Kentucky Church Bans Interracial Couples

With the new ploy of using the claim of "religious liberty" to justify anti-gay discrimination, I think we all knew that it was only a matter of time before this disingenuous ruse would move to the next logical level: Justifying racial bigotry. After all, if the "inerrant" Bible can be used to justify the marginalization and demonetization of LGBT citizens, why not grasp hold of Bible passages that justify the separation of the races? That's precisely what was done by the Gulnare Freewill Baptist Church in Pike County, Kentucky. The targets of the church's bigotry, Stella Harville and her fiancé, Ticha Chikuni, are pictured at left. This is, in my view, yet another example of the growing toxicity of conservative Christianity in America. Blogger friend, Pam Spaulding asked a telling question:

What century is this? This story intrigues me because it makes me wonder how many houses of worship are this racist in this day and age?

Unfortunately, I believe the answer is that many, many churches - especially in the South - are this racist. Look at Family Research Council's white supremacy loving leader, Tony Perkins, as a barometer of what's really going on behind the scenes of the "family values" crowd. Gulnare Freewill Baptist Church's big mistake was that these "godly Christians" were up front with their bigotry. Many are simply more subtle in how they discriminate. Here are highlights from the Herald-Leader's coverage:

Dean Harville said Melvin Thompson, who had been pastor for many years, told him in August that his daughter and her fiancé couldn't sing at the church again. Thompson stepped down as pastor in August, citing health issues, but he refused Harville's requests to drop the issue, Harville said.

The new pastor, Stacy Stepp, said the couple could sing at the church if they wanted, Harville said.

In early November, Thompson proposed the church go on record saying that while all people were welcome to attend public worship services there, the church did not condone interracial marriage, according to a copy of the recommendation supplied by the Harvilles.

The proposal also said "parties of such marriages will not be received as members, nor will they be used in worship services" or other church functions, with the exception of funerals.

The recommendation "is not intended to judge the salvation of anyone, but is intended to promote greater unity among the church body and the community we serve," the copy supplied to the Herald-Leader read.

Harville said he plans to ask the conference of churches to which Gulnare Freewill Baptist belongs to overturn the vote. Even if that happens, however, "I don't think I'll be able to go back there," his daughter said.

Contrary to the church's claim, it IS all about judging people. I'm sure I will catch hell for saying this, but I view hate based versions of conservative Christianity to be a growing cancer on American society. Under the First Amendment, such beliefs cannot be stopped, but the rest of society needs to start ostracizing such people for the foul bigots that they are.