Sounds like the pastor of that church was a real pushover. It was more important for him to marry that couple in an African-American church and retain his leadership over a group of racists, rather than stand up for the very principles he preaches about every Sunday morning. What a shame...

It's always the few who ruin it for everyone. No matter the issue, some people are born haters.

"Typical" is better.

Gosh. Bigotry and racism. How unfortunate.

The minority within the congregation who opposed the marriage within the church should be scooted to the door. As far as the minister goes, this is a classic example of what is wrong with Christianity today. When a church is little more than a non-profit business, the saying holds true, "The customer is always right."

1 Timothy 4:3, 4

"For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories."

yes, "unfortunate" gets these morons off too easy; most likely, the people who were against the marriage were the ones who contributed the most money to the church and therefore had the most clout; and yet they continue to call themselves "christians"

What is unfortunate is the fact that he never actually apologizes for the wrong committed. It just "unfortunate" and " a learning experience". That is not a apology. A apology needs to include an admission of guilt or that a wrong has been committed. As a black man he should be ashamed of what was done under his spiritual guidance.

I found it pathetic the pastor buckled so easily. He gave into a threat, knowing he would continue to pastor to his racist congregants (the minority). I would bet the upset members give more to the church than others. Money can bring out the worst. My Mother-in-law stood up to the racist in our city during the Central High Crises....and then traveled the state trying to educate people about all races. She is MUCH more of a "man" than that pastor.

Right. When is the last time that someone successfully "talked" someone out of their racism? I mean just try that here, on these Newsvine threads which are rampant with racism and hatred ... and watch the flames spread.

Hatreds and prejudices feeds on ignorance. Attempts to shine a light of reason upon the hateful and the prejudiced is as effective as fighting fire with gasoline.

Nah, there's no racism in the US anymore. It's not a factor in anything. Nope. Doesn't happen. Kool-aid drinker.

What is truly sad here is that the Pastor was swayed by a loud and vocal minority of bigots instead of standing with those that needed him most. Frankly, the "vote to remove" threat sounds rather hollow. If the blind idiots that promulgated this incident were in fact able to muster the votes, the Pastor would have had a number of responses, not the least of which was the illumination of the bigots themselves, as well as a Federal lawsuit.

This one crosses the aisle you liberals and conservatives. If there can be no agreement and continued punative attacks back and forth, one must really examine the state of mind of the anonymous minions that use these sites to boost there pathetic ego's. Anonymity breeds false power.

To: Devil's Son, you state "What is unfortunate is the fact that he never actually apologizes for the wrong committed. It just "unfortunate" and " a learning experience". That is not a apology. A apology needs to include an admission of guilt or that a wrong has been committed. As a black man he should be ashamed of what was done under his spiritual guidance."

The individual (black man) who said it was "unfortunate" and a "learning experience" was not the pastor of that church (who may have been a black man, but I doubt it based on the story). THAT individual was Rev. Fred Luter, the first black head of the Southern Baptist Convention. But, yes, you would think that the HEAD of the convention, a black man himself, would have more insightful comments to make.

All the more reason why I am ever so glad I left these exclusionary denominations behind long ago....being a christian in this day and age, with idiots running rampant among the churches, is a total waste of time in my book.

Geeez. If they won't marry African-Americans, I wonder how they feel about Mormons? They're liable to greet the missionaries on their front porch with a double-barreled sawed-off.

Hey, hey ya'll, chill. Everywhere I read it say's there is no racism in America.....LOL!!!

These white, Southern Baptist Christians in that Mississippi church, are probably descendants of the same white Southern Baptist Christian men who used to hold their Bibles in one hand, and the hand of their 4/5/6/7 year old sons in their other hand, while watching a lynched black man burn while hanging from a tree.

I'm not going to read these posts here because I've already been insulted by reading other blogs about this, reading how some white folks still do not believe this is racism, a couple of people actually wrote, it had nothing to do with this couples race. How in God's name do these people come to that conclusion.

I wonder how they feel about Mormons? They're liable to greet the missionaries on their front porch with a double-barreled sawed-off.

I doubt that, matter of fact, I guarantee you, Mississippi is a RED state, and they WILL vote for Romney. Mississippi and Louisiana, two of the most racist, backwards states in the nation, just loves voting republican.

Jon, Your more right than even you may imagine, Mormonism is perceived to be a cult in the heart of Dixie and many a preacher has already wound up the congregate in favor of Obama, Even the white churches, I heard it with my own two ears this last Sunday Morning.

There is only one word that begins with the letter "U" that can be applied to this situation. Hint: it is not "unfortunate".

Unacceptable, I daresay...

"Unfortunate"? Yes, it certainly IS "unfortunate". But characterizing the situation with such a mealy-mouthed term is hardly indicative of moral leadership.

Reverend Luter seems to be reluctant to step up and label the situation for what it actually is, namely, racist, mean-spirited, immoral, and hateful.

I'm sure that Reverend Luter would be quick to use his pulpit to condemn acts that he deems immoral....but he didn't condemn this one, did he?

Maybe the Devil made him do it? Or just self-preservation of a cush job?

What I don't understand is if it were only a small minority of the congregation that felt that way and the majority of the congregation supported the couple being able to marry there then what did the pastor have to fear about being voted out? It seems that he was a spineless coward who refused to take a stand for what he KNEW and BELIEVED to be right. He has shown himself less like Christ and more like Pontius Pilate in this regard. Pilate wanted to release Jesus but gave into the pressure of crowd. This pastor wanted to conduct the wedding in this church but gave in to the pressure of the congregation.

Moshuluu. I agree with most of what you said, but don,t put the hate on a political party. There is hate on both sides. Being white or black is also not an issue, there is racial hatred on both sides.

Gee what planet are members of this congregation from? Didn't they get Christ's message...that God loves everyone, that under the eyes of God we are all equal, that we are all created in the image of God. This was and, in some ways, still is the ugly truth about Southern Baptists. They didn't want to hear the real message. Those who discriminate are not Christian.

I want to know who the 'few' are that objected in the first place. Let them face the public and voice their opinions. We'll write them down and call it the Gospel of Bigots.

If it was just a 'small' minority of people, then why was the pastor worried about being shown the door? Sounds like Mississippi still has a major(ity) problem with bigotry and ignorance. Then again, we are talking about religion though.

Too bad we have no politicians with the guts to suggest legislation to force churches to pay taxes.

Actually, we need to tax their asses right out of existence because religion is nothing more than social poison anyway. Just look around the world if you need proof of that. You can even pick the century!

More people have been tortured, killed, and tormented by religion than any other war or disease.

I am sure this Baptist leader feels like Michael Steele.

There is much missing from the story... any one researched this to get further details... I'm assuming a All white church, with a white pastor... was going to marry a black couple ( who agreed to have it in the same church) was refused. ??? This is obvious racism but it seems the outcry should be "more pronounced". MMMM is it me are is there something missing in this story.... (Other than Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson) The were all over Treyvon... what a bunch of spineless ministers. This is not Christ.

Vince - well put

rrobeson - even if his job really was in danger, it is no excuse. A pastor is supposed to lead, not be lead. I never understood how anyone could go to a church where they hired their own pastor; that just means they hire someone to tell them what they want to hear.

Racism. Still sadly alive and well today. This is one reason I will never move back to Mississippi. I learned when I lived there that it is the village idiot of the USA.

The only way the culture will change is if there is a massive infusion of people from the coasts. Besides, the rent is too damn high in some of those coastal areas partly due to a highly dense population. Maybe what we need is a population redistribution. Spread and even out the people across the country.

SOme in the SOuth are reluctant to acccept the results of the Civil War and to let go of their cherished institutions (like slavery)Happppily the page has turned on them.

The "small minority" who opposed this wedding needs to be "outed" so they can explain exactly why they opposed it (though they'd almost surely be too cowardly to tell the truth). As for the pastor, he should be thrown out of the ministry for lack of leadership.

Wow - they are still hung up on race issues? What will they do when they hear about gay marriage?

C'mon in this day & age people are still so filled with such bigotry? Apparently some still have not advanced and moved past this stage- sad.

Now if this were any place except Mississippi it would be news.

You got to love those republican Christians, God bless them all.

Mississippi and the 21st Century? Oil and water.

I'll tell you what is unfortunate. The time I washed my white t shirts and socks with a yellow blanket. I agree with an old Son House lyric. "I'm gonna become a Baptist minister...so I don't have to work". This guy is just keeping his "job=$$$$" instead of pointing out the truth. Didn't that used to be called an Oreo in the black community?

There is much missing from the story... any one researched this to get further details... I'm assuming a All white church, with a white pastor... was going to marry a black couple ( who agreed to have it in the same church) was refused. ??? This is obvious racism but it seems the outcry should be "more pronounced". MMMM is it me are is there something missing in this story.... (Other than Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson) The were all over Treyvon... what a bunch of spineless ministers. This is not Christ.

Not that I'm trying to excuse this, but there probably IS more to this story - I got married 23 years ago, and at the time my Mother wanted me to marry in HER church. I attended that church occasionally, but was not a member. Now, it was a majority (possibly totally) white church, and both me and my husband are white. However, he was/is Catholic, and attended a Catholic church nearby. Well it got back to me that some people in my Mother's church were unhappy with our being married there, since we weren't regular members, so I ended up getting married in a Catholic church even though at the time I wasn't Catholic. (Interestingly, my Mother's preacher co-officiated the wedding, it was a beautiful and interesting ceremony.) So, possibly it had to do with the fact that the couple weren't "members." Of course, maybe they weren't members because of their race, I don't know. If I were them I'd attend the church that I DID get married in (which is what I ended up doing - becoming Catholic), where I'm clearly WANTED. There's LOTS of churches in Mississippi.

When gay couples have to face the same prejudices, where's your outrage??

They may not want to marry a Black couple in their "whites only" church, but I'll bet that every one of them will support Romney --- who isn't even a Christian.

SSSOOOOOOo the pastor is a racist?

To each his own.

I guess no one objected to their regular attendance and contributions to the collection plate. Racism is alive and well in the good old U.S.A. These whites in that church ought to be deeply ashamed of themselves. What a sorry bunch, and as Chris (#1.42) pointed out, they'll all be voting for Romney--they'll be sorrier yet.

I'll bet if you put a black man on a $100.00 bill the "racism" will stop as fast as you can say Jack Robinson. At least as far as the collection plate is concerned. With money "It's all good".

Dick, this actually sounds more like members of the Robert Byrd wing of the Democrat Party!

You know, since this conversation has turned to Mitt Romney, Evangelical Protestants are going to have a very interesting choice of marraige values to vote for this election. Gay marraige, or Polygamy?

"Hmmm, I think I'll go with Polygamy since I'm sexist and think all gays should disappear from the face of the Earth."

In the Catholic church, trickle-down bigotry, in which the Cardinals are more intolerant than the congregation.

In this case, grassroots bigotry, in which the Congregation dictate their intolerance to the pastor.

Maybe Christians of all stripes should be intolerant........of bigotry and stupidity.

It seems that the preacher should have a higher obligation than his congregation.

Even though it's a non-profit, non-tax paying enterprise. someone needs to call the ACLU and the Department of Justice.

A clearer case of Hate Crime, I've never seen the likes of. At the very least, they should lose their tax exempt status because they aren't a real church.

Sue those aholes until it hurts so bad they fold up and wither away.

I don't suppose that church and it's members have ever heard the term Racial Discrimination and that there is a cost for it.

For all of you who say "this isn't Christian" "this isn't Christ"; yes it is. It is the full on manifestation of exactly what mainstream Christianity is today. Bigoted. Devisive. Exclusionary. Remember that log in your eye, "Christians." It just gets bigger every year.

This incident goes to show that in some places racism is very much alive. It is really a shame though!

Wow, and this response is from the "good ones", the ones that fear God and attend church in a regular basis, then some white people tell blacks that "there is no racism, so don't pull the race card".

This is just another chip falling out of the foundation of organized religion in our time. The Bible book of Revelation has an interesting prophecy that plays into this situation. The three major elements of society are the governments, big business, and religion. In the Bible book of Revelation, the religious element of the world under control of the Devil is described as a great harlot named Babylon the Great. She is described as fornicating (or having an improperly close relationship) with the kings of the earth. The God will put the thought into the mind of the kings of the earth to completely destroy Babylon the Great.

Even now, as human society comes to relize the hypocrisy and uselessness of organized religion, we draw ever closer to the destruction of it. That being said, organized religion is a tool of the Devil to mislead people into doing his will. Hence, God hates organized religion as much as sincere, thinking people do.

Unbelievable. That's a real testimony for Christianity isn't it?

Unbelievable. That's a real testimony for Christianity isn't it?

No i would say its back woods racist hicks being racist hicks.. Seems the racist hicks made what they call a church so they can all be racist together and somehow try to justify it..

It's the lack of integrity that has sunk religion. Of course he listened to the few. They own the building, contribute the most, always have been the real church there....The congregation kicks them out, they'll foreclose....lmao...Don't you even know, by now how, these vile men operate? Oh they'll take the tithe of the blacks tho'.......Steele is like that. Being screwed daily by white bigots and somehow still thinks they like him. The GOP keeps him around for a human shield, no more.

When gay couples have to face the same prejudices, where's your outrage??

That a church has the right to refuse to violate its religion? its called freedom of religion and the separation of church and state. I hate the fact they did this to this couple but on the same note you cant force a church to violate its religion.

Okay, so Lumpy Rutherford or whatever his name is, the head shaman of that southern baptist spookhouse, said he wouldn't marry the black couple in their own church because a "small, vocal minority" make lots of squeaking noises. If they were such a small minority, why - instead of marrying the couple in another church - didn't he tell them that they were to take their bibles and stuff them up their dupas and get out because now they were excommunicated? Imagine the favorable publicity for the southern baptist religion if that would've happened. The "reverend" Lumpy Rutherford or whatever would've received hundreds of thousands in donations for his sweatlodge.

People need to chill honestly.

They were a minority in the church. Baptists are not racist, and the South isnt one big Klan meeting. There are racists everywhere you go. Hell, even the WBC doesnt believe in racism, and you know how hateful they are. The fact that the head of the church organization is black should tell you about the progress in ending the racism.

And if you read other reports, the pastor didnt just move the ceremony because he was afraid of loosing his job, he was also afraid that the minority would ruin the couples wedding and they all thought it would be best to just move.

The bad guys in this are the racists in the church. No more, no less. I hope the pastor points them out and tries to make them change their ways.

Unfortunate or not, it tells me to stay as far away from the Southern Baptist Convention as I can get.

It does not really matter what side of the fence you are on, this whole action is deplorable.

I only hope that the couple involved will move on down the road and try to do their best to get over it...IF the Press will let them. This kind of emotional upheaval goes against the very fibre of my being. Once you have seen an emotional snake (and this is), dealing with it is really simple if it has no rattles. Crush it.

I seem to be very angry! Why is that?

@Arsenic-2609663 Come on Man.... (apt name... poison) It was the "mainstream" who spoke out against it.... (not worthy of further comment)

Racism is against god's will??? Apparently hate towards others is ok with him though.

Focus people, please.

One guy and a few followers acted like idiots. Not all christians, white people, southern people or republicans are responsible for this. That's like saying all black people are responsible for Obama's failed policies.

Regardless, it's their church, let them do it they way they want to. If the community disagrees, they will suffer enough for it.

Wow. Wow.... I didn't think Mississippi was in any danger of being mistaken for holding progressive ideals, but I also didn't think anyone or any group could come across as being more backwards than what the stereotypes portray them as. Wow!

And you, Pastor Weatherford... your job is to tend to your flock not the bigoted, hate-filled Neanderthals who masquerade as Christians. Morality FAIL! Your God is proud of you, I'm sure....

Hit Girl, This is either the Mississippi of old, or the Mississippi of the new Tea Party. I think we are watching a move to go backwards toward the days of Jim Crow. Just look at all the new laws passed to prevent black people from voting, Is this 2012 or 1954?

NFIL,

You apparently don't know the difference between marriage and holy matrimony. Marriage is a contract written by the government for two people who wish to wed. Holy matrimony is a church's sanction of that marriage. Interracial marriage (or gay marriage, or whatever) is allowed by the state. That doesn't mean it has to be sanctioned by the church.

@NFIL:

A church is a private club, with their own rules. They may write their own rules to exclude whoever they want.

Denver Bill-the article said it was a black couple, not interracial. The couple had been attending the church, but were not officially members. I'm sure the preacher man had no trouble taking the Sunday collection money from them. So even though he had been asked by them to marry them, he neglected to inform them until the day before the wedding that they couldn't marry at his church due to a SMALL minority of members. So it's not as cut and dried as you put it.

Where is Jesse and Al?? Why don't these 2 bruthas stand up for their own?

Newsflash: ALL churches should have non-profit revoked. We wouldn't have a deficit if these untaxed political parties paid their fair share.

Where is Jesse and Al?? Why don't these 2 bruthas stand up for their own?

Odd, they are usually accused of race-baiting when they do exactly that.

AlexG-1904848

@NFIL:

A church is a private club, with their own rules. They may write their own rules to exclude whoever they want

That is the same sentiment that buggered a few thousand faithful altar boys over the last 30 years.

Well, not that fine as apparently it was only a very small minority who objected. The blame falls more squarely on the pastor who failed to stand up to them.

I would bet damn near anything that the lowlife slime that is at the core of this are easily identifiable by the rest of the flock. People with the gall to pull this are not going to be subtle in their everyday behavior. They obviously feel comfortable enough in their pathetic lives to start this, so perhaps there should be some light shined upon the roaches?

They probably didnt want their church spray painted

Thanks for the stereo type, Ghandi.

As someone who is a church elder in a different denomination, I can say that this is the experience I've had in my church as well... so it wouldn't surprise me in the least.

I hope that someone will point out to the 'few' that THEIR ancestors walked out of Africa, too. Just a few years earlier. Jesus was a Jew with the dark skin and hair that goes along with it.

If the people wanting to be married were not members of the church, then I can understand why the congregation might not be happy about it. However, if that's the rule, then it must be enforced for everyone - want a wedding here amongst the bigots? Y'all gotta become one, too!

I think he was referring to the SBC denomination at large. Each church can make their own rules, I guess.

The baptist demon leader has spoken on behalf of the rest of the baptist demons. He softened the forked snake tongue where the Holy Spirit is absent as it has always been the case. Baptists and the SBC particularly the fundamentalist excrements of those denominations are not Christians. They are a pseudochristian cult, a carricature of the true Christianity and are considered as such by the historical churches particularly the Orthodox churches.

Be careful not to group all Southern Baptists into that category. We can all agree that "those of the faith of Abraham" come from many denominations. Each denomination has its share of hypocrites who don't actually follow what the Bible says.

I agree with Thinkbit. This is not christianity. This is a bunch of southern rednecks, bigoted and playing by their own rules. Cheap, nasty people. Hit these MFs where it hurts, in the pocketbook. Sue them, it's the american way, and the only way they will understand.

I was raised Russian Orthodox and when you walk into such a church, you feel spiritual. There are no memberships, or money collections. There are some candles at the entrance that you can light, and if you take a candle you may donate some money. Just a bowl sitting unattended. It is quiet, and peaceful, full or icons and hand-painted art. Feels like a house of God. I've also been to other churches that felt to me like a social club. Brand new compounds with no character popping up across the street from each other, taking down trees for their gigantic parking lots. All the creature comforts and not one thing to inspire spirituality other than maybe a big showy cross at the podium. You pay dues, you can buy coffee in the lobby, you lunch, you get all dressed up to impress the other "members." These clubs house some of the most un-Christian people you have ever met. Greedy, secretive, and bigotted. They attend "church" so they can network, or marry their sons and daughters to other greedy bigots. They sing all the hymns and then go home and cheat on their spouses or cheat their clients out of hard-earned money. And I'm not even talking about the preachers and the boards of directors who handle the money and the rampant greed and corruption that goes on. I stopped going to church. There isn't an Orthodox church close to me, and I feel like at some of these other "churches" I am actually farther from God and spirituality than anywhere else.

what would Jesus do?

Whoa! I live in a trailer, have a BA and voted for President Obama, and will do so again. Please keep an open mind! I'm disgusted that the preacher buckled under, instead of bringing the entire congregation together to talk about the situation. And to wait until almost the last moment; bad manners and complete lack of courtesy shown to the couple illuminate him as well as the minority who denied their fellow Christians.

jerry from pa: so you're in favor of not marrying the couple? otherwise your post makes no sense

Rather than call Rev. Luter a "A Big Bag-O-Wind", I would say he took a volatile situation and addressed it eloquently. He acknowledged that Pastor Weatherford was in an awkward situation and tried to turn it into a teachable moment. No blustery commentary on racism, just a modest response.

John in NW PA - Racism and Hate is what it was - pure and simple. Those church-goers are supposed to be following God's commandment to love one another. Was that love? No Thus they are showing by their actions and the hatred in their hearts that they support Satan side - not God's.

The Rev danced around the issue like a boxer trying to doge a hit. It is what it is - call them out for their outrageous, hateful, hypocritical behavior and THEN maybe they will learn from it!

Southern Baptists are the biggest bigots and hypocrites in this country. When I was a child, my pastor tried to convince me that the physical handicap I was born with, was in fact, a punishment from God for all the "evil" things my parents did. Like having sex before marriage, and conceiving a child out of wedlock (me), etc.

Never mind my handicap was from my mother being struck by a drunk driver, that sociopath who called himself a man of God, actually believed what he was telling me... that I somehow DESERVED to be punished, because my very existence was a sin in the eyes of the Church.

I've never gone back, and I will never again trust the word of a so-called Christian.

Stephen, I agree. I am from Bronx, New York, and moved to Virginia formy husbands job. I was brought up catholic, only because in my neighborhood, we were mostly Irish, Italian, or both, and it came with the territory. I am not religious though at all, but wanted to try to get the kids involved with other kids, per my in-laws request. So we had gone to a couple of baptist churches because to be honest, it was all I could find down here. They were very out there. The vibe I had gotten was if your not white and completely kiss their ass and follow exactly what they say you should, we dont want you here and you are the devil. They, in my experience and opinion, are extremeists, and racist to boot. But, racism comes in all locations and all colors.  But there truly is no need for it

Please stop with this drivel - Like it or not, homosexuality is branded as sin in the bible. This instance was between a man and a woman who happened to be black (last I checked, being black was not a sin). Whether you choose to believe in the bible or not is your call. However, a church is a religious institution guided by this very book. Why don't you stop trying to force _YOUR— beliefs down their throats?

live - comment 15.1 - it's still a case, though, of the church doing what it wants to do, without government interference. You either have freedom to have your church function the way you want, or you don't. What Moses' Book of Fairy Tales has to say about any particular subject isn't the issue. If the government gets involved, it would still a real government attack on religion.

Don't trip over your *OWN* bigotry there, pal

the good minister seems to prefer the days when ''their blacks'' marriage ceremony involved ''jumping the broom''. sometimes it behoves the spiritual leader to actually lead regardless of what his parish members want. he now isn't a spiritual leader but a coerced follower.

Apparently, the reason was because the church's over 100 years of existence had never wed and African American couple. They didn't want to do something that was "unprecedented" in their congregation I guess. It's just horrible!

Please, as I respect all races, I still have a problem with the African-American thing. American. Period, that's it. Either you were born here, or in Africa, there is no in between. I am an American with Italian and Irish descent. Americans can also have African descent, but there is no such thing as an African American. If that be the case, the next time Im filling something out and it asks me my race, I better be able to check a friggin box that says Italian, Irish- American!!! Im not racist as you will read in my other posts, this is just one of those thorns in my side. Jus saying, this is my opinion.

The church may not belong to the "money hounds" but this country sure does!!!

That's why Hell is going to be full of "so called christians"...The bible says everybody that says Lord, Lord will not enter into the kingdom of heaven...They think that going to church every Sunday and paying their tithes will get them into heaven...The bible also states, "How can you say you love God whom you've never seem but hate your brother who you see daily"...If you do that, you are a murderer and a liar...They're not fooling no one but themselves...They are going to be in for a big surprise on judgement day; when God seperate "the sheep from the goats".... Sounds like a bunch of goats to me....

This "church" said no to marrying this black couple, arguing it has never held such a ceremony since it opened in 1883. This statement begs the question, has this church had anyone get married since 1883 since it has not had a ceremony of this such? Obviously, if two are of the right "color," it's okay.

What else have we NOT had since 1883. I don't think we had too many automobiles. Does this congregation still bring their horse and buggy to work, church, shopping, etc? I know some parts of the world had electricity, but I'm not too sure about their neck of the woods. And I know they didn't have air conditioning, do they not have that today, as well? In the 1880s, indoor plumbing was not a standard. Immunizations, vaccines, "modern" medicine didn't exist. We won't even talk about simple things like Bic pens, hand sanitizer, or (heaven forbid)--television or the internet. This list could go on and on.

So what's so special about 1883 and clinging to that date like the stagnant anchor that it is? The reality is that the date is an excuse to be a hateful bigot; a false landmark to tie one's so-called "beliefs" to; some sort of sleight of hand that says this (somewhat ancient) history is more important than reality.

The really good news is that most of the things I've listed above are excellent ways to defeat this kind of stupid, bigoted, vile and hateful behavior. We are currently on the internet. Television is an excellent medium to get the word out. That ink pen is very useful to write down the names, addresses, etc., of the parishioners of this so-called church and tell everyone what and who they are. It's a great way to shun these backward beasts. They should get a good, solid taste of what they are slinging, and it can be dipped from their backdoor outhouses.

This abominable behavior needs to stop today, immediately, now. Bigotry, racism, and all the other ugly words that divide us need to be put away in a catalog of inappropriate behaviors.

Please note, I have not attacked any religion. This is not about religion, it's about a group of people who want to continue some mean and desperate agenda that they believe, somehow, makes them better than everyone else. Unfortunately, I've got some bad news for them--the whole congregation of the First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs (all are guilty by association) will need to come up with something different to meet that goal. Currently, they are at the bottom at the barrel, and they are rotten.

Well said Zapper!

That's the problem with you white and black folk, you both think you're superior to the other when in reality, you're niether.

God is superior period. White man is not God, nor is the black man or any other race for that matter. You racists continue with this "superior" complex and keep messing things up. God is going to pour out His rightous indignation upon those who behave as though they are "babylon". God is King of kings and Lords of lords. For anyone to say they won't marry someone because of the color of their skin is the same as a damned hitler. Two wrongs don't and won't make a right, ever. The devil thought it was superior to it's creator and it was totally wrong. Stop following the "prince of the air" the devil, it will only lead to debauchery.

The last time I visited Mississippi 15 years ago, I felt like I had warped back in time to the 1960s. It is still one of the poorest, socially backwards states in our Republic, unfortunately, both in Christian and secular terms. As a S. Baptist myself, I find this church's position completely out of sync with the rest of the Southern Baptist churches throughout the south. With all this media coverage, it's obvious now to this pastor and this church that God is giving them a wake up call.

Timmer2: lol...your the pot calling the kettle black...

The problem is cocksucking christians that think they know what's wrong with everyone else.

that is it in a nutshell. If I were the one being told "it's not me, it's the congregation" I would run not walk away from the preacher who didn't have the moral fortitude to instruct his flock by example what it means to be a Christian.