are they the ones who are rumored to have the Ark of the Covenant (still in either Ethiopia or Sudan)?
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rolling rock
The Pinball
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Posted: 03/30/04 - 14:13 Post subject:
 sounds like a nice place to visit
worship thru song is the bestest. even if you're the only one singing.
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purple hayes
Frightened Inmate #2
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Posted: 03/30/04 - 14:35 Post subject:
| gretriever wrote: | | Are they the ones who are rumored to have the Ark of the Covenant (still in either Ethiopia or Sudan)? |
I thought it was being help in a US Government warehouse somewhere. 
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